Saturday was my family’s Hannukah Party.  I wanted to make something special for everyone to enjoy.  I chose 5 different flavors (I still can’t pick my favorite) to take everyone’s sweet pallet on a ride.  Each brownie was made with store-bought brownie mix which I then turned into something special.  I’ll go through each brownie so you can make 1, 2, 3, 4 or even all 5 for your loved ones 🙂

Espresso Brownie–Espresso lovers, this one is for you

Your Barista Is Asking For- set your oven to 350

1 Box Ghirardelli Chocolate Brownie Mix
5 tbsp espresso powder
2 bars of espresso chocolate candy bar (I used Choxie from Target but any kind will do)
1 1/2 c. confectioners sugar
1 tbsp. butter
1/3 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/3 c. of water
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Caffeine High

The Brownie

(1) Follow instructions on back of brownie box

(2) Chop up both espresso candy bars and add to mix

(3) Once mixed add two eggs, 3 tbsp. of espresso powder, water, and oil.

(4) Transfer into a cake pan and let bake for about 30-35 minutes

Espresso Icing

(1) Once the brownie is cooled combine the remaining espresso power, two tbsp of water, confectioners sugar, butter and vanilla. In this case you can melt the butter before to get the perfect consistency for your icing.

(3) Cut brownies into 9 squares, serve, and enjoy

 

Mint Chocolate Brownie – This was everyone’s Favorite

Ingredients

(1) Box Ghirardelli Brownie Mix
(2) Bags of dark chocolate and mint chocolate chips (This is seasonal, I found mine at Target, although you wont be using the full two bags you’ll need both for color purposes)
(2) Tbsp Peppermint extract
(2) Tsp vegetable oil

Minty Goodness Heat Oven to 350

(1) Follow instructions of brownie mix

(2) Open the first bag of the chocolate chips and add 2 c. of it to the batter- then add the rest of only the green (mint) ones to the batter (I also opened the second bag of chocolate chips and added more green ones)

(3) Add peppermint extract

(4) Pour into brownie/cake pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes

(5) Meanwhile, sort what’s left of the green chocolate chips from brown chocolate chips-I know this sounds tedious but it only takes about five minutes

(6) Once cooled, heat a  small pot with water (about 1/4 way high) when it starts to boil create a double burner with a heat-proof bowl on top of the pot (see picture).

 

(7) Turn off the heat and place green chocolate chips in bowl, add the vegetable oil and stir until they melt

(8) Drizzle melted green chocolate on top of cooled brownies

(9) Cut into 9 squares and enjoy 🙂

Double Chocolate Chip Brownie–Kid Favorite

The Bare Basics

(1) Box Ghirardelli Brownie Mix
(1) Bag of milk chocolate chips

 

Easy Peasy Batter

(1) Mix batter and add  chocolate chips

(2) The batter is going to look crazy thick-its a good thing- your chocolate chips are fully incorporated throughout the brownie

(3) Place in cake/brownie pan and mix and bake for about 25 mins

(4) Cut into 9 pieces and serve

Raspberry Swirl Brownie

Ingredients

(1) Box Ghirardelli brownie mix
(1) Jar Raspberry Preserves

Swirl it up

(1) Spread half of brownie mix in cake/brownie pan

(2) Put 9 tsps of the preserves an inch apart and swirl on top of the brownie mix

(3)  Spread the rest of the batter on top

(4) Again place 9 tsps of preserves an inch apart and swirl on top

(5) Once cooled cut into 9 squares

 

The Peanut Butter Lover’s Brownie

I Heart Peanut Butter Ingredients

(1) Box of Ghirardelli Brownie Mix
(2) 1 Small Jar of Peanut Butter

Talkin’ Businesses

(1) Spread half of brownie mix in cake/brownie pan

(2) Put 9 tsps of peanut butter an inch apart and swirl on top of the brownie mix

(3)  Spread the rest of the batter on top

(4) Again place 9 tsps of peanut butter an inch apart and swirl on top

(5) Once cooled cut into 9 squares.

Side Note: This brownie has the most beautiful texture inside. Once its cut into squares it really looks magnificent.  This one is really a show stopper 🙂


The Assembly

Put a few layers of tissue paper on top of a large platter. Place brownies on platter. Put them in five different sections on the platter and tower brownies on top of each other. Place small signs on a stick so people know which brownie is which.

Patty Cake Notes:  I know this platter looks like an insane amount of work.  However, because I used store-bought mix all the way through it really saved tons of time. I created an assembly line of batters and was able to make the whole platter in about 4 hours.  Each brownie was amazing and great on its own-but if you’re going something special-this platter was is really a 10.