Easy Fudge Brownies

This recipe yields 9 - 12 brownie squares.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

  • 1 1/4 (1/2 lb) cups chocolate chips

  • 4 eggs, room temp

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • 1 cup flour

  • 1 cup dutch-processed dark cocoa powder

  • 2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Grease and line an 8x8” square pan or a 9x13” sheet with parchment paper hanging over the sides.

  2. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and butter together in 30 second intervals, until melted.

  3. Using a whisk or a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add in the eggs, slowly, whisking well between each egg.

  4. Add in the vanilla extract and salt, mixing to combine. Clean the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

  5. Add in both of the sugars to the bowl and continue mixing until well incorporated.

  6. Follow with the flour and cocoa powder and mix until mixtures comes together to form a smooth batter.

  7. Any additions you want to add to the brownie like oreos, nutella, or nuts can be added at this stage and is purely optional.

  8. Spread batter evenly into the greased and lined baking tray and bake in the center rack of the oven. A 8x8” square pan makes a taller brownie and requires roughly 45-50 minutes in the oven whereas a 9x13” pan may only require 35-40 minutes. Test the brownie by jiggling it in the oven and if it doesn’t jiggle in the center, it’s ready.

  9. Allow to cool to room temp before removing from the pan, cut, and serve!

Holiday Cookie Squares

This recipe makes roughly 12 (2”) bars.

Image property of Cake It With Justin

Ingredients

For the blondies:

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 2 eggs, room temp

  • 1 tablespoon Cake Batter extract

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 tsp baking soda

  • 1/4 tsp salt

  • Sprinkles (optional)

For the cream cheese icing:

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temp

  • 1/2 block cream cheese (4 oz)

  • 3 cups powdered sugar

  • 1 tsp cake batter extract

  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350℉ and prep 8” square pan with non-stick baking spray.

  2. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl for 2-3 minutes on medium-high speed.

  3. Add eggs and vanilla to the mixture and beat to combine.

  4. Clean sides of the bowl with spatula and add flour, salt, and baking powder.

  5. On a low to medium speed, combine all of the ingredients until a dough forms.

  6. Press dough into the 8x8” square pan to line the base evenly.

  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until slightly golden brown around the edges and the top of the cookie doesn’t look greasy.

  8. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before removing from pan.

  9. Once cooled, transfer blondie to a flat surface for icing.

  10. For the icing, cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add extract, salt, and powdered sugar to the mixer and mix on a low speed until frosting is smooth and lump free.

  11. With an offset spatula, add the icing to the top of the cookie bar and smooth evenly. For clean cuts and perfect squares, refrigerate before cutting.

  12. Finish with sprinkles, cut into bars or squares, and serve!