Easy brownies perfect for any occasion
It’s true, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Ever notice how people always gather there? Whether baking treats, making dinner or spending time with family and friends, the kitchen is my favorite place to be. Since my day job is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestl?? Test Kitchens, you can bet I love to stir things up. This column lets me pass along to you some of my best recipes, tips and baking secrets.
One of the first things I learned to bake was a pan of brownies. Since they’re easier to make, I still rely on brownies when I need to quickly bake something sweet.
This fudgy treat is a rich reward for everyday occasions, and a great beginners’ baking project. Moist, chewy brownies are suitable for picnics, potlucks, brown bag lunches, or for that ‘I forgot I was supposed to bring cookies!’ occasion, anytime something sweet is called for.
Rich & Chewy Chocolate Brownies made with bittersweet chocolate mix together quickly, and Easy Rocky Road Brownies are even easier with refrigerated brownie dough. Make either in disposable pans for easy transport and cleanup.
Turn everyday chocolate recipes into indulgent desserts with Nestl?? Chocolatier, the premium baking chocolate created specifically for rich and decadent desserts. Check out the chocolate baking ideas for every occasion at www.VeryBestBaking.com and rack up brownie points for baking these easy to make, please-everyone bars!
Rich & Chewy Chocolate Brownies
Makes 2 dozen brownies
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2 tablespoons water
1 2/3 cups (10-ounce package) Nestl?? Chocolatier Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Morsels
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
PREHEAT oven to 350? F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
MICROWAVE sugar, butter and water in large, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 3 minutes until mixture boils, stirring once. Add morsels; stir until melted. Stir in eggs one at a time until incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract .
Add flour, baking soda and salt; stir well. Stir in nuts. Pour into prepared baking pan.
BAKE for 16 to 20 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out still slightly sticky. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.
SAUCEPAN METHOD:
HEAT sugar, butter and water in medium saucepan just to boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Proceed as above.
Nutrition Information per serving: 130 calories; 70 calories from fat; 8 g total fat; 4.5 g saturated fat; 30 mg cholesterol; 70 mg sodium; 15 g carbohydrate; <1 g fiber; 10 g sugars; 2 g protein. Easy Rocky Road Brownies Makes 12 servings 1 package (16 ounces) Nestl?? Toll House Refrigerated Mini Brownie Bites Bar Dough 1/2 cup Nestl?? Toll House Semisweet Chocolate Morsels, divided 1 cup miniature marshmallows 1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped walnuts PREHEAT oven to 350′ F. Grease 8-inch-square baking pan. PLACE whole brownie bar in prepared pan. Allow to soften for 5 to 10 minutes. Using fingertips, pat dough gently to fill pan. BAKE for 24 to 26 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. SPRINKLE 1/4 cup morsels over hot brownie. Let stand for 5 minutes or until morsels are shiny; spread evenly over brownie. Top with marshmallows, remaining morsels and nuts; press down lightly. BAKE for an additional 5 minutes or just until marshmallows just begin to puff. Cool in pan on wire rack for 20 to 30 minutes. Cut into bars with wet knife. Serve warm. Nutrition Information per serving: 240 calories; 110 calories from fat; 12 g total fat; 6 g saturated fat; 25 mg cholesterol; 150 mg sodium; 31 g carbohydrate; <1 g fiber; 23 g sugars; 3 g protein. Jenny Harper is Senior Culinary Specialist for the Nestl?? Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.