White Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Happy #nationalbrownieday!

I’m re-posting one of my favorite brownie recipes for the special occasion. Just FYI, these are basically all butter.  These aren’t “every day brownies,” these are definitely “special occasion brownies.”  But, like I said, #nationalbrownieday is a special occasion.

Enjoy!

White Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Ingredients:

Brownies:
1 c. butter (yes, two sticks… did I mention this isn’t a healthy recipe?)

3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa

2  c. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 c. white chocolate chips

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Filling:
(adapted from Taste of Home)

1 c. butter, softened

1 c. packed light brown sugar  

1/2 c. granulated sugar

4 Tbsp. milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. white chocolate chips

Chocolate Glaze:

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tbsp. shortening

Directions:

1. Brownies: Prepare 13×9″ baking pan by laying a piece of foil in the bottom and up the sides.  Spray with cooking spray or butter the foil.

2. Melt the 2 sticks of butter in a medium saucepan; add cocoa, stirring until smooth.  Remove from heat and cool slightly. 

3. Add sugar, salt, eggs, and vanilla; beat with a spoon until combined.
4. Add flour and baking powder; mix well.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Spread batter into pan.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow brownies to cool completely before moving on to the next step.
6. Cookie dough: Combine first 5 ingredients in a mixing bowl and cream together.  Add flour and stir until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Spread in an even layer on top of cooled brownies.  Chill before adding chocolate glaze.
8. Glaze: Melt chocolate with shortening and stir until smooth.  Spread over chilled cookie dough layer.

Crumble Topped Brownies

I’ve been infatuated with crumble topping since I started baking.  You can’t beat sugar, butter, flour, and salt.  That’s all a crumble is, but it’s baked and turns a little crunchy.  

It turns out, you can top anything with it.  I thought it was exclusively for pies and muffins, but that’s just limited thinking.  I added cocoa powder (yeah, chocolate crumble!!) and put it on top of these brownies and created my new favorite brownie.  Ooey and gooey is no longer good enough for me; I need the crunch on top now, too.  

If you’re a fan of amazing chocolatey flavor and varying textures in a dessert, you’ll love these.

Crumble Topped Brownies
These fabulous brownies are from Life Made Simple Bakes

Ingredients:

Crumble Topping:

1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp cinnamon
½ cup brown sugar
8 tbsp butter, cubed and very cold

Brownies:

½ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ¼ cup sugar
11 tbsp butter
2 eggs, cold
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp. cornstarch
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extra
½ cup chocolate chips

Directions:

For the crumble:
1.  Place all of the crumble topping ingredients in a bowl and combine with hands or a fork until the mixture resembles sand.  Place in the fridge until ready to use.

For the brownies:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Butter a 9×13 inch pan or line it with parchment. Set aside.
3. In a microwave safe bowl, add the butter and sugar. Heat until melted.
4. Remove, stir, and cool on the counter for 5 minutes, then stir in the vanilla extract and cocoa powder.
5. In the bowl of a stand mixer add the warm butter/sugar mixture. With mixing speed on low add one egg at a time, mixing just until incorporated.
6. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt. With mixing speed on low, gradually add dry ingredients to wet.
7. Mix until no flour pockets remain, but don’t overmix.
8. Remove bowl from stand and fold in the chocolate chips.Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan.
9. Evenly sprinkle the crumble mixture on top.
10. Place in the oven and bake for 24-25 minutes or until you can place a toothpick in the middle of the brownies and it comes out clean.
11. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 30-45 minutes before cutting and serving.

Easy Brownie Sandwiches

I’m not typically a fan of box mixes, but they can be made into so many other desserts than the box mentions and sometimes I just want to whip something up with little effort. If you visit the website of your boxed cake mix of choice, you’ll find tons of recipes.  This recipe is from Duncan Hines.

I’m a huge fan of brownies and a huge fan of frosting and I have an out of control sweet tooth, so these are perfect for me, but may be too sweet for some. 

Brownie Sandwiches

Straight from Duncan Hines

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg Duncan Hines® Chewy Fudge Premium Brownie Mix
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 can Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Classic Vanilla Frosting

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 ºF. Grease cookie sheet.
2. Combine brownie mix, egg, water and oil in large bowl. Stir until well blended and soft dough forms. Drop by level measuring tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheet.
3. Bake at 375 ºF for 7 to 8 minutes or until cookies are set in center. Do not over bake. Cool for 1 minute before removing to cooling rack. Cool completely before assembling.
4. Spread frosting on half the cookies. Top each frosted cookie with another cookie. Gently press together.

