Basic Brownies And Variations Food

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.

CLASSIC BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on at least 2 sides. Butter the foil.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and salt in a medium bowl. Melt the butter and chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently. Let cool slightly. Stir in the sugar and eggs. Add the flour mixture, and stir to combine. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake until a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack. Use the foil overhang to help lift them out of the pan. Cut into 16 squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

QUICK AND EASY BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch pan.
• Combine the melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, eggs, flour, baking powder, and salt. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Decorate with walnut halves, if desired.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with crumbs, not wet. Cool on wire rack.

ONE BOWL BROWNIES (WITH VARIATIONS)

Steps:

• For Cake Like Brownies: Prepare as directed, stirring in 1/2 cup milk with the eggs and vanilla and increasing the flour to 1 1/2 cups.
• Microwave unsweetened chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Stir in sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add flour and pecans or walnuts; stir until well blended. Spread into greased lined 13*9-inch baking pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees F. for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool in pan. Lift out of pan onto cutting board. Cut into 24 squares. Drizzle each equare with melted Semi-sweet chocolate, if desired. Let stand until set.
• Caramel Brownies: Prepare and bake brownies as directed. Microwave 1 pkg. (14 oz) caramels and 2 Tablespoons milk in microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 1/2 minutes. Stir until caramels are completely melted. Grently spread over brownies in pan. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
• Chocolate Bliss Brownies: Prepare batter as directed, adding 1 pkg. (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chunks with the nuts. Spread into prepared pan and bake as directed.
• Cream Cheese Brownies: Prepare batter as directed, using 4 eggs; spread into prepared pan. Beat 1 pkg (8 oz) softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 egg and 2 Tablespoons flour until well blended; drop by spoonfuls evenly over brownie batter. Swirl with knife several times to marbleize. Bake as directed, increasing baking time to 40 minutes.
• Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies: Prepare batter as directed, reserving 1 Tablespoon of the butter and 2 Tablespoons of the sugar. Spread batter into prepared pan. Melt reserved butter. Add to reserved sugar along with 2/3 cup peanut butter; mix well. Spoon over batter in pan. Swirl with knife several times to marbleize. Bake as directed.

BASIC COOKIE DOUGH WITH 6 VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Put butter, granulated and light brown sugar, the baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Beat with mixer on medium speed 3 minutes or until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until well blended.
• Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually beat in flour until blended. Divide dough in half (about 1 3/4 cups per portion). Prepare each portion as directed in recipes.
• Chocolate Chunk Cookies: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have baking sheets ready. Put 1 portion (1/2 recipe) basic cookie dough, 1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks, 1/2 cup each pecans and walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped, and 1/4 cup semisweet or milk chocolate mini M & Ms baking bits in a large bowl; stir until blended. Drop heaping measuring tablespoons dough 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 12 to 14 minutes until golden brown. Cool on baking sheet on a wire rack 2 minutes before removing to rack to cool completely.
• Lemon Wedges: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have baking sheets ready. Put 1 portion (1/2 recipe) basic cookie dough, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel and 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract in a large bowl; stir until blended. Roll 1/4 cup portions into balls. Place 4 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Press into 4 inch circles. Bake 13 to 15 minutes until light brown. While hot, remove circles with a broad spatula to a cutting board. Cut each circle into 6 wedges. Transfer wedges to a rack to cool completely. Whisk 3/4 cup confectioners sugar and 1 tablespoon water until smooth, adding more water if needed until just thin enough to drizzle. Place a piece of wax paper under cookies on rack. Drizzle cookies with sugar mixture; let stand until drizzle sets.
• Berry Crumb Bars: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 inch square baking pan with foil, letting foil extend above pan on opposite sides. With floured fingers, pat 1 1/4 cups dough (from 1/2 recipe chilled basic cookie dough) over bottom of prepared pan. Put 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped and 1/3 cup raspberry preserves in a small bowl; stir until well blended. Spread on dough to within 1/2 inch of edges of pan. Add coconut to remaining dough; stir until blended. Break off small pieces and place randomly on cranberry mixture. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until top is browned. Cool in pan on wire rack. Holding foil ends, lift onto cutting board. Cut into 18 bars.
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have baking sheets ready. Put 1 portion (1/2 recipe) basic cookie dough, 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned oatmeal, 1/2 cup honey-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped and 1/3 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter in a large bowl; stir until blended. Drop level measuring tablespoons 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Cool on sheet on wire racks 2 minutes before removing to racks to cool completely.
• Spicy Snickerdoodles: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have baking sheets ready. Put 1 portion (1/2 recipe) basic cookie dough, 3 tablespoons cornmeal, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon ginger in a large bowl; stir until blended. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm. Place 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a shallow bowl. Shape scant tablespoons dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar to coat. Place 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with decorating sugar. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until edges are browned. Cool on sheet on wire racks 2 minutes before removing to racks to cool completely.
• Chocolate Toffee Brownies: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with foil, letting foil extend above pan at opposite sides. Put 1 portion (1/2 recipe) basic cookie dough and 6 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, melted, and cooled in a large bowl; stir until blended. Coarsely chop three 1.4 ounce Skor bars. Add 2/3 of the chopped candy bars to dough mixture; stir to combine. Spoon into lined pan; spread to cover bottom. Combine remaining candy bars, 1/3 cup milk chocloate chips, 1/3 cup pecans, chopped and 1/4 cup mini marshmallows in a small bowl. Sprinkle over dough; then press lightly to adhere. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Holding foil ends, lift onto cutting board. Cut square brownies using a serrated knife.

