Chocolate Brownies: Great Twists on an Old Favorite

Chocolate brownies are a great starter dessert for beginner bakers, and a quick and easy option for more experienced ones, as well. But whether homemade or from a mix, brownies beg for experimentation. Chocoholics, fruit lovers and calorie-counters can all indulge in trifles, tortes, dessert pizza and other recipes.

Brownie Dessert Pizza

1. Fill a pizza pan with brownie mix so your dessert pizza is easy to slice and fun to decorate. Try our recipe for brownie ‘n’ berries dessert pizza.
2. Add cream cheese and other spreads on top after baking.
3. For color, create a design with blueberries, strawberry slices or raspberries.

Brownie Trifles

Trifles appear sophisticated but are actually simple to make. The layered dessert is served either in separate dishes or a trifle bowl, exposing the layers. Typically, it consists of custard and cake soaked in liqueur or jam, but brownies can be used, too.

• Layer 1-inch brownie pieces or crumbles between chocolate mousse, cream or jam. Drained or canned pie cherries are also easy to layer. Then add the same ingredients used between layers—such as whipped cream, caramel or chopped nuts—on top.

• Using Betty Crocker® fudge brownie mix, try our caramel cream brownie trifle.

• For mocha lovers, add instant coffee granules and toffee bits to our fudgy brownie trifle.

HELPFUL HINT: A clear glass bowl with a stem shows off your recipe and can be refrigerated a day in advance.

Tortes

Use any brownie mix or recipe for a twist on this flourless dessert. Simply bake the brownies and cut into equal, rectangular pieces and layer with jam, cream or frosting.

• Use a large, flat pan (15 x 10 x 1 inch) for more layers, or a smaller one (13 x 9 inch) for fewer, thicker layers.

• Whipped cream, Cool Whip or frosting can be used between layers and on the top and sides, as in our chocolate chip brownie torte.

• Frosting can be microwaved and poured over the brownie slices. Like a cake, though, wait until it has cooled if you want thick frosting or cream layers.

• Add a layer of chips or chopped peanut butter cup candy on top, like in our recipe for candy-topped brownie torte.

• For a chilly treat, spread soft ice cream across the layers. When finished, freeze it until you’re ready to serve.

HELPFUL HINT: Cut crosswise and serve triangular slices, or garnish with sliced strawberries and chocolate curls.

Brownie Bites

These tiny brownie snacks cut down on both guilt and time. They’re made just like brownies, only in a mini muffin tin, taking about half the time to bake.

• For an indulgent variety, try ganache-topped brownie bites by heating whipping cream and chocolate chips, cooling them and spooning them on top.

• Like regular brownies, stir in peanut butter or another favorite ingredient before baking.

Making Garnishes

Chocolate shavings or curls add flavor and flare to any dessert. Here’s how to make a garnish for a dessert:

• Let a milk chocolate bar sit in a warm place for 10 minutes.

• Using long, thin strokes, pull a vegetable peeler across the chocolate bar.

• Use a toothpick to place the curls or shavings on top of the trifle or other dessert.

• For extra pizzazz, add whipped cream, nuts or berries and a sprig of mint leaves.

Low-fat Secrets

• Some low-fat brownie recipes call for buckwheat flour, egg whites or vegetable oil.

• Unsweetened applesauce or yogurt is often used in place of oil or butter as a fat substitute for baking healthier recipes.

• Try Betty Crocker “Healthified” brownie recipes:
• "Healthified" Chocolate Lovers' Brownies
• "Healthified" Brownie Cookies