Valentine’s Day Special: Gifts to you and Pretzel-Crusted Caramel Chocolate Chip Brownies

Valentine’s Day:  a day where everyone can make an excuse to eat chocolate.  Am I right?

Yes.

So, please, make your chocolate excuse be these brownies.

Pretzel-Crusted Caramel Chocolate Chip Brownies


Crust:
4 cups whole pretzels

1 stick butter, softened

¼ cup powdered sugar

1/8 tsp baking powder

Brownies:
Use your favorite recipe.  I used these, but I only used 1 ½ cups of sugar instead of 2 ¼ and I also used ¾ cups butter instead of 1 cup.

Caramel Filling:

1 can 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 cup caramel pieces
½ cup chocolate chips
½ cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Crush up pretzels in food processor until finely ground.
3. Mix with butter, powdered sugar, and baking powder. 
4. Press into bottom of 9×13 inch pan.
5. Bake for 5 minutes. (While preparing brownies.)
6. Prepare your brownie recipe of choice.
7. Pull crust from oven and pour brownie batter over the crust.
8. Layer caramel filling on top.  Bake for 30-45 minutes, until an inserted fork comes out clean.

P.S. My gift from Denby, to me, to you: You can, for a limited time, get exclusive Valentine’s Day deals from Denby by clicking here: Denby USA.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

Setting the Mood with Denby

With Valentine’s Day heartbeats away, it’s time to start planning for the big night. Before you make a reservation, though, Denby, producers of pottery for over 200 years, offers the following tips to help create a truly special dining experience in the privacy of your home.

• Back to Basics: Using a tablecloth is a great way to add an instant splash of color, which in turn provides a beautiful backdrop for your dinnerware.  For Valentine’s Day, try using a solid red tablecloth as your base and layer a sheer silver or gold tablecloth on top to create visual interest.  If you prefer a clean look where your dinnerware is the main attraction, follow the above steps, but swap out the red tablecloth for white linen.
• The Right Spot: Just like life, setting the table comes with many rules, but achieving restaurant-quality results is easier than you might think.
  • Dinnerware: Place the dinner plate directly in front of each seat, about two inches from the table’s edge.  Place salad and bread plates to the left, and if you’re serving soup, place the bowl directly on top of the dinner plate.  Remember that with each course you should remove the used dinnerware.  Also, if you’re having seconds, serve them on a clean plate.  Dinnerware is meant to be functional, but by giving a fresh plate, it’s also frames your meal beautifully.
  • Silverware: This is where most people become completely lost.  Start by placing the forks to the left side of the plate with the smaller salad fork on the outside.  Then place the knives and spoons to the right, making sure that the cutting edge of the knife is facing the plate. Butter knives should go directly on the bread plate.  For dessert silverware, lay the spoon about a half inch above the dinner plate with the mouthpiece facing left and the fork above the spoon, with the mouthpiece facing right.  If you’re being served and not sure which piece to grab first, a general rule of thumb is to start from the outside and work your way in.
  • Glassware: Traditionally, the water glass should go to the right, directly above the knife.  If you’re drinking wine, place the glasses, one for each type of wine, directly to the right of the water glasses.  To complete your tablescape, finish by laying cloth napkins, never paper, on top of the dinner plates.
• Hide Love Notes: It’s not enough to show someone you care; you should also use every opportunity to tell them.  Try incorporating little messages into your tablescape by hiding them under plates and glasses so that the messages are revealed when your loved one takes a drink or begins working on their next course.  It’s a fun and flirty, not to mention inexpensive way to convey your emotions while building the anticipation.   
• Light the Night: Candles are one of the easiest and quickest ways to set the mood.  For best results, strategically place clusters of candles at varying heights around the room, creating little areas of ambient light.  Just remember to use unscented candles.  Not only are they less expensive, but they won’t overpower the space with fragrance that can take the focus away from the aroma of your wonderful meal. 

Denby USA Limited and The Denby Pottery Company (UK) are manufacturers of high quality stoneware. Hand-made glassware, imported porcelain and bone china, and cookware are also part of the company’s merchandise offerings. 

One Bowl Brownies with Almond-Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

http://www.stumbleupon.com/hostedbadge.php?s=1&r=http://www.whatkatiesbaking.com/2011/12/one-bowl-brownies-with-almond-chocolate.html

Want to hear how big of a dummy I am?