BEST EVER CHOCOLATE BROWNIES RECIPE

Steps:

• Cut 185g unsalted butter into small cubes and tip into a medium bowl. Break 185g dark chocolate into small pieces and drop into the bowl.
• Fill a small saucepan about a quarter full with hot water, then sit the bowl on top so it rests on the rim of the pan, not touching the water. Put over a low heat until the butter and chocolate have melted, stirring occasionally to mix them.
• Remove the bowl from the pan. Alternatively, cover the bowl loosely with cling film and put in the microwave for 2 minutes on High. Leave the melted mixture to cool to room temperature.
• While you wait for the chocolate to cool, position a shelf in the middle of your oven and turn the oven on to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Using a shallow 20cm square tin, cut out a square of non-stick baking parchment to line the base. Tip 85g plain flour and 40g cocoa powder into a sieve held over a medium bowl. Tap and shake the sieve so they run through together and you get rid of any lumps.
• Chop 50g white chocolate and 50g milk chocolate into chunks on a board.
• Break 3 large eggs into a large bowl and tip in 275g golden caster sugar. With an electric mixer on maximum speed, whisk the eggs and sugar. They will look thick and creamy, like a milk shake. This can take 3-8 minutes, depending on how powerful your mixer is. You'll know it's ready when the mixture becomes really pale and about double its original volume. Another check is to turn off the mixer, lift out the beaters and wiggle them from side to side. If the mixture that runs off the beaters leaves a trail on the surface of the mixture in the bowl for a second or two, you're there.
• Pour the cooled chocolate mixture over the eggy mousse, then gently fold together with a rubber spatula. Plunge the spatula in at one side, take it underneath and bring it up the opposite side and in again at the middle. Continue going under and over in a figure of eight, moving the bowl round after each folding so you can get at it from all sides, until the two mixtures are one and the colour is a mottled dark brown. The idea is to marry them without knocking out the air, so be as gentle and slow as you like.
• Hold the sieve over the bowl of eggy chocolate mixture and resift the cocoa and flour mixture, shaking the sieve from side to side, to cover the top evenly.
• Gently fold in this powder using the same figure of eight action as before. The mixture will look dry and dusty at first, and a bit unpromising, but if you keep going very gently and patiently, it will end up looking gungy and fudgy. Stop just before you feel you should, as you don't want to overdo this mixing.
• Finally, stir in the white and milk chocolate chunks until they're dotted throughout.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared tin, scraping every bit out of the bowl with the spatula. Gently ease the mixture into the corners of the tin and paddle the spatula from side to side across the top to level it.
• Put in the oven and set your timer for 25 mins. When the buzzer goes, open the oven, pull the shelf out a bit and gently shake the tin. If the brownie wobbles in the middle, it's not quite done, so slide it back in and bake for another 5 minutes until the top has a shiny, papery crust and the sides are just beginning to come away from the tin. Take out of the oven.
• Leave the whole thing in the tin until completely cold, then, if you're using the brownie tin, lift up the protruding rim slightly and slide the uncut brownie out on its base. If you're using a normal tin, lift out the brownie with the foil. Cut into quarters, then cut each quarter into four squares and finally into triangles.
• They'll keep in an airtight container for a good two weeks and in the freezer for up to a month.

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.