Basic Brownies With 4 Variations Recipes

BASIC BROWNIES AND VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with foil, letting foil extend above pan on 2 sides. Coat with nonstick spray.
• Whisk flour, cocoa and baking powder in a medium bowl until thoroughly blended.
• Melt butter and the 1 cup chocolate chips in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring as needed. Remove form heat; whisk in sugar, then eggs and vanilla until blended. Scrape into flour mixture; stir until smooth. Stir in the 1/2 cup chips. Spread in prepared pan.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
• Lift foil by ends onto cutting board. Cut into 16 squares.
• Brownie Sundaes: Prepare Basic Brownies through step 5. Cut into 9 squares. Chocolate Sauce: Bring 1/3 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Remove from heat; add 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; stir until chocolate melts and sauce is smooth. Top each brownie with a scoop of ice cream, then warm chocolate sauce.
• Brownie Pizza: Coat a 12 inch pizza pan with nonstick spray. Prepare Basic Brownies batter; spread in prepared pan. Sprinkle the 1/2 cup chocolate chips around edge. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle 1 cup white chocolate chips in middle, let stand 5 minutes until soft, then spread to edge of semisweet chips. Immediately sprinkle with crispy M & M's and gummy fruits (about 1/4 cup each). Let cool. Cut into 12 wedges.
• Brownie Drop Cookies: Coat foil-lined baking sheets with nonstick spray. Prepare Basic Brownies batter using only 1/2 stick butter or margarine. Stir in 1 cup each white chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes, then drop 1/4 cupfuls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake immediately for 12 minues or until cookies are puffed and shiny. Cool on foil 1 to 2 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Brownie Coffeecake: Streusel Topping: Put 1/2 cup each flour, light brown sugar and chopped pecans and 1/2 stick softened butter in a bowl. Work with a fork until coarse crumbs form; set aside. Coat a 9 inch springform pan with nonstick spray. Prepare Basic Brownies batter increasing flour to 1 1/4 cups, adding 1/2 teaspoon baking soda to the flour mixture and stirring in 3/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream after the eggs and vanilla. Spread in prepared pan; sprinkle with streusel. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.
• Brownie Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting: Line 12 regular muffin cups with paper or foil liners. Prepare Basic Brownies batter, adding a 3.8 oz box instant chocolate pudding to the ingredients in Step 2 and 2 extra large eggs in Step 3. Spoon into lined cups. Bake 30 to 33 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in cemters comes out with moist crumbs attached. Cool in pan on wire rack; remove from pan. Frosting: Mix 2 ounces softened cream cheese and 1/2 stick softened butter or margarine in a medium bowl. Add 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; stir with a rubber spatula until smooth and well blended. Spread on cooled cupcakes.

BASIC BROWNIES WITH 4 VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Basic Brownies:Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9 inch square baking pan with foil; coat with cooking spray. In bowl, mix butter into cocoa until smooth. Stir in sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and baking powder until combined. Spread in pan. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove brownies from pan to rack; cool completely.
• Ultra-Rich Frosting:On medium speed, beat 10 tablespoons butter (melted) and 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder until smooth. Gradually beat in 1 package (1 pound) confectioners sugar and 6 tablespoons milk until fluffy. Spread over brownies.
• Mexican Sundaes: Dissolve 2 tablespoons instant coffe granules in 1 tablesppon hot water. Prepare Basic Brownies, adding coffee mixture and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Top with dulche de leche ice cream, whipped cream and jimmies. Makes 16.
• Mint Truffle Cups: Line 42 mini muffin cups with mini cupcake liners. Prepare Basic Brownies; divide batter among cups. Unwrap 42 mint truffle kisses (from 10 ounce package). Press 1 kiss deep into center of each cupcake. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Transfer from pans to racks; cool. For frosting, on medium high, beat 10 tablespoons butter (at room temperature) until fluffy. Beat in 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, 1/8 teaspoon mint extract and 1 drop green food coloring until fluffy. Pipe or spread over brownies. Top with halved kisses. Makes 42.
• Peanut Butter Brownies: Cut 25 mini peanut butter cups into quarters. Whisk 2 tablespoons milk into 2 tablespoons peanut butter until smooth. Prepare Basic Brownies, stirring in 1 cup quartered peanut butter cups; spread in pan. Drop peanut butter mixture by tablespoonfuls over batter; swirl with knife. When brownies are removed from oven, sprinkle with remaining quartered peanut butter cups; cool. Makes 32.
• Triple-Chocolate Brownies: Prepare Basic Brownies, stirring in 1/2 cup mini M & Ms. For frosting, on medium high beat 1 cup butter (at room temperature) with 1 cup white chocolate chips (melted and cooled) until smooth. Beat in 2 cups confectioners' sugar and 3 tablespoons milk until fluffy. Spread over brownies. Sprinkle with mini M & Ms. Makes 32.