Now I love a fancy dessert as much as the next person, and probably more if it involves chocolate, but these days I’m all about finding ways to make things simpler (maybe something about having a tiny baby that needs almost constant attention). Hours creating delicious individual desserts? No thank you. Adding a few things to my trusted brownie mix for a taste bud treat? Yes please.
I’ve shared a few variations on the boxed brownie mix on the blog before like
but today I’m partnering with HP to show you four ways to dress up any boxed brownie mix (I just buy whatever is on sale) to go along with the four ways to use their new HP Pavilion x360 laptop I’ve been loving for the past few weeks.
1. The Batter
In addition to the instructed ingredients, add an extra egg, 1/4 C of chocolate syrup, and a few tablespoons on cream for an extra rich batter.
2. The Mix-insÂ
These also go in the batter, but think candy pieces, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or peanut butter. My favorites include Oreo pieces, Reeces cups, Snickers, Junior Mints, and Almond Joys or swirling in peanut butter, nutella, or caramel sauce (once you’ve poured the batter into the pan).
3. The Frosting
Now, generally brownies go unfrosted at our house. I may sprinkle on a bit of powdered sugar, but more than likely the brownie goes under a large scoop of ice cream and frosting is a bit unnecessary. However, Â if you’re serving the brownies alone, a fun frosting can make all the difference. I love pairing the frosting with a mix-in. For example, one of my very favorites is adding chopped hazelnuts to the batter and then whipping up a nutella frosting. Other great combinations include Almond Joy pieces with coconut frosting, Junior Mint pieces with mint frosting, and peanut butter M&Ms with a whipped peanut butter frosting.
If you’re less concerned with presentation, just create a runny frosting from powdered sugar and milk, add a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter or nutella, or a dash of extract (coconut, vanilla, mint, almond) and drizzle on top of the brownies to serve from the pan. Or, you can cut out individual brownies and make a thicker frosting by using room temperature butter to pipe onto each piece.
4. The Toppings
Don’t forget to add candy pieces, sprinkles, or little embellishments to the top of your finished brownies!
I love that this laptop flips over into a tablet and that whatever mode I’m using it in (tablet, laptop, tent, or stand), it has a touchscreen! Its been a lifesaver for attempting to get work done while holding Linc (sometimes he’d rather nap in my arms and sometimes he’s too cute to put down).
^the cutest nose snuggling little guy (who is wearing a SIX MONTH outfit in these pictures…my not even six week old is in six month clothes…)
^sometimes I’ll cut up cute straws and add them to the frostingÂ
^This picture basically sums up nap time these days (minus the curled hair and the real clothing ;). Using the laptop as a tent is really just an enabler for my late-night netflix watching (why am I just discovering Gilmore Girls?)
Also, did you know HP is on tour with Meghan Trainor? They’re bending all sorts of rules by sharing behind-the-scenes looks of the tour and capturing a “fan generated documentary” of concert footage. Are any of you seeing her in concert? Or just singing “Lips are Moving” on repeat in your head?
Now I love a fancy dessert as much as the next person, and probably more if it involves chocolate, but these days I’m all about finding ways to make things simpler (maybe something about having a tiny baby that needs almost constant attention). Hours creating delicious individual desserts? No thank you. Adding a few things to my trusted brownie mix for a taste bud treat? Yes please.
