Tips for making Brownies

[dthogue]

I have been "volunteered" to make a large amount of brownies for a fundraiser this weekend - and in the past I haven't had much success in making brownies so I'm looking for help. I have tried using various box mixes, but it seems that to get the middle completely baked, the edges are hard??? Does anyone have a good scratch brownie recipe - or suggestions what type of box mixes have worked well for them?

I did read somewhere about using a plastic knife to cut them, and that has worked well in the past.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[scrapquitler]

I have been "volunteered" to make a large amount of brownies for a fundraiser this weekend - and in the past I haven't had much success in making brownies so I'm looking for help. I have tried using various box mixes, but it seems that to get the middle completely baked, the edges are hard??? Does anyone have a good scratch brownie recipe - or suggestions what type of box mixes have worked well for them?

I did read somewhere about using a plastic knife to cut them, and that has worked well in the past.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Bake them like cupcakes. Put cupcake liners in your muffin pans and pour the mix into them as if you were making cupcakes. The last time I went to an event, my friend did this and I thought it was a great idea. I'm going to do it next time I make brownies.


I use the Duncan Hines mix.

 

[ShiPooOwner]

I don't think I'd worry about the two textures. When I made brownies for a get together with friends recently, they fought over the pieces that had hard,crispy edges. They all wanted those and not the nice moist center pieces!

 

[mjkacmom]

Go buy a 1/2 sheet cake pan (AC Moore has them). Go to costco, and buy the Ghiradeli brownie mix (6 bags in the box). Line the pan with reynolds wrap quick release. Mix the brownie mix with the oil, water, and eggs (directions for different sized pans on the box), and bake for 50 minutes. Cool, wrap, and put in the freezer. When frozen, take out of freezer for ten minutes, then cut.

Best brownies ever! Easiest brownies ever!

 

[mhsjax]

For some strange reason, my mom found this to be true also, but when we used a box mis for a 9X13 pan, we had the same problem as you stated. But when we do a square 8X8 pan, no problem. Try that size and see if it works, you may have to make more, but they are so easy, so it really isn't a big deal.

We did just make cream cheese and choc brownies for DS home eco. class. It was a Southern living recipe and it was a pain in the butt. 3 separate bowls for the dough. They baked up great, but I wouldn't suggest doing anything from scratch for a big gathering, unless someone has an easy recipe.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Go buy a 1/2 sheet cake pan (AC Moore has them). Go to costco, and buy the Ghiradeli brownie mix (6 bags in the box). Line the pan with reynolds wrap quick release. Mix the brownie mix with the oil, water, and eggs (directions for different sized pans on the box), and bake for 50 minutes. Cool, wrap, and put in the freezer. When frozen, take out of freezer for ten minutes, then cut.

Best brownies ever! Easiest brownies ever!

ITA! Awesome brownies!

 

[SYDCOLEMOM]

I received the "Perfect Brownie Pan" for a gift for Christmas. I was skeptical but it makes the PERFECT brownies already cut into just right portion size squares. I believe it cuts the 9X13 pan into 18 squares. I have used many different kinds of mixes and with this pan they all come out just right. Its nice to not have to worry about cutting them up....I always make a huge mess. You can get the pan at Walmart.

 

[lizabu]

Bake them in smaller pans. I once tried to make a huge batch of brownies for an event at a restaraunt and I used a huge sheet pan and it took forever for the center to cook. Better off doing a number of batches in small pans. The idea of using muffin tins is brilliant too.

 

[Kellydelly]

My secret to perfect brownies is to bake them for 25 minutes (9x13 glass dish), turn the oven off, and leave them in the oven for another 10 minutes. I use the Aldi's brand brownies and add half a bag of chocolate chips to the mix. The brownies turn out moist and delicious .

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Go to costco, and buy the Ghiradeli brownie mix

I agree that if you are going to use a mix, that Ghirardelli brand is the best.

 

[Pirate1+Princess4]

Costco Ghiradelli is super yummy and you get the equivalent of 6 boxes in one box. And you can make as many as you need or as you have pans for.

I just learned this trick from a friend. Line the pan with parchment (I think a PP suggested the coated aluminum foil, but I haven't tried it). After they cool a bit and set up, you can lift them out onto a cooling rack or cutting board. MUCH easier to cut with a large knife when you aren't fighting the pan sides.

ETA: I find that brownies, as with pizza, people have very specific preferences. Some like the crunchy outer pieces and some like the gooey inner pieces. So for a large gathering, you are OK if each and every brownie isn't perfect.

