13 Twists on Brownies
Rich, fudgy brownies are already on the list of the world's most irresistible foods. And these riffs make them even irresistibler!
Fudgy One-Pot Brownies
Our couldn't-be-easier brownie recipe is your starting point. Then go to town with nuts, candy, spices -- and a whole lot more!
Choco-Mint Sandwiches
Mix 10 oz. white chocolate, melted, 1/3 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp. peppermint extract and 4 drops green food color. Spread over cooled brownies in the pan; chill until set. Mix 7 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted, and 1/2 cup heavy cream; spread over mint layer and chill until set.
Chai-Spiced Crispy Treats
Stir 3/4 cup ground cardamom and 1 tsp. ground ginger into the batter; bake and let cool completely. In a medium saucepan, stir 5 oz. marshmallows, 1 1/2 tbsp. butter and 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper over medium heat until smooth. Fold in 3 cups crisped rice cereal. Press onto brownies in the pan.
Kettle Corn Crunch
Fold 1 1/2 cups honey-roasted peanuts into the batter. Scatter 2 cups caramel popcorn over the batter before baking.
German Chocolate
Fold 1 1/2 cups chopped toasted pecans into the batter before baking. Mix 1/2 cup heavy cream with 4 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted. Spread over cooled brownies in the pan. Top with 1 cup toasted coconut.
Triple-Layer S'mores
Mix 1 2/3 cups crushed graham crackers with 6 tbsp. melted butter, 3 tbsp. sugar and a pinch salt; press onto bottom of pan. Bake until golden, about 8 minutes; cool. Top with brownie batter; bake and cool. Scatter 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows on top; broil until golden, about 1 minute.
Cherries Jubilee
Fold 3/4 cup dried cherries and 3/4 cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips into the batter before baking.
Salted Caramel
Stir 1 1/2 cups toffee bits into the batter before baking. Spoon caramel sauce over cooled, sliced brownies. Top with a pinch sea salt.
Raspberry Cheesecake
Beat 4 oz. room-temperature cream cheese, 1 egg yolk, 3 tbsp. sugar and 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract until smooth; dollop over the batter in the pan. Stir 1/3 cup raspberry jam to loosen; dollop over the batter. Gently fold in spots to create swirls. Bake about 1 hour.
Party Animal
Beat together 2 cups confectioners' sugar, 1 stick room-temperature butter, 2 tbsp. milk and 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract. Spread over cooled brownies in the pan. Top with sprinkles and frosted animal crackers.
Wafer Madness
Beat together 2 cups confectioners' sugar, 1 stick room-temperature butter, 2 tbsp. milk, 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract and 2 drops yellow food color. Spread over cooled brownies in the pan. Top with chopped wafer cookies and Pop Rocks candies.
The Elvis Supreme
Beat together 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup peanut butter (not natural), 1/2 stick room-temperature butter and 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract. Spread over cooled brownies in the pan. Top with banana chips and crumbled bacon.
Double Malt
Beat together 1 1/4 cups malted milk powder, 1 stick room-temperature butter, 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, 1/4 cup heavy cream and 2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted. Spread over cooled brownies in the pan. Top with 1 bag (7 oz.) malted milk balls, halved.
