Cookie Dough Brownies

You know those days where you just make cookies to eat the cookie dough? Or brownies just to lick the spatula? It happens. It's real life. For those days, you just need a baked good like this. The best of both worlds. Cookie dough, brownies, and you still get to lick the spatula.
These are made.... with a boxed brownie mix. I know, I know, I know. I'm supposed to be this baker who makes everything from scratch but sometimes you just have to take the easy route. The trick when going for boxed brownies is to splurge a little. Ghirardelli is the way to go.

Go treat yourself. Make these. Lick the bowl clean. Watch a good movie. You'll feel better in no time.
Cookie Dough Brownies
Adapted from Haute Apple Pie

• 9x9 Pan of prepared boxed brownies, cooled
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Beat butter and sugars. Add vanilla. Mix in flour and salt until dough forms. Add chocolate chips.
Spread cookie dough over cooled brownies and freeze for about 20 minutes. Slice and enjoy!

Nutella Brownies

If you're like most, I've probably got you hooked with the title alone. Nutella seems to be all the rage these days and is absolutely exquisite in baked goods.
A few nights ago, a couple of friends and I decided to go for a nice dinner date at a restaurant in a little ghost town on a mountain near us. I thought it would be fun to make dessert for us and enjoy it somewhere after our dinner. We ended up wandering the little town at night carrying a plate of these brownies. After walking up and down hills and steps in my high heels, we settled on a picnic table. We ate at least two brownies each as we watched a group of people pass by on what appeared to be a ghost tour and laughed far too much.
So make these. Go to dinner. Skip dessert. Eat these instead. You won't regret a thing.

Nutella Brownies
Adapted from Forgiving Martha

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 egg whites
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 8x8 baking pan. I used a round pan.
Mix together melted butter and sugar.

Add vanilla and eggs. Mix well.

Add cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until completely combined.

Fold in Nutella and white chocolate chips.

Pour batter into pan.

Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a set and a tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 15-20 minutes and enjoy.

German Chocolate Cake Brownies

Yesterday you were in trouble and today you need to impress a girl or boy? Well, you're in luck. I like to call these "Fall in love with me" brownies. It works. Trust me.
Girls like chocolate. And you know what they like even more than that? Boys who can bake them something with chocolate. True story.
Boys are suckers for a good baked good. Just show up with these and you're set. If he isn't impressed well...he's clearly crazy.
So go grab some chocolate and impress some people.
These brownies are more cakey than fudgy. The brownie itself isn't hugely sweet but the frosting makes it perfectly sweet. As a last minute idea, I added some Almond Joy Pieces that I had left over. You can leave them out but I thought they added a nice touch to the brownie and made it a little more interesting.

German Chocolate Cake Brownies
Recipe adapted from The Taste of Home Baking Book


Brownies:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate squares
• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3-1/2 cup Almond Joy Pieces

Topping:

• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 350.

In a heavy medium saucepan, melt the butter and chocolates until smooth. Remove from the heat and cool. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add the eggs until well mixed. Then add the flour, baking powder, and salt until fully combined.

Pour mixture into a greased 9x9 baking pan.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

For the topping, combine all ingredients and mix well. Drop by tablespoons onto warm brownies and spread.
Broil brownies for 2-4 minutes until topping is slightly browned.
Cool brownies and enjoy.