 

[girli565]

This is a tip my mom taught me...

as soon as they're out of the oven cut them into squares using a plastic knife. the knife may bend a bit from the heat but just use another one. This cuts the brownies perfectly. Once cut let them cool in the pan before trying to take them out.

 

[girli565]

Here's the recipe I use. It's so delicious. Just be sure not to overbeat the batter once you put the flour in. http://baking.about.com/od/brownies/r/ultimate.htm

 

[ceecee]

I received the "Perfect Brownie Pan" for a gift for Christmas. I was skeptical but it makes the PERFECT brownies already cut into just right portion size squares. I believe it cuts the 9X13 pan into 18 squares. I have used many different kinds of mixes and with this pan they all come out just right. Its nice to not have to worry about cutting them up....I always make a huge mess. You can get the pan at Walmart.

We have this too, perfect every time. Problem is with one pan you can only make one batch at a time. Ghardelli is a great mix, but it's pricey. I used Duncan Hines (on sale for .99) and poured a little caramel sauce on before baking and they were the hit. I had to make 4 dozen that time and didn't want to spend close to $3 on a mix.

 

[marthachick]

Sometimes when I am making several batches of brownies for something, if I want to make it a little different, I'll 'jazz them up' a bit. I might add toffee chips & chocolate chips to one batch, peanut butter & chocolate chips to another, do 1 batch plain, and maybe put chocolate icing on the 4th batch. And I use whatever brownie mix is the cheapest, Duncan Hines, Pillsbury or even store brand. Always get rave reviews.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I use the 9x13 mix BUT use an 8x8 pan - I add 3 eggs instead of 2, then the oil and water - bake them for 52-53 minutes.
I had a bunch of leftover candy from DD9's birthday party - stirred in a cupful of crushed butterfingers into one batch...

 

[disprincessatheart]

If they are for more than myself and dh I use the muffin tin. I don't bother with the cupcake wrappers though, just spray Pam or baking spray in each hole. They bake up with enough crust not to need the wrapper. I use one box of batter per twelve brownies. They cook nicely and no cutting needed. Once I put a mini reeces pb cup in the middle of each when they came out of the oven, but for a large group pb might not be a good idea in case of allergies

 

[Bkk40in2011]

I agree with the turning the oven off. This is the real tip to even brownies. Good luck!

 

[lattemomof3]

This is a tip my mom taught me...

as soon as they're out of the oven cut them into squares using a plastic knife. the knife may bend a bit from the heat but just use another one. This cuts the brownies perfectly. Once cut let them cool in the pan before trying to take them out.

This worked so perfectly I could hug you! Our favorite brownie stand by is what my ds named "brookies", part brownie, part cookie- try them, they are so easy but sooooo good! They disapear 1st at bake sales! Just make a boxed brownie mix according to the package, pour into a 9x13 pan sprayed w/ cooking spray, then mix up a bag of the Betty Crocker (or whatever brand) of cookie mix- we usually use choc chip but dd is making them w/ pb cookie mix right now- then drop the cookie dough onto the brownies by large tablespoons full (not an exact science, it all melds together while cooking so don't worry too much about perfect spacing ), then press the cookie dough down into the brownie batter a smidge. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, then turn the oven off and bake 10 more minutes. THEN take them out of the oven and do the magic trick above! I could never get them to cut very well, as they are nice and gooey, but this works so well! We have made this recipe many, many times & now they look as great as they taste!

 

[mjkacmom]

This worked so perfectly I could hug you! Our favorite brownie stand by is what my ds named "brookies", part brownie, part cookie- try them, they are so easy but sooooo good! They disapear 1st at bake sales! Just make a boxed brownie mix according to the package, pour into a 9x13 pan sprayed w/ cooking spray, then mix up a bag of the Betty Crocker (or whatever brand) of cookie mix- we usually use choc chip but dd is making them w/ pb cookie mix right now- then drop the cookie dough onto the brownies by large tablespoons full (not an exact science, it all melds together while cooking so don't worry too much about perfect spacing ), then press the cookie dough down into the brownie batter a smidge. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, then turn the oven off and bake 10 more minutes. THEN take them out of the oven and do the magic trick above! I could never get them to cut very well, as they are nice and gooey, but this works so well! We have made this recipe many, many times & now they look as great as they taste!

And if you need an amazing gluten free treat, this recipe can be made with BC gluten free brownie and cookie mixes - dd's class RAVES about them, and when I have some frozen ones, dd's friends beg me for them.