Brownie Cupcakes Topped w/Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Squares

Who loves a really quick, yummy, and chocolaty brownie cupcake? What if they're made with a simple doctored up box mix? Yes, me! You too?

I first made these for Elizabeth's -my granddaughter's- birthday. They were a hit and disappeared fast!

Let's make some!

I used one package of Ghirardelli triple chocolate brownie mix, buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla. After baking, I topped them with Ghirardelli candy squares. 

After combining wet ingredients, I stirred in the brownie mix until moistened and scooped the batter into a muffin tin prepared with cooking spray.

Baked in a 350 degree oven, these only take 20 minutes!

Remove from oven and gently press in a chocolate square. Let cool in pan for 10-15 minutes. I used a plastic knife to gently coax them from the tin.

Brownie Cupcakes

*note below*

One box Ghirardelli brownie mix

1/3 cup buttermilk

1/3 cup canola oil

1 egg

1/2 tablespoon vanilla

Combine wet ingredients.

Stir in brownie mix until moistened.

Scoop batter into a 12 cup muffin tin that has been prepared with cooking spray.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Remove from oven. Gently press in a chocolate square.

Let cool in pan 10-15 minutes. 

I used a plastic knife to gently coax cupcake from pan.

*note*

Brownie box mix sizes vary.

Simply sub out equal amounts of water called for on box for buttermilk.

Use same amounts of eggs and oil and add 1/2 tablespoon on vanilla.

🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥

  

JOHN 3:16 

'til we sweet again, Karen💗

Firecracker Brownie Bombs!

Firecrackers for the Fourth of July?

Yes! And let's make 'em edible!

How can we possibly make the already yummy Ghirardelli brownie mix even more delish? Stuff 'em with Milky Way bars. Um, yeah!

Before we tuck into our family cookouts, BBQ picnics, baseball games and fireworks, let us remember to give thanks for all the men that were willing to fight for the freedoms we enjoy in this wonderful land of America. This wonderful land that we call Home!

 Cross section of this fabulous firecracker brownie!

Yes, those are chocolate chips AND Milky Ways!

 Make your brownies according to directions on box.

I usually sub buttermilk for the water, but I was out and they were still good!

I also add vanilla. I'm using vanilla powder. 

 Decorations for my brownies include, sprinkles, licorice ropes and dipping chocolate.

Spray brownie pop pan liberally.

I bought two pans as my Ghirardelli mix will make 18 brownies. 

Scoop small amount of batter into prepared pan.

Top with mini Milky Way bars.

Fill each well with additional brownie batter.

I baked my brownies at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

Make sure to let your brownies cool completely before removing from pan.

I did not and as you can see they were still a bit too soft.

 Dip, drench and cover in melted Ghirardelli chocolate.

I used a lollipop stick to make the indention for the candy "wick" and decorated with sprinkles.

Now let the festivities begin! 

POP goes the Firecrackers!

May you all be Blessed with a wonderful Fourth of July!

Sweet thoughts, Karen 😊

Quick, Fudgy & Chewy Frosted Brownies

Quick & Easy Chewy & Fudgy Frosted Brownies!

These delicious chocolaty bars are from a cookbook my sweet hubby bought me on one of our trips to Hershey many years ago.

Of course my Hershey cookbook didn't call for Ghirardelli chocolate..but yum, it's my favorite!

Six ingredients, including my current favorite flavoring of vanilla bean 'crush' will make for some awesome brownies.

You can totally use these brownies for bribes..just let them get a whiff of this..mmmm.

 While these babies are baking, you have plenty of time to lick wash the bowl clean!

 This frosting is gonna be good!

Oh yeah!!!

Moist~Fudgy~Chewy~Yummy!

Fudgy & Chewy Brownies

1 four oz. bar Ghirardelli unsweetened chocolate baking bar

1 1/2 sticks butter

2 cups sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla (I use vanilla bean crush)

1 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare 13x9 baking pan by lining with foil. Spray cooking spray onto foil. I then sugar my pan. This gives the brownies just a little added sweet crunch.

