topic Re: Brownies in Kitchen

Brownies

QVCkitty1 — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:40:23 GMT

I always keep a brownie mix on hand and my hands down favorite is Ghirardelli. Recently I tried the Dolly Parton mix by Duncan Hines and was underwhelmed. The brownies just weren't as chocolately which is kind of the point of brownies, at least for me. The mix called for melted butter and I prefer using oil . I'll stick with Ghirardelli , how about you, if you've tried Dolly's mix , did you think it was special ?

Re: Brownies

Suzeecat — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:02:45 GMT

The Costco Ghirardelli mix is my go-to. In fact, I'm not allowed in my ladies' weekend getaway without a container-full, LOL!

Re: Brownies

msgb — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:03:53 GMT

We always keep a brownie mix in the house too. Mainly also for the fact that it is chocolate and there are times when you just crave chocolate. I know that there are some box mixes that we like more than others but I usually just pick up which ever is on sale at the moment and says--fudge or deep chocolate. Most of the time we add something to them (chips, mint patties, raisins, etc). I do know that most of the box mixes we have use oil and not butter.

Re: Brownies

Effie54 — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:08:39 GMT

Ghiradelli chocolate brownies are the best. Yum! When I make them, I don't use oil. I just can't stand the taste of oil in any of my baked goods. I either use butter, flavored Crisco, or real butter. Everything comes out so much better.

Re: Brownies

Big Joanie — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:48:16 GMT

YES .. the Ghiradelli are the best ....Yum

Re: Brownies

Sooner — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:58:39 GMT

Katharyn Hepburn's Brownies
Just keep this and you won't need a mix! These are pantry friendly, super one-pot easy and very good!
Ingredients
½ cup cocoa or 2 squares (2 oz.) unsweetened baker's chocolate
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1 cup roughly chopped walnuts or pecans

Directions
Melt butter with the cocoa or chocolate together in a heavy saucepan over medium low, whisking constantly till blended. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and walnuts. Mix well.
Pour into a well buttered 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for about 40 minutes till a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely and cut into squares. These brownies are very fudgy and may be somewhat difficult to slice cleanly; use a sharp knife and a spatula to help them loosen from the baking dish.

Re: Brownies

RollTide2008 — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 15:18:05 GMT

I think the Duncan Hines mixes require a little doctoring. I usually use butter instead of oil, add an extra egg, and use milk or coffee instead of water. I also add a capful of vanilla and sometimes some cinnamon and a handful of chocolate chips.

Re: Brownies

faeriemoon — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 15:39:12 GMT

I always use Ghirardelli too. I usually substitute milk for water, and I add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder, and a teaspoon of vanilla.

Re: Brownies

Ainhisg — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 16:24:24 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
Katharyn Hepburn's Brownies

Just keep this and you won't need a mix! These are pantry friendly, super one-pot easy and very good!

Ingredients
½ cup cocoa or 2 squares (2 oz.) unsweetened baker's chocolate
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1 cup roughly chopped walnuts or pecans
Directions
Melt butter with the cocoa or chocolate together in a heavy saucepan over medium low, whisking constantly till blended. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and walnuts. Mix well.
Pour into a well buttered 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for about 40 minutes till a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely and cut into squares. These brownies are very fudgy and may be somewhat difficult to slice cleanly; use a sharp knife and a spatula to help them loosen from the baking dish.

@Sooner posted this recipe several months ago, and I am here to tell you that these brownies are the bomb! They are my favorite recipe, and I will never buy another mix again. You can also double the recipe and bake it in a 9 x 13 pan for a slightly longer time.

Re: Brownies

RespectLife — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 16:57:02 GMT

@Sooner

I honestly have never had brownies made with butter!!

Like others, my backup is a Ghiradelli box I keep for the grandkids, who won't eat my fabulous cheesecakes! LOL

Or pies, or anyother non-chocolate desserts! So a pan of brownies is always added.

I am gonna have to try these though.

I have all ingredients all the time!

Thanks for posting, but one question for you and those that have made this recipe.

Which type of cocoa do you use?

I have Dark Special, Dutch Processed and Natural....

TIA!

Re: Brownies

Sooner — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:29:07 GMT

@RespectLife These brownies to me really are wonderful! I use any kind of cocoa or chocolate I have (usually just Hershey's) and have never been disappointed. It is amazing how easy these are to make.

Re: Brownies

AuntG — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:35:30 GMT

Right now I have two box mixes in the pantry. I pull them out when I don't have anything made for dessert. My husband loves brownies!

Re: Brownies

781Florist — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 18:32:19 GMT

Does anyone know the secret to having brownies with a more cake-like texture than a gooey texture? I dislike that "mouth-feel" and it almost seems like the brownies aren't fully cooked.

I have wanted to make some brownies for a while now, but I want to be sure I get the right type mix to get my preferred type of brownie!

Re: Brownies

RespectLife — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:13:05 GMT

@781Florist

Many times, there are directions on box mixes to make more 'cake like' but I always thought it was an extra egg that makes it more cake.

I get ya! Sometimes I don't care for that 'raw, uncooked' type brownie.

Re: Brownies

RespectLife — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:14:19 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
@RespectLife These brownies to me really are wonderful! I use any kind of cocoa or chocolate I have (usually just Hershey's) and have never been disappointed. It is amazing how easy these are to make.

Thanks @Sooner

My dark special is Hersheys, but I have been buying Ghiradelli Dutch and Natural (at Wally) and I find it to be supurb quality cocoa!!!

Re: Brownies

Patriot3 — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:51:01 GMT

I have always used Betty Crocker Fudge brownies and put lots of walnuts in them. I've tried others, but always come back to these. They are fudgey in the center. I guess I like them like that and so does my family.

Re: Brownies

Ainhisg — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 21:40:14 GMT

@RespectLife I use regular Hershey's cocoa. Because there's little flour in this recipe, regular cocoa provides plenty of a chocolate punch. I also use salted butter and omit the pinch of salt.

Re: Brownies

ECBG — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 23:19:20 GMT

LOVE Ghirardelli, hands down!!!