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Chocolate Overload Loaded Brownies

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Chocolate Overload Loaded Brownies

 

I created this Chocolate Overload Brownie recipe just so I could get something off my chest.

Snobbery. I can’t stand it. It comes in all forms. It crosses all facets of life. And it starts early in life. In grade school, who’s wearing the designer sneakers and the $300 jacket and it never ends. As we get older, the topics change but the attitude is still there. I’m better than you because or I look down on you because…

I realized yesterday, there is Food snobbery in the blog world. There was a question in a G+ Hang out for bloggers (I really recommend you watch this if you want to improve your writing skills,).

The question was “What are the panelists thoughts on beautiful photography, beautiful writing but the ingredient lists that read boxed cake mix, candy coating, pie filling, corn nuts, etc?”

I realize the person who made this comment meant no offense but I was offended, I was outraged. My feelings were hurt. I lost sleep over this comment.


Here’s a little background about me. I grew up in a single parent home. My mom worked full time. It was the birth of the Microwave and TV dinners were the rage. McDonald’s was just a baby along with all the other fast food joints. Hamburger Helper came along. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Instant this, instant that came on the market. My mom didn’t have time to cook meals that took hours to prepare, nor did she want to, she wasn’t a very good cook. These were the things we ate.

The one thing she did make, and I remember making with her, were her pound cakes. Guess what? They came from a box mix. Duncan Hines to be exact. It was printed on the side panel of every flavor they made. About twice a year, she would go nuts making them, Chocolate, Lemon, Strawberry, Orange. Probably about 20 loaf cakes. Then she’d freeze them and for the next few months we’d have pound cake available.

I still love that pound cake recipe.

Back to present day. Many households are either single parent or both parents work. Kids have more activities after school, we are busier than I ever remember being as a kid. My point is, There is nothing wrong with Boxed mixes! Yes from scratch is healthier, may taste better but not always, may be a little less expensive to make but what is the point of cooking and baking? For me, it’s to have my family all around the table at dinner time, spending time together, enjoying each other, catching up on each other’s day. With teenagers, some days, it’s the only time you see them. My family doesn’t care if I make a cake from a box mix or if I double sifted the cake flour and hand grated the chocolate. They appreciate the cake after the meal with a tall glass of milk. And they appreciate that I MADE the cake and didn’t pick it up at the bakery at Walmart.

I can (and do) bake from scratch. Have you seen my Chocolate Babka or my Petit Fours?  But I’m also not afraid to use a box mix or cereal, Nestle Chocolate chips instead of Ghirardelli, Hershey’s Cocoa instead of a Dutch Processed Cocoa. Never be ashamed of the ingredients you use when cooking. Take pride that you got in the kitchen and got a few pans dirty. That’s what your family will remember.

 

So in honor of Box mixes and to thumb my nose at all the Food Snobs out there I’ve made these Brownies for you. No one even asked if they were made from scratch. They just asked for seconds.

Chocolate Overload Loaded Brownies

Chocolate Overload Loaded Brownies

Chocolate Overload Loaded Brownies

Chocolate Overload Loaded Brownies

Ingredients

  • 1 box Brownie Mix (I used Duncan Hines)
  • ingredients called for on box
  • 1-2 cups chocolate candy-I used Snickers, Milky Ways and Hershey's Kisses
  • 1/2 cup Chocolate Fudge Sauce for Ice cream
  • Canned Chocolate Frosting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven according to box directions. Grease bottom of your brownie pan (size will depend on your mix) I also like to line my pan with parchment paper.
  2. Chop all candy into chunks. Prepare brownie mix according to box directions (I like fudgy.) Fold in chopped candy.
  3. Spread as evenly into prepared pan as you can. Lightly warm fudge sauce. Using about 4-5 spoonfuls, drizzle across the top.
  4. Use a toothpick or knife blade to swirl the fudge sauce into brownies but do not mix in. Bake according to box directions but I had to add about 5 minutes to my time.
  5. Let cool completely before cutting and removing from pan. For added decadence, place about 1/2 cup frosting in sauce pan and heat just until frosting melts. Drizzle over brownies.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Joan Hayes
Chocolate Overload Loaded Brownies
 
