Tag Archives: brownies

Baking with B: Chocolate Pudding Brownies

Posted on by
2

Isn’t it awesome when you can take something from your cupboard normally used for one thing and then make something completely different using that same thing?

If you don’t follow, then you obviously haven’t made these Chocolate Pudding Brownies where the secret ingredient is (not surprisingly) chocolate pudding. They’re super-soft and moist and honestly do kind of taste like chocolate pudding- if you bake them right, they have that soft, smooth pudding texture that gives the recipe its name. Apologies to brownie purists everywhere-my favorite brownie recipe is still this one-but for people that are short on time and looking for simple baking solutions, this is definitely one you should add to your roster.

Chocolate Pudding Brownies (makes 25 squares)

6 tbsp butter, softened

2/3 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 box instant chocolate pudding powder (4-serving size)

Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth before beating in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift together flour and chocolate pudding powder. Combine with wet ingredients just until moistened. Spread evenly in a greased 8×8-inch pan and bake for 30 minutes until pick inserted in center comes out moist, not wet, with batter.

B’s Tip: Depending on how hot or cold your oven runs, you may want to check up on these babies frequently to make sure you don’t over-bake them. They’re still pretty tasty if you do, but the texture comes out kind of gummy and spongy instead of cake-y and moist.

These brownies are so ooey, gooey good that you should wait until they cool before cutting and serving, but if you just can’t wait why not pair one with your favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt for a brownie-licious sundae? Just add whipped cream and chocolate sauce and you’re good to go! Brownie points if you top it with a maraschino cherry. (See what I did there?!)

Happy baking!

B

Baking with B appears every other Monday on the Keeping Busy with B Blog. Find out why I like baking so much here. For more of my baking, click here. And for even more recipe inspiration, check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

Baking with B: Rocky Road Sour Cream Brownies

Posted on by
11

_mg_0826

I confess I used to be one of those people that scoffed at the idea Valentine’s Day. Like those other haters, I believed it was too commercialized, and I resented feeling excluded all of those years I was single on February 14.

As I’ve gotten older and found it more difficult to keep up with all of my personal relationships, I’m starting to realize those greeting card companies might be onto something. There just aren’t a lot of opportunities for romance amidst today’s hustle and bustle unless you make the time for it. Sure, ideally you’d like to show your partner your appreciation every day, but now I think there’s something to be said for putting aside a day once a year for doing something special.

That’s why I’m starting to think Valentine’s Day is really for those in long-term relationships- those relationships that are filled with chores and kids and bills and all those other wonderful things life throws your way as an adult. Those couples need a day like this. They need a way to make things extra-special.

Kind of like these brownies. My chocolate brownies are kind of a staple in my household, and yet when do I ever get the opportunity to jazz them up a little? Valentine’s Day seemed like the perfect excuse to bake this ooey-gooey, junked-up version. The result? A brownie that’s perfect for your favorite chocoholic, or for anyone that you want to feel special.

Rocky Road Sour Cream Brownies (makes 25)

Brownie Base:

1/2 c. butter, melted

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. flour

1/3 c. cocoa

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c. sour cream

Rocky Road Topping:

1/2 c. milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. mini marshmallows

1/2 c. slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium-sized bowl, cream together butter, sugar and vanilla. Beat in eggs one at a time until frothy, then use a spoon to add sour cream and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until fully combined. Bake in a greased 8-inch pan for approximately 35 minutes.

Remove brownies from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips, marshmallows and almonds (in that order) over top, taking care to distribute evenly. Return to the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes more, or until marshmallows get puffy and golden. Let the brownies cool at least 10-15 minutes before cutting.

B’s Tip: The sour cream brownie base makes these treats really soft at first, so it’s based to wait until brownies are just about cool for the cleanest, neatest cuts. But who am I kidding? Chocolate is chocolate, and these taste good pretty much any which way.

Happy baking!

B

KBwB-Flower-50Baking with B appears every other Monday on the Keeping Busy with B Blog. Find out why I like baking so much here. For more of my baking, click here. And for even more recipe inspiration, check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

Baking with B: White Chocolate Fudge Bars

Posted on by
2

You guys know me and how I’m just a wee bit obsessed with brownies. My love affair started with chocolate, and continued with these butterscotch ones my mom used to make, and evolved so that I adapted the chocolate brownie recipe to suit the dietary needs of my vegan friends. Of course, this hasn’t stopped me from experimenting with even more flavor combinations (maybe I’ll share some more in an upcoming post?) but for now I couldn’t resist trying this chocolate, fudgey variety that taste just as good as they sound.

White Chocolate Fudge Bars (makes 16)

1/2 cup unsalted butter

8oz white chocolate chips (or your favorite white chocolate bar)

3/4 cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350F. Melt the butter with the white chocolate using a double boiler, by heating it in a glass bowl in the microwave, or by making your own makeshift double boiler.

B’s Tip: To make your own double-boiler, fill a small saucepan a third of the way full with water. Set a bowl on top (not plastic) and make sure it’s big enough to rest on the rim of the pot without fully being immersed in the water at the bottom. Place the butter and white chocolate in the bowl. Bring the saucepan to a boil on the stove. Stir gently and watch the mixture melt like magic!

Add sugar to the butter/chocolate mixture and mix well. Mix in the salt, vanilla, and eggs until incorporated. Stir in flour until well combined. Spread batter into a greased 8″ pan. Bake for 28 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Happy baking!

B

KBwB-BFlower-50

Baking with B appears every other Monday on the Keeping Busy with B Blog. Find out why I like baking so much here. For more of my baking, click here. And for even more recipe inspiration, check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.

Baking with B: Vegan Brownies

Posted on by
Reply

Chopped Chocolate

With so many friends becoming health-conscious recently, I just had to dig out this old favourite from my high school days. We had one vegan in our group of friends and it became a tradition to bring cruelty-free treats to every party he attended. Plus, all the fruit in them makes me feel a whole less guilty about eating them because they’re healthier, right? At least that’s what I tell myself so I can sleep easier at night.

Vegan Brownies

10 oz. applesauce (bonus points if you have some homemade!)

8 oz. cocoa powder or baking chocolate, melted

¼ tsp salt

2 c. sugar

1 banana

1 1/3 c. flour

2 c. chocolate chips (approximately)

Beat the above with a fork until smooth. Pour into a square 8×8” pan for traditional square brownies. Bake at 350F for 35 minutes.

B’s Tip: Not all chocolate chips are created equally! Make sure you use chocolate chips that don’t contain any milk or milk by-products to make this recipe as vegan-friendly as possible. There are also plenty of other vegan, health-conscious substitutions out there such as cocoa nibs that would also probably taste really great, especially because the sugar content of these babies is already so high.

Unlike these chocolate brownies that I usually make, these ones have a slightly fruity flavor and are very moist and sticky. I’m looking forward to enjoying them with my favorite new vegan discovery- ice cream that’s made from coconut milk. I’ll update you as soon as I’ve tried one. Or two. Or five.

Happy baking!

B

KBwB-Flower-50

Baking with B appears every other Monday on the Keeping Busy with B Blog. Find out why I like baking so much here. For more of my baking, click here. And for even more recipe inspiration, check out my Pinterest full of food eye candy that will have you licking your computer. Promise.