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Archive for December, 2009

These brownies are another one of my favorite creations that are made using a simple store-bought mix.   The macadamia nuts kick these brownies up a notch!

Ingredients:
1 package store brought brownie mix (+ eggs & oil)
1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Prepare the brownie batter according to the package directions.  Then fold in the macadamia nuts and chocolate chips.  Spread the batter evenly in a 9" x 9" square cake pan.  Set aside and make topping.

Topping:
3 oz softened cream cheese
2 Tbsp. softened butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp flour
1 egg
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (Guittard are my favorite)
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
1/3 cup chopped macadamia nuts

Cream together the sugar with the cream cheese, butter, and flour.  Mix in the egg.  Then add the chocolate chips, coconut, and macadamia nuts stirring until well combined.  Spoon the topping mixture over the brownie batter distributing as evenly as you can. Bake at brownies at 350 degrees F for 35 - 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean and the topping is golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.

If you're a fan of coconut macadamia nut brownies, then you'll definitely want to check out these other popular cookies.

My kids love these brownies and I love them just as much because they are SO easy to make!

Prepare a standard store-bought brownie mix as directed on the package except mix in one sleeve of crushed mint chocolate covered cookies* and 1 cup of chopped nuts into the batter. Bake as directed on the brownie package.

*For the crushed mint cookies, I've found two great options.  During girl scout season, I use their chocolate mint cookies.  The rest of the year, I use the chocolate-covered Oreos with mint filling.  In either case, I just place the cookies in a large plastic bag and then use my rolling pin to crush them prior to adding them to the brownie batter.

Another option is to stir in regular crushed Oreo cookies and bake as directed on the brownie box (I reserve about 3/4 crushed cookies for on top the brownies).  After the brownies have cooled, sprinkle them with the reserved crushed Oreos.  Then melt 1 cup of white baking chips in the microwave inside a small ziploc bag (takes maybe 25 seconds to melt). Cut a tiny hole in the corner of the bag and squeeze to create drizzles over the top of the brownies.  These Cookies n' Cream brownies are shown in the photo.

Find many other ways to spice up your brownies here!

My Dad loved German chocolate birthday cookie cake topped with that yummy coconut frosting that you can buy in a tub so this is a twist on that childhood favorite that my kids (and my Dad) love.  The homemade frosting is the key to these tasty treats that will surely become a favorite in your family as well.

Mix together 2 packages of brownies following the directions on the box to make the batter. Pour the batter into a large 10 x 15 jelly roll pan and bake at 350° F for the number of minutes shown on the box or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Remove brownies from the oven and cool.

Frosting Directions:

1 cup sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
3 egg yolks
½ cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

In a medium-size heavy saucepan, combine together the sugar, evaporated milk, egg yolks and butter bringing it to a boil over medium heat. As soon as the mixture boils, start the timer for 12 minutes (stirring constantly).  After the 12 minutes, remove the mixture from the heat and add the vanilla, coconut and pecans stirring constantly and cooling until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.  Be sure not to cool to far or you won't be able to easily frost the brownies.  Spread the frosting over the top of the brownies and then cut into squares to serve to guests.

For more flavorful brownie recipes, visit this page for "Kicked Up Brownie Recipes".

Making trifles has been one of my passions this year because we were invited to tons of potlucks. I've stopped making cookies and moved on to something more challenging. Nothing gets more ooh's and aah's than a layered trifle dessert. It looks like you spent hours making it, but secretly you know that it was super easy to make. This recipe for brownie trifle is one of the most requested recipes in my family. It is rich, creamy and just plain fantastic!

Directions:
1) Prepare 1 box (19.8 oz) of brownies according to the box directions for fudgy brownies. Bake, cool, and cut the brownies into bite-sized pieces (1" squares).

2) In a large glass bowl, prepare 3 boxes (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix according to the package directions. Personally, I use about 1 cup less milk (total) than the package suggests because I don't chill my pudding prior to assembly and that way I have the correct consistency.

3) Be sure to have a large tub of cool whip topping, thawed and a package of chocolate-covered toffee bits (can be found in the aisle near the bags of chocolate chips).

Now that you have all the ingredients ready to go, you can begin the assembly process. Using a 3 quart trifle bowl, place 1/3 of the brownie squares in the bottom, top that with 1/3 of the pudding, top that with 1/3 of the cool whip and finally put on 1/3 of the toffee bits. Repeat that layering process two more times, ending with a layer of the Heath bar toffee bits on top. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill for 8 to 24 hours. Makes 16-18 good size servings.

Another Idea - For parties attended by adults, I like to poke the baked warm brownies with a fork and pour on 1/3 cup of Kahlua. Then I cool the brownies and cut them into the 1" pieces following the rest of the directions as outlined above. Kahlua adds a nice flavor to the mix.

If you're looking for alternative versions of this recipe, check out Anti-Pie Dessert Recipes for more wonderful ideas.

If you love chocolate and cheesecake, you might find cream cheese swirled brownies just as delicious.  These yummy little morsels are great when they are served warm from the oven or heated slightly in the microwave.  They're just as easy as making cookies, but much more unique. Add a steaming cup of coffee and you are all set!

How To Make Them:

Buy a package of your favorite brownie mix and prepare the batter according to the directions on the box.  Then spread 1/2 the batter in the bottom of a 9" x 13" rectangular baking dish or cake pan.

Cream Cheese Swirl Ingredients:

6 oz. cream cheese, softened
5 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. flour

Using a hand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and sugar until well blended.  Then add the eggs and vanilla mixing well.  Finally mix in the flour until the entire cream cheese swirl mixture is smooth.  Drop the batter by teaspoonfuls over the pan of brownie batter.  Then pour the remaining half of the brownie mixture on top spreading evenly.  Using a knife held vertically, run the knife through the batter/cream cheese to create swirl patterns.  Bake the brownies according to the directions on the outside of the box (normally 350 degF for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean). Cool slightly and cut into squares for serving to guests.

If you love brownies, cookies and other desserts, check out the winter wishes dessert basket that is filled with all those goodies and more!