I need your help.
Meeker doesn’t like many desserts. However, something sweet he loves…boxed brownies.
(I’m as impressed as Bellatrix is with his taste for chocolate.)
We’ve been married for 3 ½ years, and I’ve yet to make a brownie-from-scratch that he likes better than boxed. Granted, I’ve only tried twice because boxed brownies are easy. And they don’t taste bad. Heck, Meeker can even make them himself.
But this weekend, I was craving brownies, and I decided to issue myself a challenge.
I will make a made-from-scratch brownie that Meeker likes better than boxed.
To win over boxed, they need to be fudgy, not cakey.
They need to be milk-chocolaty. Not dark-chocolaty.
And it would help if the recipe included nothing healthy.
If you have any fantastic fudgy, sweet, indulgent brownie recipes, puhleeeze send them my way.
I will triumph over the box.
Hmm, well I have a recipe called “Better-Than-Boxed Brownies”: http://www.thewannabechef.net/2011/02/01/better-than-boxed-brownies-and-a-csn-store-giveaway/
But if you want my absolute favorite then without a doubt it’s Triple choc. Brownies: http://www.thewannabechef.net/2010/11/09/outrageous-triple-chocolate-brownies/
This is one of my favorite brownie recipes. It’s actually off allrecipes.com named Dump Bars! Don’t know why. But it calls for 2 c. white sugar, 5 eggs, 1 c vegetable oil (I use canola), 1 t vanilla, 1 1/3 c flour, 1/2 c cocoa powder, 1 t salt and 1 c choc chips (I only use 1/2 cup!). Bake 350 in a 9×13 greased pan. Blend the 1st 4 ingredients, combine the dry and mix into 1st till moistened. Save the choc chips to sprinkle over the top. 30-35 mins. Let me know if Meeker or you like them.
I actually don’t care for brownies unless it’s a brownie sundae, so I can’t offer much advice, but I did want to say GOOD LUCK!
Hehe, your kitty is too cute!
Yes! Conquer that box!
Brownies are the best! I have been really wanting to try some black bean brownies. Have you tried those?
xoxo
Kathleen
Haha my favorite brownies, for some reason, are the little mini cupcakey looking ones that come in a big tub at the store. I’ve actually never made any from scratch. If I did we would be in for a disaster. One day I hope to have a husband that cooks
Make these! http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/01/13/fudgey-brownie-cupcakes/
Just make them in a 9 x 13 pan, and right before adding to the pan, stir in 3 cups mini marshmallows. TRUST ME.
While I don’t have any brownie recipes for you, I do hope you meet your challenge!!!
Ina Garten’s got yo back
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/brownie-tart-recipe/index.html
its a brownie tart but no one will notice, it’s the best =)
hahah i love this post. i love a good, fudgey brownie too!
I love the box too and these rival my favorite boxed variety:
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/fudge-brownies-recipe
Seriously the best brownie I have ever made
I have to say I feel for you because the man over here is a fan of boxed himself. So, I raise my hands to you and bow for taking on this challenge. Good luck! Looks like you are getting some good recipes. Now I want brownies!!
I’ve actually never been able to make them better than boxed either. I tried one recipe that was all butter and sugar and they just tasted heavy and rich not fudgy and delish. Frustrating.
I am going to refrain from saying “disregard everyone else’s comments and look at this one only!!!!!!” because that would be obnoxious
…but really, these are the ticket. i like the recipe dark chocolate brownies from the whole foods website (the frosting is killer), BUT, this past december i found a recipe for brownies that are THE texture of the boxed mix – the cooks illustrated people did a lot of experimenting to figure it out, and i thought their recipe was spot-on:
http://www.whatmegansmaking.com/2011/02/chewy-brownies-aka-best-brownies-ive.html
and here is their rationale: http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/login.asp?docid=23263
I just made amazing mint choc brownies. The base itself was perfectly fudgy! If he does mint DEF make them!
America’s Test Kitchen did this recently. Found the recipe online here:
http://projectdomestication.blogspot.com/2010/03/cooks-illustrated-chewy-brownie-recipe.html
Its worth watching the episode and reading the article though for the details behind why it works!