Kellen and I recently had our two year anniversary, so I thought I’d make him something sweet. My plan was to make a layered heart brownie cake. You might be wondering why the brownie in the picture is only one layer.

Let me tell you what you should probably never do.

You should probably never use plastic cookie cutters as molds in a 350 degree oven.

They might melt.

Just one of my many kitchen failures.  It happens!

Luckily, part of it was salvaged and the brownies are not faulty like their baker.  The recipe is actually one of my favorite brownie recipes out there.  They’re almost fudge-like, but still a bit crunchy.  And it only takes one bowl to make them.  Perfection if you ask me.

Please share your kitchen disaster stories so I don’t feel alone. 

One Bowl Brownies with Almond-Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
Recipe from: All Recipes

Ingredients

• 4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
• ¾ cup butter
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. Microwave chocolate and butter or margarine in large bowl at high for 2 minutes or until butter or margarine is melted.
3. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour.
4. Spread in greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake for 35 minutes (do not overbake).
5. Frost with this frosting.

Vanilla Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting

Vanilla brownies? Whaaatt?

I was feelin’ creative when I made these and thought, “Why not?”

So yes, brownies made with vanilla pudding mix = vanilla brownies.

Add some peanut butter frosting on top and you’ve got yourself a vanilla/chocolate/peanut butter masterpiece. They’re ooey and gooey and awesome.  You really just can’t go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate.  One of my friends who doesn’t like brownies told me he loved it.

I thought I’d give you guys this recipe before I start going crazy with pumpkin/fall/Halloween recipes.  So enjoy it because they’re coming soon.

Vanilla Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting

Ingredients

·         ¾ cup butter

·         ¾ cup white sugar

·         3 eggs

·         2 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

·         1 package vanilla pudding

·         ¾ cup all-purpose flour

·         ½ teaspoon salt

·         ½ teaspoon baking powder 

      1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt ½ cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla.
3. Beat in cocoa, ½ cup flour, salt, vanilla pudding, and baking powder. 
4. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread batter into prepared pan.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
6. Frost with this frosting.

Baking: College Edition. Brownie Cookie Sandwich

Learning names can be SO HARD when you’re meeting a million people.  Luckily, you’re never too old to play games.  Even as a junior in college, two of my teachers have already had us play games to learn everyone’s name in the classes.

Game number one:  Each student has to think of an adjective that describes them and starts with the first letter of their first name.  Then everyone says their name and adjective out loud (Kind Katie) and the names and adjectives of all of the people who went before them.  Pretty effective.

Game number two: Everyone gets a miniature dry erase board and marker.  They have to write their name at the top and then below draw something that everyone can remember them by.  Then everyone holds up their board to the class and describes what they drew.  My drawing sucked but I tried to draw my blog.  Also effective.

My first week of classes has been consumed by learning names and way too many syllabus’ (syllabi?).  I haven’t been able to sleep very well so if anyone has any tips on sleeping they’d be greatly appreciated!!

I also had my first baking experience at school!  I prepared everything in the room (everything but the actual baking part).  My roomies weren’t really phased by that because they already know about my blog, but when I went down to the commons area to put the cookies in the oven, it got a lil’ awkward.  The kitchen was packed with people hanging out so they were all grilling me about what I was doing.  But I kept on bakin’ on and made these yummmyy cookie sandwiches with packaged frosting and a box mix. (My roommate brought them for me because she knew I had a blog :)) 

What do you guys think about box mixes and packaged frosting?

I hate them both.  Buuuttt… they’re cheap and easy.  And I’m a college student now, ya know.  Let’s be cliche here and go with it.  

These were so good.  They reminded me of oatmeal cream pies.  The texture was exactly the same… that soft and chewy cookie with the whipped, creamy filling, but the flavor was even better than oatmeal cream pies!  They’re really decadent, but so worth it and so cheap.  I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I highly recommend these, processed chemicals and all. 

What do you do when you can’t sleep

Do you use boxed mixes?

Brownie Cookie Sandwiches

Straight from Duncan Hines

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg Duncan Hines® Chewy Fudge Premium Brownie Mix
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 can Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Classic Vanilla Frosting

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 ºF. Grease cookie sheet.
2. Combine brownie mix, egg, water and oil in large bowl. Stir until well blended and soft dough forms. Drop by level measuring tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheet.
3. Bake at 375 ºF for 7 to 8 minutes or until cookies are set in center. Do not over bake. Cool for 1 minute before removing to cooling rack. Cool completely before assembling.
4. Spread frosting on half the cookies. Top each frosted cookie with another cookie. Gently press together.

White Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

Are you guys excited for the 4th of July?

I am, and I’ve got lots of goodies for you from Edible Gifts Plus!

FUN, FESTIVE AND PATRIOTIC GIFTS AND GOODIES
FOR THE 4^TH OF JULY
 

Oreo Stars and Stripes Cookies ($1.95 each) and Oreo Party Stars Cookies ($1.95 each) make for great treats as they are America’s favorite cookie dipped in chocolate and decorated with patriotic stars and stripes designs.

 
 

 

Cake Pops($2 each)  are also an excellent and fun addition to any gathering, with a rich rudgy double chocolate cake mixed with just the right amount of cream cheese filling and drenched in white chocolate or milk chocolate coating. Beautiful designs top these mouthwatering treats off.

 

 

The Big Patriotic Heart Cookie($35.50) and Patriotic Giant Fortune Cookie ($29.50) are larger than life goodies that everyone can share. The Big Patriotic Heart Cookie measures a memorable 9-10”. The Patriotic Giant Fortune Cookie weighs in at over one pound and is nearly the size of a football.

 

 

Weighing over 1.5lbs, the Jumbo Chocolate Dipped Chocolate Chip Apple with Patriotic Stripes ($25.95) is a sweet and delicious choice for sharing at gatherings or for sending to a loved one.

 

 

Whether they’re near or far, honor your favorite military member with the American Dream Lollipop Bouquet ($41.95) or the Happy 4^th of July Patriotic Cookie Bouquet ($53.95). The American Dream Lollipop Bouquet features a festive collection of hard candy lollipops, while the Happy 4^th of July Patriotic Cookie Bouquet features hand-decorated red, white and blue cookies with your personal message displayed on the center cookie.

 

 

Don’t forget to thank the host! Do so with the Grill Master Cookie Bouquet ($53.95), featuring delicious cookies hand-decorated as everyone’s favorite barbecue items and with your personal message displayed on the center cookie.

While you’re waiting for your yummy gifts to arrive, you should make these brownies.  

Kellen was coming back from visiting home and I wanted to make him something special.  He’s been wanting brownies for the past couple of weeks and I wanted to make him brownies, but I’ve already put two brownie recipes on here, so I had to make them different.  That’s when I started brainstorming.  Since he loves cookie dough ice cream, why wouldn’t he love cookie dough brownies?

Well, I guess he did because he said they’re the “best brownies he’s ever had”.  Pretty tough to beat if you ask me!  They aren’t as time consuming as I thought either.  Perfect brownies.  

White Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies
Adapted from: One Ordinary Day

1 c. butter

¾ c. unsweetened cocoa

2  c. granulated sugar

½ tsp. salt

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 ¼ c. all-purpose flour

½ tsp. baking powder

½ c. white chocolate chips

Prepare 13×9″ baking pan by laying a piece of foil in the bottom and up the sides.  Spray with cooking spray or butter the foil.

Melt 2 sticks of butter in a medium saucepan; add cocoa, stirring until smooth.  Remove from heat and cool slightly.  Add sugar, salt, eggs, and vanilla; beat with a spoon until combined.  Add flour and baking powder; mix well.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Spread batter into pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow brownies to cool completely before moving on to the next step.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Filling: 
(adapted from Taste of Home)

1 c. butter, softened

1 c. packed light brown sugar  

½ c. granulated sugar

4 Tbsp. milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. white chocolate chips

Combine first 5 ingredients in a mixing bowl and cream together.  Add flour and stir until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Spread in an even layer on top of cooled brownies.  Chill before adding chocolate glaze.

Chocolate Glaze:

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 Tbsp. Crisco shortening

Melt chocolate with shortening and stir until smooth.  Spread over chilled cookie dough layer.

P.S. I got my hair done!

Passover Pecan Brownies

I received an email from Osem…  I almost deleted it, but I was interested because I had never heard of Osem before.


I checked it out and they’re a large provider of kosher foods.  Kosher means that something is “meant to be eaten” and kosher foods “conform to the regulations of the Jewish Halakhic law framework”.  


Although I’m not Jewish, I decided to make these brownies… mostly because they looked really good, but also because I wanted to branch out a little bit.


