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
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
- 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.
- Chop all candy into chunks. Prepare brownie mix according to box directions (I like fudgy.) Fold in chopped candy.
- Spread as evenly into prepared pan as you can. Lightly warm fudge sauce. Using about 4-5 spoonfuls, drizzle across the top.
- 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.
- 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.
I’m sharing at some of these great parties!
Anita at Hungry Couple says
Well, for what it’s worth, Brian is extremely fond of the Ghirardelli brownie box mix and I have yet to make brownies from scratch that he likes even half as much. 🙂 You do what you do, sister, and don’t take crap from anyone.
Joan Hayes says
Thanks Anita! Some box mixes just can’t be beat!
Michelle says
Score for you, girl! These rock!
I am so glad you posted this. It’s not the food snobbery that’s getting to me lately, it’s snobbery about blogging in general. I’ve been reading tutorials and “top 10s” on what I *should* be doing as a blogger. Apparently everything I do is a big fat wrong. I don’t have a fancy pants camera for gorgeous pictures. Worse, I don’t always have access to natural light. I post thumbnail images on Google+ instead of full size. No twitter account or FB page for my blog. Sorry to get carried away–it’s really grating on me! So…I completely understand your frustrations with the snobbery.
Joan Hayes says
Michelle, what, you’re not on FB? Or Twitter? You’re life must be so peaceful! I love social media (well, not twitter) but it can overwhelm a person trying to keep up with the “popular” kids. Keep it about the food and how can we go wrong!
Jenn says
I was just craving brownies and these look very decadent and delicious!
Patty says
Hi Joan!
I really enjoyed your post – all your food for thought and reading the comments-never a dull moment at Chocolate, Chocolate and More..which is why I like visiting here, besides all the yummy treats you post here;-)
Recently I visited St. Louis where I was determined to try a slice of ‘gooey butter cake’ but when I asked where was the best place to find it- the overwhelming response was-forget the cake, you have to try the ‘gooey butter cookies’ and the coffee place by our hotel has them fresh every afternoon…so, of course I made it my business to go over there and get one and let me tell you I was not disappointed. Right away, my first bite and I told my husband this tastes like cake mix and I mean in the best possible way;-) When I checked the recipe, which is all over the web, sure enough cake mix is one of the ingredients and being a girl whose mom always baked with cake mixes I will always have a soft spot for the flavor of cake mix especially when one of the other ingredients is cream cheese and don’t forget the butter….
Just had to share my latest cake mix experience which I guarantee was one of the best I’ve had since the days when we got to lick the bowl/spoon/beaters after mom whipped up a cake made from a mix-it’s really more about the love we share with our families when we bake then anything else!!!!
Joan Hayes says
Patty, I love your story, of course now I want one of those cookies! You are so right, it’s the memories we’re making and the love we include with those memories that matter in the end.
Rachel O. says
Cake box or not, buying ingredients pre-made or not, food is still food. There might be a lot of people out there who don’t understand that. I’m sorry you were offended – perhaps this person was ignorant and hasn’t tasted anything out of a box before. Spreading the word and making delicious recipes like this is a great way to change their mind 🙂 Seriously, those brownies look heavenly. I might have to pick up the ingredients to make these for my husband this week – he has a soft spot for chocolate covered brownies
Joan Hayes says
Thanks Rachel, I’m calmed down now, hehe. I just want everyone to be proud when they get in the kitchen and make something. Who cares what the ingredients are.
Natasha SerenityYou says
oh Joan!!! I think I’ve died and gone to heaven !!!
Natasha @ ww.serenityyou.com
Joan Hayes says
Thanks Natasha!
April says
I completely agree. I am new to the blog scene and after reading a few of these baking blogs I have seen a definite mixture in baking types. I believe that it doesn’t matter what you bake with as long as you bake with love.
Thank you for this post. I cant wait to try this recipe…it looks GREAT!
April @ bakingandreading.blogspot.com
Joan Hayes says
Thanks April, Baking with love IS the most important ingredient!
Robin @ Fluster Buster says
Bye-Bye diet! Hello choclatey goodness! I am a new follower! I found your link on Flamingo Toes. I would love for you to link up to my weekly linky party Fluster Muster on Wednesday’s @ https://www.FlusterBuster.com.
Chandra@The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says
Hear Hear Joan! I am with you on the making my life easier! There are snobs every where and I am sure that I am guilty. But never on was to make a mom’s life easier! Oh and I want some of those brownies! Yum-o! Thanks so much for Linking up at Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s!
Joan Hayes says
Thanks Chandra! Here, here for making Mom’s life easier.
Rita says
You go girl! These look marvelous!
www.you-made-that.com says
I’m right there with you, I grew up the same way. My mom was the best box cook ever she always made it taste homemade somehow and I thought she was a great cook. Your right the world is full of every type of personality known to man snobs included. As long as it tastes great its all good. I happen to like boxed brownies and cream of chicken or mushroom soup and you know that is a cardinal sin to some people 🙂 great post and please don’t worry you roll out some fabulous recipes on here!!
Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet } says
What a fantastic post! I have no bias to using a cake mix to make something. In fact that was how I grew up too. To this day, I love eating the mix with a bit a water in a bowl – tasty. Smile. Within the blogging world, as long as you are writing from your heart and being authentic to who you are and you are proud of who you are, that is all that matters!! Love your blog and love this recipe!!!! Rock on!
Jen Laceda | Tartine and Apron Strings says
Box baking – everyone grew up with it!!! But it takes a special talent to “modernize” it a bit and make it extraordinary. Love all the treats here! It shows that there’s really nothing wrong with shortcut box baking when you put a little twist to it! In fact, it churns out some very special sweets!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
Great post, Joan. I love making things from scratch, but as a full-time working both inside and outside the house mom, sometimes life calls for a box mix. I’m not ashamed to say I use them – and often. No matter how busy our life is, we always make time to sit down together at the table for our meals…that’s the important part!
Also–drooling over these brownies. Fab pictures, too!
Magic of Spice says
I am so sorry that someones comment hurt your feelings. I am sure you are correct that they did not intend to, but sometimes I don’t think people consider how their words can affect others.
These are simply delightful, and truthfully having the aid of a pre-made mix, might just mean I could actually try them 🙂
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I never understand the food snobs out there. If they never want to use a box mix or a canned good, fine! But why do they have to judge the rest of the world because they do. I read a comment a few months ago that someone criticized a blogger because she didn’t make her ketchup, and she said it was a recipe from scratch! SERIOUSLY?!?!?
I am in love with these brownies, they look insanely delicious to me!
Charlene@APinchofJoy says
You’ve been featured on Busy Monday! Hope you will swing by and grab a featured button from the Button Box. Pinned. Thanks so much for sharing on Busy Monday.
Christine says
Oh gosh! I need to eat some! YUM!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality! I’m looking forward to seeing what you link up this evening! 🙂
Rachel (I Love My Disorganized Life) says
Hey,you know what, Joan? I LOVE using a mix! Sometimes I change it up to make it my own, and sometimes I don’t. I can bake from scratch as well. But you know what? When it comes to cake my kids like the box BETTER! These brownies look awesome! going to have to whip some up for my ‘cheat day’ (trying to eat a bit healthier, but I will ALWAYS have a ‘cheat day’!) Thanks for sharing at Wicked Good Wednesdays!
Sarah E. says
You are so right, Joan! You know, I love making from scratch, but sometimes I just don’t have the time or energy to do it. Your brownies look absolutely amazing 🙂 Stopping in from Two Cup Tuesday. Pinned to share!