Chocolate Brownies: Great Twists on an Old Favorite

Brownies of all kinds taught many of us to bake. They’re still a quick and easy option when dessert’s needed. But whether homemade or from a mix, brownies beg for experimentation. Chocoholics, fruit lovers and calorie-counters can all indulge in trifles, tortes, dessert pizzas and other recipes.

Brownie Dessert Pizza

• Fill a pizza pan with brownie batter so your dessert pizza is easy to slice and fun to decorate.
  
  
• Try our recipes Brownie ‘n’ Berries Dessert Pizza, complete with how-to video, Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Pizza and Banana Split Brownie Pizza for inspiration.
  
  
• Find more ideas with a recipe search for ‘dessert pizza.’

Brownie Trifles
Brownie trifles are simple to make, but look spectacular, serve a crowd and can be made ahead. Now, what’s not to like about that! Serve trifles in straight-sided glass bowls, individual dishes or even shot glasses, exposing the layers. 

• Discover all the basics by making the recipes Brownie Trifle and Berry Brownie Parfaits and watching the How to Make a Trifle video.
  
• We’re always adding recipes. Do a ‘trifle’ recipe search!
  
  
• Try our Caramel Cream Brownie Trifle using Betty Crocker® fudge brownie mix.
  
  
• Mocha lovers will cheer for our Fudgy Brownie Trifle flavored with coffee and toffee bits.

FUN FACT: A footed clear glass bowl—called a trifle bowl— shows off your recipe and typically holds three quarts, plenty for a party.


Brownie Tortes
Use brownies for a twist on flourless chocolate cake. Simply bake brownies and cut into equal, rectangular pieces to layer. Or start with a round pan like a springform or layer cake pan and add a topping that’s sweet indulgence.

• Get started with easy top-rated Indulgent Brownie Torte.
  
  
• Discover how to have these make-ahead chilly treats on hand when you put Brownie Ice Cream Torte, complete with how-to video on your list of dessert possibilities!
  
  
• Delight a crowd with one-of-a kind creamy frosted Chocolate Chip Brownie Torte.
  
  
• The beautiful chocolate ganache toppings tortes often feature are easier to make than you think.  Here’s one recipe: Brownie Ganache Torte with Raspberries, made using new Betty Crocker® Gluten Free brownie mix.
  
  
• Garnish with style. Add chopped candies like in our recipe for Candy-Topped Brownie Torte.

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

• For pure indulgence, try Ganache-Topped Brownie Bites!
  
  
• Or enjoy these: Chocolate Truffle Brownie Cups and new Coconut-Almond Brownie Cups.

Molten Brownie Cupcakes

• Bake this scrumptious restaurant specialty in your very own kitchen. Expect oohs and aahs when you offer Midnight Molten Brownie Cupcakes to guests.

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, berries or a sprig of mint.

Low-Fat Secrets

• See how to replace ingredients with great-tasting alternatives and create better-for-you recipes that are just as yummy as the originals when you try these Betty Crocker® “healthified” recipes:
  
  
• "Healthified" Chocolate Lovers' Brownies
• "Healthified" Brownie Cookies