February 28, 2011

Bite-sized Decadent Brownies


I don't know about you, but I am so ready for spring!  In early anticipation, I decided to bake a treat fit for Easter.  I used a Wilton mini-cupcake silicone mold in adorable daisy shapes and created these decadent brownies.  They're not decadent because they're difficult to make; they're decadent because it's difficult to not overindulge bite after bite.  Before you know it, you've consumed 20 of these little suckers without even realizing it (not that I'm speaking from personal experience or anything like that).  :)

I found the Wilton mini-cupcake daisy mold at the local Christmas Tree Shop and got it for less than $8.  What a great buy!  I know I'm going to be using this often. 

{ Love this mold! }

Ok, so here's why I love these brownie bites!  My favorite part of brownies are the chewy edges.  Yum!  Because these molds create small, individual brownies, they each turn out chewy and delicious.  Almost like chewy chocolate cookies.   And it couldn't get any simpler with a little help from Duncan Hines.  :)  My favorite brownie mix though, if you must know, is Betty Crocker's Triple Chunk Brownies.  That's one serious box of chocolate chewy, gooey goodness.

These brownie bites are scrumptious and addictive just by themselves.  But you can doll them up with a simple swirl of frosting or get really festive with sprinkles and your favorite Easter candy.  I chose to make them more decadent with hazelnut flavored cream cheese frosting, sugar sprinkles, and peanut M&Ms.

One word of caution:  Lightly coat the mini-cupcake pan with cooking spray prior to pouring the batter in.  This will keep it from sticking.  Another tip:  after baking, be sure to let the brownies cool completely in the mold before removing them.  Otherwise, they'll break apart. 

By the way, please don't let my hand in the photos detract you from the treat.  I was obviously not meant to be a hand model like Joey from "Friends" (love that episode!).

Enjoy and cheers to warmer days!


Bite-sized Decadent Brownies
{Prep time: 10 minutes; Bake time: 25 minutes; Makes approx. 32 bite-sized brownies}

1 19-oz package brownie mix
1 egg
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
Cooking spray to coat mini-cupcake pan
1 recipe hazelnut cream cheese frosting (see below)
Sprinkles and candy for topping

Heat oven to 350 degrees for shiny metal pan (325 for nonstick or glass pan).   Lightly coat mini-cupcake pan with cooking spray.  In a large bowl, stir brownie mix, egg, oil, and water until well blended.  Pour batter by rounded teaspoon (approx. 2) into each mold, filling it about 2/3 full.  Bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Let cool in pan on wire rack completely before removing brownies from the mold.  Once cooled, gently remove the brownies, frost and decorate.
Hazelnut Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
3/4 teaspoon hazelnut extract

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and hazelnut extract. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

13 comments:

  1. Mmmmmmm....I think I need that mold! Such adorable brownies~

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  2. Too cute! I'm also a huge fan of the chewy edges, so these bites would be pure heaven for me. :)

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  3. Decorated like this they look just beautiful! :)

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  4. Those are SO much fun!

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  5. Very cute! Now I need to keep my eye out for a cute little silicone cupcake mold.

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  6. @Our Eyes Eat First Jasmol - I wanted to try something diff't w/ the frosting than using the usual vanilla extract. I thought a nutty flavor would complement the brownie well. And yes, it did! :)

    @Lizzy and Joy - The mold is a great buy! These are perfect for making treats for kids and their parties if you want them to have just a little treat (as long as they don't eat a dozen or so...like moi). :)

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  7. I've had my eye on this silicone mold for awhile now! Hazelnut extract? YUM! I've never baked with it but I can imagine how good it tastes! ♥- Katrina

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  8. this is the cutest mold ever!!! i'm going to look for this in the stores...

    i signed up for the feedburner, but now i'm having trouble finding the widget for it to put on my blog... ahhh~~~ and do you use feedburner's stats over the blogger one? do u like it better?

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  9. Hazelnut extract! I know what I'll do if I have those: Dunk the entire bottle into a tank of cold milk and throw in a few bottles of maple syrup.

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  10. Wonderful, mini treats. The icing looks like heaven!

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  11. Bite size brownies mean I can eat at least 5 no? :D
    Great pics and recipe!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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