Brownie Mix (with variations)

I think we have all become dependent on packaged brownie mixes - there’s probably one in every pantry.  This one however, is one you don’t have to get out a microscope to examine the list of ingredients.  It makes great Brownies, Texas Sheet Cake, and Chewy Chocolate Cookies.

The first brownie appeared in public during the 1893 Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago, Illinois.  The chef at the city’s Palmer House Hotel created it after Bertha Palmer requested a confection that was smaller than a piece of cake and could easily be eaten from boxed lunches.  This same brownie (which had an apricot glaze and walnuts) is said to be made today at the hotel using the original recipe.

Many people feel that brownies shouldn’t need to be turned into a convenience food - it is (after all) one of the most simple recipes out there.  There are some things that I can see buying a shortcut for - one of them being puff pastry!  But for those of us who occasionally want to make a comfort food like brownies without measuring our own ingredients - this mix is a great help.  Measure once, package, and save for a day you don’t want to think before you indulge.

It’s hard to find a basic chocolate cookie that holds up well when frosted, filled, or just eaten plain.  Most fall apart, are crumbly, or are tasteless.  The texture of this cookie resembles a brownie, yet isn’t heavy or dense.  The best part is it’s made from a (homemade) mix that even a child can make.

This cookie is a good base for a lot of our favorite things - nuts, marshmallows, cream filling, chocolate frosting... you name it - it’s always better on a chocolate pillow.  

This made another cookie kit for my grandchildren to use in their Christmas Advent Calendar.  

I placed a disposable decorating bag of mint frosting in with the cookie mix so they didn’t have to make their own frosting (that can be the last straw when you are making cookies with kids!)

The cookie comes together easily with only eggs, flour, baking soda, and a teaspoon of vanilla added to the basic mix.  They bake up puffy, yet chewy - ready to garnish.

I made Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies, and Chocolate Mint Cookies from this basic brownie mix.  I was surprised by how good they were, and they stayed chewy for days. 

You'll find the recipe for the Brownie Mix HERE.

The Chewy Brownie Cookie recipe (with variations) is found HERE.