If you don’t know where to get Matza cake meal, you can get it here or here. Or you can just switch the ½ cup Matza cake meal out with 1 cup of all purpose flour.

Today is the last day of Passover, so if you get a change, I highly recommend you make these delicious, chocolatey brownies.  The top crust is crunchy and the inside is light and moist.  MMM!

PECAN BROWNIES
Levana Cooks

The Passover version of this timeless classic is virtually identical to the year-round one: Osem Matza cake meal is that good! Secret of delicious brownies, beside of course delicious chocolate: Do not be tempted to bake a minute more or they will harden.

Ingredients 

8 ounces best-quality dark chocolate, chopped, or 2 cups best-quality semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup margarine (try your best for a good natural brand)

4 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

½ cup Osem Matza Cake Meal (or 1 cup AP flour)

¾ cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans (12 to 15 minutes in a preheated 325 degree oven)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. 

Melt the chocolate and margarine in a small saucepan over very low heat or in a microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. 

In a food processor or with an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. 

Add the chocolate mixture and mix. 

Add the matza cake meal and vanilla and mix, pulsing until just combined. 

Fold in pecans.

Pour the batter into a greased 12-inch square pan (or any pan of a comparable size) and bake for 35 minutes until the top is barely firm. It will set completely with the residual heat sticking to the pan. Chill before cutting, so you can cut them neatly. 

Store refrigerated in a sealed container. Makes about 3 dozen.

P.s. Beautiful Ari is having a giveaway… you should all go check it out!

Mississippi Mud Brownies

I live for reactions.

I love to do things sometimes just to see what people will say or how they will respond.  It’s such a good feeling to make someone happy.

Random acts of kindness are so fulfilling.  I used to love May Day.  Every May Day when I was in elementary school, we would make a craft at school and when I got home, I would make a couple more and go put them on people’s doors in my neighborhood.  (Aren’t you supposed to do that on May Day or did I just make that up?)  I remember feeling so good after I did that because I could just imagine how excited they would be when they opened their door and found my silly craft.

In high school, in one of my classes, we had a Pay it Forward segment and at the end of it, one of my friends brought a bunch of Pay it Forward bracelets to class and we were told to do something nice for someone and give them the bracelet so they could do the same.  I remember paying it forward and just how good it felt.

I like to bake for people and make homemade cards (like for my dad’s birthday, which I will post about later… Happy Birthday, Dad!!) because I like for them to know that I spent time on them because I care about them.  I like making Kellen homemade gifts because it’s the way I express my feelings for him.  (Like for Valentine’s Day, which I will also post about later. but I can’t show you that until it’s over because it’s a surprise… and I hate ruined surprises!!) 

Even little things like holding the door open for people or helping someone carry something is so rewarding.  That feeling is not one that can be replicated with anything else.  It’s the reason I do all of those things I told you about.

Make these brownies for someone today, I guarantee the reaction you get will be a good one!  I made them for one of my classes and they all loved them (or at least that’s what they said.)

Mississippi Mud Brownies
Rebekahs Family Food and Fun

I was out of marshmallows, so I used marshmallow creme.

Ingredients 

2 sticks (1 cup) butter

1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa

1-½ c. granulated sugar

4 eggs

2 t. vanilla

1-½ c. flour

¼ t. salt

1 c. chopped pecans (optional – I think they would be fabulous, but my family would revolt)

2 cups marshmallow creme (enough to cover the top)

Frosting:

1 stick (½ c.) butter

1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa, sifted

2-¾ c. powdered sugar

1/3 c. milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°.

Grease a 13 x 9" pan.

In a large saucepan, melt butter.  Remove from heat and sift in cocoa, stirring until smooth.  Add sugar and stir well.  Add eggs and vanilla, mix to combine, then add flour and salt, stirring just until incorporated.   

Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Don’t overbake.  Don’t underbake though, either, my center pieces came out a little too gooey.

Immediately upon removing from oven, top with marshmallow creme.  Return to oven for 2-3 minutes, or until marshmallow creme is soft and melty.  Do NOT brown!!  That will make them chewy and tough and difficult to cut.

When marshmallows are soft, remove from oven and make frosting.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter.  Add cocoa and then powdered sugar and milk.  Stir until smooth and creamy.  Add more milk a teaspoon at a time if necessary for consistency.

Drizzle frosting over marshmallow layer and smooth to cover completely. 

Allow to cool before cutting.