 
Looking for more great shortcut treats to make for your hungry family? These are just a “few” ideas from some of my friends
 
Cheesecake Ice Cream from Say Not Sweet Anne
 
Carrot Pumpkin Bundt Cake from Frugal Foodie Mama
Almond Joy Puppy Chow from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Banana Reeses Cookies from Inside Brucrew
Cookies and Cream Funfetti Cookies Cookies from What’s Cooking, Love?
Chocolate Dump Cake from Buns in my Oven
Valentine’s Day Cakies from Couponing and Cooking
Cherry Almond Cupcakes from Shugary Sweets
 
White Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treats from The Kitchen is my Playground
 
Apple Pie Cupcakes from The Melrose Family
Peanut Butter Glazed Brownies from Mom’s Test Kitchen
Fully Loaded Hot Fudge Bars from Back for Seconds
Best Bundt Cake from Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker
Chocolate Covered Cherry Coke Cake from Frugal Foodie Mama
Rainbow Cupcakes from Wine and Glue
Simple Toffee Cookies from Organized Island
Almond Cupcakes with Vanilla-Almond Buttercream from Just a Sliver
Butterfinger Whoopie Pies from Inside Brucrew
 
 
Blueberry Cheesecake Danish from Inside Brucrew
Butterscotch Role Chex Bars from Sweet Twist of Blogging
Dried Fruit and Cereal Bars from Pint Sized Baker
PB&J Cocoa Bars from Back for Seconds
Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie from Frugal Foodie Mama
 
Buckeye Cookie Bites from Lemons for Lulu
 
Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies from DJ’s Sugar Shack
White Chocolate Walnut Pumpkin Bars from What’s Cooking, Love?
Snickerdoodle Candy Cups from Couponing and Cooking
Skinny Cupcakes from Cooking to Perfection
 
Cream Cheese Brownie Cupcakes from The Pink Flour
 
Cheesecake Nutella Twists from Inside Brucrew
Caramel Milky Way Cookies from What’s Cooking, Love?
No Bake S’mores Bars from Little Kitchen Big Flavors
Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes from Couponing and Cooking
Double Chocolate Cake from Just a Sliver
 
Peanut Butter Smores Bars from Back for Seconds
 
Coffee Lovers Cookies from Food Babbles
Butterfinger Cake from Couponing and Cooking
Cupcake Muddy Buddies from Back for Seconds
Gooey Bars from Couponing and Cooking
Cherry Topped Brownie Bites from The Kitchen is my Playground
 
Gooey Triple Chocolate Cake Bars from The Live in Kitchen
 

I’m sharing at some of these great parties!

 

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grace

About Grace

When I was younger, I was constantly in the kitchen helping my mom bake. It was fun getting to play with the flour and always getting to lick the spoon. I’ve always expressed an interest in baking and now I feel that it’s the right time for me to take over. I am a college student working towards a nursing degree as well as a full-time aunt to the sweetest little kids (they might pop up in some of the posts). I’ve learned most of what I know about baking and cooking from my mom, and I am continuing to self-teach through trial and error, which means plenty of sweets to be eaten. Read more...

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Comments

  1. Tanya-Lemonsforlulu.com says

    Fabulous post Joan! I think when we bake, we bake because we love someone. And it doesn’t matter if it’s from scratch or with a little help from store bought ingredients. We still thought enough of someone to make them something! Thanks for putting together all these wonderful recipes! I’m going to keep this as a resource! Thanks for sharing my Buckeye Cookie Bites! My family devoured them and they started with a mix!

