Tag: brownies

Perfect 15-Minute Brownies

Published on by serendipitybysaralynn5 Comments

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The more I blog about food, the more I realize the virtue in simplicity.  When I first started blogging about food, I tried to be “out there” and “different” with my recipes, which sometimes worked in my favor and sometimes didn’t.  Over the years, I have come to realize that food is better when the natural flavors are vividly present.  Food photography is far more attractive when there’s not 20 props in the shot.  Seeing food in a more natural state is so much more appealing than when it’s edited to oblivion and covered with cutesy clip-art images.

That is not to say that I don’t like to try crazy recipes or eat foods with more complex flavors.  The best part about food is that it is so versatile and that options are limitless.  However, food is also better when it complements each other, not just when a bunch of delicious foods are thrown together.  I like pizza and ice cream, but does that mean I want pizza ice cream?  (The answer is no if you haven’t guessed already).

The whole point of ramble is that food is amazing and can definitely be an outlet for creativity; but that doesn’t mean that it has to be insanely complex.  Sometimes, I just want a regular brownie.  Not a cheesecake brownie.  Not an orange-and-thyme-infused brownie (not a real thing, but it could be).  Just a brownie.

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When you are in the mood for Just a Brownie, this is the go-to recipe.  Please don’t go to the store and buy a boxed mix, because odds are, you already have brownie ingredients in your home, and these are so much better.  They also only take 15 minutes to put together (I timed it).  After the batter is made, all you have to do is wash the 3 dishes the recipe requires and watch an episode of Seinfeld, and the brownies are already done!

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Your mission this weekend, should you choose to accept it, is to make these brownies.  Brownies are the perfect Sunday project without a huge time commitment (did I already mention that they only take 15 minutes to mix together), and they come out tasting pretty much like fudge mixed with cake.  I’d highly recommend serving them with ice cream, but that’s just one girl’s opinion on the matter…

Also, I threw some walnuts and hazelnuts on top of mine, because I’m a professional, but you definitely don’t have to.

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XO SaraLynn

*Song of the Day: Something Good This Way Comes by Jakob Dylan

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Fudgy Brownies with Cookie Dough Topping

Published on by serendipitybysaralynn2 Comments

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Hello everyone!

Let me just start off by saying that these are delicious.  I started with my fudge brownie recipe and then experimented with the cookie dough top until it came out how I wanted.

This weekend is prom, so when I was trying to decide what I was going to make for our post prom bonfire, I decided it had to be something chocolate-y and classic.  And thus cookie dough topped fudge brownies were born!

I taste tested one today (just to make sure they weren’t poisonous, of course) and they were delicious!  I know my friends will approve.  Plus, they were so simple to make so they’re great for a last minute dessert for a pot luck or a party.

Check out the end for vegan and gluten free options!

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They make about 15 big brownies, but they are super rich so I would make them smaller, maybe about 24 squares.  It really is hard to finish a whole one.

Ingredients:

Brownies:

3/4 c. cocoa powder

1/4 c. vegetable oil

1/2 c. semi sweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 sticks butter

2 c. sugar

3 eggs

1-1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 c. flour

3/4 c. nuts, chocolate chips, etc. (optional)

Cookie Dough:

1 stick butter

3/4 c. white sugar

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. flour

1 pinch salt

1 Tbs. milk (if needed)

1/2 c. chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350* F.  In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder and oil until it resembles melted chocolate.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate chips until smooth.  Add the cocoa powder mix until incorporated.  Stir sugar in the butter and chocolate until it starts to slightly dissolve.

Mix eggs and vanilla into the mixture until it’s not separated.  Whisk in flour and nuts/chocolate chips if you’re adding any.  I personally did not.

Spoon into greased 9×13 pan and smooth until it is even.

Bake for about 25-30 minutes depending on your oven.

Meanwhile, for the cookie dough, combine butter and sugars.  Cream until the sugar is almost completely dissolved.  Here’s where it gets tricky.  If you don’t want it to be grainy, you will have to mix it for quite a while.  However, since most of the cookie dough that we love eating straight from the bowl is grainy, it will taste more genuine if you don’t.  I like mine slightly grainy because it reminds me of baking cookies with my mom when I was little, but of course go with your preference.

Next add the vanilla, flour, and salt.  If it’s too thick, add the milk.

Fold in the chocolate chips.

To assemble, you can do like I did, cut the brownies, and just spoon a few blobs of cookie dough on there.  You could also spread it out across the whole brownie pan and then cut it.  Either way rocks!  Garnish with more chocolate chips.

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I’m not kidding when I say that these are the most chocolate-y fudgy brownies ever.  They’re my go to recipe for any brownie recipe and everyone always love them.  Plus, with cookie dough.  Yes. (By the way, the last picture was my attempt to show you how truly fudgy they are.  I don’t know if it worked, but at least take my word!

  • Gluten Free: Replace AP flour with rice flour, coconut flour, quinoa flower, etc.
  • Vegan/Vegetarian: Replace eggs with applesauce or tofu.  Replace dairy milk with coconut milk.  Use vegan chocolate chips in place of regular.

And a Happy Mother’s Day to all you wonderful moms out there!  I know I wouldn’t be anywhere without mine and I’m so grateful that I have her.  I can’t wait to give her the gift she’s been wanting and spend the day with her!  What do you guys do for Mother’s Day?

Also, let me know how you guys like this recipe!

XOXO Sara