I don’t have a recipe, but good luck!!! This is funny:)
I think you are going to be making a lot of brownies!
Looks like a lot of recipes to sift through.
I don’t have the recipe on me, but I swear what makes it
work to achieve the fudginess is the combination of cocoa
powder and oil…the oil makes the brownies soooo moist.
Have fun!
I look forward to hearing the result
I am sure you will win!
My family loves these brownies!
1/2 cup margarine(melted – I use becel)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1 tbsp vanilla
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup cocoa
Grease and flour 8×8 pan. Pre-heat oven 350 F. Melt becel (I use the microwave) and stir in sugar. Then add vanilla and eggs and mix well. Then add all dry ingredients. Bake for approx. 25 mins. I usually frost them with this simple recipe (my kids love it). 1/3 cup becel (or fav margarine), 1/3 cup cocoa, 3/4 to 1 cup icing sugar and 2 tbsp honey. Whip this together until creamy and spread on slightly cooled brownies. It’s great when the brownies are still warm enough to melt the frosting!
One word: DECADENT!!
Fudgy Brownies
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan.
In a large bowl, stir together the cocoa and baking soda. Add 1/3 cup vegetable oil and boiling water. Mix until well blended and thickened. Stir in the sugar, eggs, and remaining 1/3 cup oil. Finally, add the flour, vanilla and salt; mix just until all of the flour is absorbed. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.
Tell Meeker these come from the Ogle Kitchen.
I’m not the best person to give you a brownie recipe, but I hope Meeker ends up liking the ones you make!!
I wish I was going to be at your house this weekend to help you “deal with” any of the “failures” from this challenge! Also…I’d agree with the guy above who wrote about the America’s Test Kitchen recipe. I always enjoy when there is a SCIENCE behind why something TASTES soooo goooood, and their recipes are usually great! Can’t wait to hear how it goes
one thing I DEFINITELY recommend: always bake for much less time than stated on the box. they’re sooo much fudgier (aka dreamier) that way!
good luck!
Sooo excited! I didn’t even consider frosting. That might be cheating. I will have to set up a spreadsheet with categories to judge this challenge.
there really is something about boxed brownies that make them irrisitible I will give that to him! but homemade ones—well there is just no comparrison in my book!!!
if I were you, I would it up Jessica’s website! (howsweet)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Deep-Dish-Brownies/Detail.aspx
Stir in 1 cup of milk chocolate chips at the very end. Underbake slightly. These are to die for, and really easy.
Hi! I just want to let you know that I enjoy your blog.
My fiance also has no sweet tooth, until it comes to brownies. (I’ve tried cookies, cakes, pies, everything. You can only freeze so much, so I’ve given up on most baking for the moment.) He does, however LOVE “my” brownies (rightfully taken from Grandma, who adapted it from the 50s Hamilton Beach cookbook.) Very fudgey, and best served still warm.
Brownies
¾ c sifted flour
1 c sugar
5 Tbsp cocoa
½ tsp salt
½ c shortening
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
½ c walnuts (I use 1/2 c chocolate chips instead. Extra fudgey!)
Beat ingredients with mixer for 3 min, (the batter should be fluffy.) Fold in walnuts/chocolate chips. Spread into greased square cake pan. Bake at 350°F for 30 min.
(You could always use hot fudge drizzle, or a few caramel, mint, or butterscotch chips in them too, for variety – and sugar overload!)
Hope this helps!
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Brownies in the oven. I have my doubts, but we’ll see shortly.
Check this website out!
People actually admit to prefering boxed over homemade! This recipe comes complete with the crackly topping – does that make any sense? So fudgy and good, even better the second day! Hope you give it a try – by the way your 8 month baby belly looks more like 5 months!!! So cute
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/03/09/chewy-brownies/#more-5616
i really never make brownies for some reason. weird. cant wait to copy whatever recipe you end up using.
awwwww…bella. (thats an old pic, yes?)
Yes and old picture of Bella…the little kitty that died on our kitchen floor. Sounds morbid – but it was actually kind of hilarious. In a sick way.
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