Cookie Butter Brownies

One of my favorite things is Cookie Butter.  I can eat it by the spoonfuls.  When I saw this recipe for Cookie Butter Brownies  - I thought it doesn't get any better than this.  Rich fudge like brownies with delicious bites flavored with Cookie Butter.  Love it.  These brownies did not disappoint.  They were fantastic.  Some of the best brownies I have ever eaten.

It was a bit difficult to get pictures because the brownies disappeared.  Everyone loved them.  Just need to make some more.

Cookie Butter Brownies
Olive and Tate Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 sticks (1 cup) melted butter
1 1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips
2 big spoonfuls of Cookie Butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Grease an 8x8 or 9x9 pan.
2. In a stand mixer, mix eggs on medium speed. Once eggs are light yellow in color, add in both sugars and continue mixing at medium speed.
3. Add melted butter, cocoa, salt, vanilla and flour. Mix until fully combined, making sure to scrape flour off of the sides of your bowl so that it can all be incorporated. Turn off mixer and fold in chocolate chips.
4.Pour mix into pan and spread it evenly. Drop small blobs of Cookie Butter all around the pan, gently blend in to the batter, using a fork.

5. Bake 50 mins or until cooked through.

Christmas: Red Velvet Peppermint Swirl Brownies

Red Velvet-Peppermint Brownies

When I read the title of this recipe, I knew I had to make it.  I love red velvet anything, add peppermint and cream cheese,  and I am in dessert heaven.   Being it is the holiday time, I do not need an excuse to bake something yummy.   I don't worry about the calories,  I just go for it.   I was surprised on how easy these brownies were to make.  You make two layers - the chocolate layer and the cream cheese layer.  Swirl them together and you have beautiful and tasty brownies.
For the chocolate layer:  The chocolate is melted with  the butter in the microwave.  Eggs are then added along with the food coloring, peppermint extract and vanilla extract.  Stir until everything is combined and stir in the dry ingredients.  The batter is poured into a lined 13x9-inch baking dish.
For the cream cheese layer: Next you make the cream cheese topping.  Cream cheese and sugar are beat at medium speed until fluffy.  Add egg whites and vanilla extract and beat until combined.  Stir in the flour and the cream cheese layer is complete.  Spoon it over the brownie batter and swirl the cream cheese into the brownie layer and bake.  Remove the brownies from the oven and cool completely before cutting into squares.
The result: Delicious brownies with melt in your mouth goodness.  They are more fudgy than cake like.  The taste of peppermint is ever so mild and that makes these brownies extra good.  They are a  great treat for your family and friends or to put in your holiday goodie tins:)

Red Velvet-Peppermint Swirl Brownies
From Southern Living Magazine

Ingredients:

1 (4-ounce) bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
3/4 cup butter
2 1/4 cups sugar, divided
4 large eggs
1 (1-ounce) bottle red liquid food coloring
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line bottom and sides of a 13x9-inch pan with aluminum foil, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.
2. Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring at 30-second intervals.  Whisk in 2 cups sugar.  Add eggs, 1 at a time whisking just until blended  after each addition.  Add food coloring, peppermint extract, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Gently stir in 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Chocolate and Butter

Melted Chocolate and Butter

3. Beat cream cheese and remaining 1/4 cup sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy.  Add egg whites and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla, and beat until blended.  Stir in 2 tablespoons flour until smooth.  Drop cream cheese mixture by heaping tablespoonfuls over batter in pan; gently swirl with a knife.

Chocolate Layer

Dollops of Cream Cheese on Chocolate Layer

Cream Cheese Swirled in Chocolate Layer

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 32 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs.  Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 1 hour).  Lift brownies from pan, using foil sides as handles.  Gently remove foil; cut brownies into squares.

Makes about 2 dozen

Baked Goodness

Fourth of July: Dulce de Leche Brownies

Wow I don't remember the last time I ate a brownie sooo delicious.     It is hard to believe something that tastes so good is so simple to make.  Perfect for the upcoming holiday or just great anytime.  Instead of making the Dulce de Leche and the brownie mix from scratch, I did a very semi homemade brownie.

I started by buying my favorite brownie mix - Duncan Hines Double Decadent Brownie Mix and a can of Dulce de Leche.  That is it.  Two main ingredients for  a  slightly chewy delicious brownie with the goodness of Dulce de Leche.

I prepared the brownie mix using the instructions for cake like brownies.  I spread half the batter in an 8x8-inch baking dish that was lined with foil that was lightly sprayed.   Next, I dropped spoonfuls of the Dulce de Leche on top of the batter and made swirly design patterns in the brownies  using a knife.  I then spread the remaining brownie batter over the swirled batter.  I then repeated the process with the Dulce de leche.

I baked the brownies according to package directions and let them cool.

Of course the family had to sample the brownies and all agreed they were delicious.

Dulce de Leche Brownies

Ingredients:

1 box of  Duncan Hines Double Decadent Brownie Mix or your favorite brownie mix
1 cup of Dulce de Leche
Ingredients on back of brownie box for cake like brownies

Directions:

1. Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with foil.  Spray lightly with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions following instructions for cake like brownies.
3. Spread half of the brownie batter in the prepared pan.
4. Drop by spoonfuls half of the Dulce de leche on top of the brownie batter.   Using a knife make swirly patterns through the Dulce de leche and brownie batter.
5. Spread the remaining batter over the top of the first layer.  Repeat with the remaining Dulce de Leche.
6.  Bake according to package directions.  Remove from oven and cool.  Cut into 16 squares.

Makes 16 brownies