    Reply

  2. Judy Vrancken says

    I lived in Hollnad for 9 yeaars and I could not get box anything (cakes or brownies). Everything had to be made from scratch. Now that I am back in the USA, Duncan Hines is my best friend. I love your posts and pin many of your recepies for future use.

    Reply

  4. bakerunlive.com says

    I agree with you. It doesn’t matter if it is from scratch or made from a box, it’s still made with love. Not everyone wants to, or has the time to
    bake from scratch.
    To me, I just want to bake for people. As long as they enjoy it, that is all that matters!

    Reply

  7. theresa houghton says

    I understand that some things are quicker but I guess I belong to the food snob column as I would never feed my family the chemicals that come alone with the box mixes but what you put on your table is your business.

    Reply

    • Joan Hayes says

      I understand your opinion Theresa and I love to bake from scratch as well. I just don’t want anyone to be discouraged from getting into the kitchen and baking. We all start somewhere. Don’t worry, I’ll have some from scratch recipes next week for you!

  8. Rose @ RoseBakes.com says

    Amen, amen, amen!! Most of my recipes start with a mix (not all!) and I’m not ashamed of it AT ALL! I hate that stereotype that if you use a mix, you’re not a real cook, baker, etc. Kudos to you for a fantastic post!!

    Reply

  11. Kalamity Kelli says

    A woman after my own heart! I get overwhelmed sometimes with all the ingredients and honestly sometimes I am bone tired when I get home and the hubs wants something sweet or my mom needs something for her ladies bunco night. I do it because I love them but part of loving them is spending time with them and a box helps me do that. Gee honey, I thought you were The Sugar Superwoman – thanks for letting me know you are normal, I feel much better! xoxoxo

    Reply

    • Joan Hayes says

      Awe Kelli, don’t take away my Superwoman Cape! Sugar comes in so many forms and baking should be about the love and the thought behind what’s made and not what ingredients went into it. Love ya!

  12. Radhika Subramanian says

    Fabulous post Joan. The snobbery is not only in the ingredients but also in the props they use, you know the whole set up. I’m from India and unfortunately I do not get lots of box mixes, except for Betty Crocker. But since they are imported stuff here it costs a lot and making anything from scratch will cost me less than do the same thing with boxed mixes. Food cooked with love for our loved ones is all that matters and anything else is just plain nonsense.

    Reply

  13. Organized Island says

    I am with everyone else here! With busy schedules and all we have to do, why NOT start with a cake or baking mix. Those mixes have the same ingredients…it is like using anseasoned salt or making your own right? Thanks for the link love Joan! XO

    Reply

    • Joan Hayes says

      There’s definitely nothing wrong with starting out with a mix. I will say some mixes do have extra chemicals though. I just think there’s room for everyone as long as we’re getting in the kitchen!

  15. Joan says

    I guess I am a kind of food snob. I love mixes, chemicals and all. But I am not all that crazy about cookies (well, all desserts) that start with a mix and for flavor add extra candies and cookies. Now, that isn’t to say that they aren’t good, just that I don’t like them. I wonder if the fact that I must watch my sugars has anything at all to do with it (probably does).

    Reply

    • Joan Hayes says

      Joan, this doesn’t make you a snob. It’s just your personal preference to enjoy treats with a little less embellishment. Have a wonderful weekend!

  19. The Cooking Actress says

    My mom sounds a lot like your mom 🙂

    I hate snobbery too, even though I know I have unintentionally been the bearer of food snobbery before.

    TO DELICIOUS BROWNIES THAT ARE OUTRAGEOUS AND SINFUL AND EASY! 😀

    Reply

  20. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says

    More power to the mixes!!! I use mixes most of the time when I bake…mostly because it’s easy…but a lot of times because they taste great! I have no problem pulling out my mixes for whatever I want to make! If that makes some look down on me, oh well! It doesn’t bother me any! Give me more overloaded chocolate bars like this is what I say!!!! I love this post Joan!!!

    Reply
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