Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Ultimate All-Occasion Brownie

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On Tuesday I posted these blarney brownies and a spring drink concoction for Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen’s St. Patrick’s Day party. I just may have found my new favorite pick up dessert for entertaining. It is easy, delicious, and oh so versatile!

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I called them blarney brownies, but, in truth, they can be altered to fit any occasion-- Red and green filling at Christmas for Blitzen brownies, pink or blue filling for baby shower brownies, or all the pastels for spring or Easter brownies. They are rich and a little goes a long way. The best part—the bottom layer starts with a box mix! :)

Ultimate All Occasion Brownie

1 box supreme brownie mix with a chocolate syrup pouch, made as directed.

Filling

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/4 cup whipping cream

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 teaspoon mint extract (optional for you, but for me a must :)

4 drops of the food coloring of your choice

Topping

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 (12 ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup butter (do not substitute margarine)

Bake brownies according to directions. In a large bowl beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over cooled brownies and refrigerate about an hour or until set. Meanwhile, in a 2-qt. non-stick saucepan, heat topping ingredients over medium heat stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Cool until lukewarm. Pour topping over filling and spread to cover. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until set.

Note: I have constant issues with cutting “pretty” brownies. I popped these in the freezer for a few minutes. I used a warm serrated knife to first score lightly and then cut. I wiped the knife clean between each cut. The first one out of the pan may not be pretty—eat it!

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I spent the weekend helping my daughter paint yet another room in the previously all white bachelor pad and ran across this book on her coffee table. I don’t think this apple fell far from the tree :). It is filled with beautiful tables, theme parties and recipe ideas. The spring fling drink pictured with the brownies is a recipe from this book.

Spring Fling

In a large pitcher, mix 1 1/3 cups sugar, 1 cup fresh mint leaves, two lemons and one cucumber thinly sliced into rounds. Add two cups vodka (optional) and two cups fresh lemon juice (10-12 lemons). Let stand for about thirty minutes and stir to dissolve sugar. Add two cups club soda. Serve over ice and garnished with fresh lemon slices, cucumber slices and mint leaves. Wouldn’t it be pretty served from one of these?

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I saw beehive drink dispensers similar to this at Steinmart last week. I already have one, but am tempted to buy this because I love the shape!

I know Michael Lee West has something special for us this week. Our gracious hostess is offering wonderful giveaways too. By the way, if you’re not signed up for her newsletter, you’re missing out! Click on the Foodie Friday button on the sidebar for immediate transportation!

41 comments:

  1. Thank you, thank you! I was hoping you'd post that recipe! I'm guessing the base can be any favorite brownie recipe. Don't you love Steinmart??
    xoxo Pattie

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  2. Oh my gosh-
    Brownies- my weakness.
    It's a good thing I don't have a mix in the pantry!

    Enjoyed visiting,

    Laura

    White Spray Paint

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  3. Serious mouth water going on right now!~ Those look super!

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  4. Oh MY! I gained about 5 lbs. looking at these brownies on your last post, and I think I just gained another 5 lbs. Thanks for sharing the recipe for the brownies and the Spring Fling. Trying hard to behave these days - blood tests next week! :)
    Glenda

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  5. ALL OCCASSION brownie?
    but of course...LOL ....OF COURSE...

    Love it, love it!!

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  6. Your brownies look delicious. My SIL used to make something like this. At first it was a secret recipe and then she gave it to us. Joni

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing both of the recipes!!! Yummy!

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  8. I have tried and tried to make these brownies (I had an icing trainwreck last month), so I doubly appreciate this recipe. I was skipping lots of steps! :-0 I love the versatility of this recipe and how they can be tinted to match the occasion. That's what I call a keeper!
    XX00

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  9. Thanks for posting the brownie recipe, Susan. They look delicious. I'm partial to In Style magazine...my niece is a writer for it. Shameless plug! ;-)

    xoxo
    Jane

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  10. I have the answer for you in cutting brownies. After they have completely cooled, use a PLASTIC knife. Yep, you read that correctly. When I first read it, I didn't have much faith in it. But it works. Don't know why.
    Now I need to go find something for a bedtime snack.
    Beckie in Brentwood, TN

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  11. The brownies...to die for and the bee hive container...OMG,
    Did you see my name on the bottom?
    So Cute...Must keep my eyes pealed for that one!
    xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  12. OMG Susan,
    If I could eat through the computer I would. They look out of this world good!
    It's hard to stay on a diet with pics and recipes like that!
    Cindy

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  13. Too funny! Your pictures are amazing though. This was the first time I've every linked up with anything so I'm just happy you came and looked.

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  14. Brownies are amazing. Love the beehive drink dispenser. I am liking the star fruit. Good idea to add with the lemon:)

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  15. Your posts are always so gorgeous that I look forward to seeing them. The "Blarney Brownies" look delicious and the combination of chocolate and mint is one that can't be beat. I hope you have a wonderful day...Mary

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  16. Oh those brownies look scruptious! You can't go wrong with chocolate and mint!

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  17. Chocolate and mint are the most perfect combination! I love the name Blarney Brownies...

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  18. I've seen this recipe (or similar) before, but haven't tried them. Your photos are pushing me over-the-edge :).

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  19. Hi Susan,

    Many thanks for sharing the brownie recipe and the Spring Fling in the beehive container looks pretty.

    Happy weekend
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  20. Susan, I love your advice about eating the first brownie - I'm afraid I might not stop with the first one though. They just look soooo good, and you are so smart to thinking of adding the colors for holidays! That beehive dispenser is just too cute, and since I don't have a dispenser, I may have to go see if they have any more of these left. Your daughter is so lucky to have such a talented and helpful mother. Have a great weekend! laurie

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  21. So glad you posted the recipe - they look alsolutely scrumptious!
    Love the beehive dispenser...perfect for the HOPEFULLY nice warm weather that will show up sometime!!

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  22. I've enjoyed catching up on your blog after lunch today! I think I've had those minty brownies years ago and I'm glad to be reminded of that recipe. I love the beehive container; I had a similar but not as cute one that I now use to dispense liquid Tide so I might NEED to visit Steinmart for a cuter one for tea, you think? Also laughed and cried with your funny computer attack post; do like so many of us... get a Mac and avoid the Microsoft viruses.

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  23. I'll trade you some brownies for some Irish Soda Bread..I made way too much!
    I love that dispenser...cute shape!
    I saw an interesting one in Sams Club yesterday. It had a channel down the middle for ice so it didn't dilute the tea etc. But I don't need it..too much stuff!

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  24. Wouldn't these brownies be pretty done in PINK?? Thanks so much for posting the recipe, Sue & for all the wonderful ideas in this post. I will have to check out that book from our library. It looks very interesting & I'm always on the look-out for new ideas. :)

    fondly,
    Rett

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  25. OH. My. Word!!!! These look fantastic. I need these! Yum.

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