Need a quick dessert for the holidays that everyone in the family will like? Then, this simple and festive brownie cake is just what you are looking for.
Blake (4 1/2 years old) added just three ingredients (water, oil and egg) to the triple-chunk brownie mix. And yes, he is wearing a Pillsbury® Bake-Off® apron --this is a kid who really likes to cook and bake.
Blake's brother, Finn (1 1/2 years old) had to get into the act too. He pushed his stool up to the counter to help. He somehow got some of the batter on his face and lots of it on his hands too, in the end. But, baking is so much fun, isn't it?
Grandma Andi helped, just a little, to spread the batter into the cake pan. After the cake was cool, we made a simple buttercream frosting to spread over the cake. And the boys sprinkled on the chocolate candies and confetti.
Christmas Brownie Cake
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish: 1 hour 25 minutes
Brownies
1 package (18.9 oz) Betty Crocker®Triple Chunk brownie mix
¼ cup water
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 egg
Frosting
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 to 4 tablespoons half-and-half or milk
¼ cup red and green candy-coated milk chocolate candies
2 teaspoon edible holly berry confetti
Heat oven to 350°F for shiny metal pan or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan. Spray bottom of pan with cooking spray. Line pan with parchment paper; spray paper with cooking spray.
In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, water, oil and egg until well blended. Spread in pan.
Bake 33 to 36 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean; cool 15 minutes. Remove to cooling rack or serving plate; cool completely, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, make frosting. In medium bowl, beat butter with electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar; beat on medium speed until well blended. Beat in vanilla and 2 tablespoons of the half-and-half. Add more half-and-half as needed for desired spreading consistency.
Sprinkle chocolate candies and confetti over frosting.
12 servings
Tips:
This is a recipe that the kids will like to help make—maybe even for Santa. Toddlers can sprinkle the top of the cake with the chocolate candies and confetti.
Don’t have red and green candy-coated milk chocolate candies? Any of your favorite candies or candy sprinkles can be sprinkled over the top of this cake.