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring until fully melted and smooth. Add sugar; stir until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla mixing well. Stir in flour until blended. Pour into prepared pan and spread.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Do not over bake. 

Let cool while preparing frosting.

Creamy Chocolate Frosting

3 oz. Ghirardelli unsweetened chocolate (this will be 6 squares from a 4 oz bar)

3 tablespoons butter

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla (I use vanilla bean crush)

1/8 teaspoon salt

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat stirring until fully melted and smooth. Pour into mixer bowl. Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and salt. Mix on medium until well blended.
Frost cooled brownies.

These are amazing with a tall glass of cold milk, or..a nice hot cup of coffee!

Thank You For Stopping By
Sugartown Sweets!

New Members and Comments Keep My Life Sweet!   :o)

Pumpkin Patch Brownie Bites

Pumpkin Patch Brownie Bites

So my awesome hunky hubby and I took a spontaneous overnight trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge this weekend.

Already in Fall mode, I created these tiny little pumpkins before hitting the road. After seeing all the adorable fall decorations, I am in high gear!

Have y'all ever been to The Great Smoky Mountains?

Living only a 4 to 5 hour drive away, we've made countless visits through the years. The Smokies were my Mom's weekend playground and picnic spot while growing up in east Tennessee. I love hearing how the family would pack up the car to drive over and spend the day.

There is a brand new area in Pigeon Forge-The Island.

The show fountain with water dancing to the music is the focal point along with the 200 feet tall ferris wheel. Love-love-love!

We know the grandkids will love it too, so we are taking them back around Christmas!

The Fall decorations in Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge-Sevierville never disappoint and these little guys wanted in on some of the fun!

If you need more pumpkin patch treats, click on the link to check out these lollipops I made last year!

For the pumpkins you will need the following items.

 Follow these easy instructions to decorate these sweet little cuties.

For the super simple brownie bites I used Entenmanns and canned frosting.

 These little party cups were a perfect fit.

Pipe, spoon or spread frosting onto brownie and add some chocolate sprinkles.

 Now "plant" your pumpkins!

Happy Fall From
Sugartown Sweets!

Thanks for stopping by today.

New members and comments are always welcome!

These are just a couple of shots I took as were driving back over the mountain to Cherokee, N.C.

Beautiful scenery!

Till next time...

Snickers Brownies with Caramel Frosting for Our Two Sweet Marks

 I made these Snickers brownies today for two very special Marks.

We are very blessed indeed to have had these two amazing souls as wonderful parts of our family. 
I am just as sure of this as I am that Heaven is rejoicing at their appearing.

Mark A. Bunch Jr.

July 1, 1985-February 26, 2014

My precious nephew. Only son to my sweet baby sister and daddy to his precious daughter. Mark served two tours of combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was very intelligent, kind and loving. He was also definitely a foodie and never met a stranger. Mark, you were the sweetest nephew..we miss you more than you know..

Mark E. Burnette

October 20, 1961-March 22, 2014

My precious big brother. Loving husband to my sweet sister-in-law and father of four awesome kids. He was a devoted family man and an active member of the Patriot Guard. He was loving, giving, loyal and kind. He enjoyed cooking special meals for his family and spoiling his precious little granddaughter. Mark, you were the best big brother ever..we miss you more than you know..

Snickers were a favorite candy bar to them both, and these brownies turned out pretty good. 
I like to think they would have enjoyed them.

Make brownie cupcakes using your own recipe or a brownie mix. Follow the directions on the box, substituting buttermilk for the water and adding 1 tablespoon vanilla. Press one Snickers mini into each unbaked cupcake. Bake @ 350 for 20-24 minutes. Let brownies cool while preparing frosting.

Ingredients for frosting.

Decorate cupcakes by piping or spreading frosting onto each brownie. 

Place cut Snickers bites into frosting and drizzle with caramel syrup.

 I used Paula Deen's Caramel Frosting Recipe.

1 stick butter (I used salted)

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/3 cup heavy cream (plus additional as needed)

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

4 cups 10x sugar

Melt butter on low heat. Add brown sugar and cream stirring over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes. 

Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Stir in 10x sugar and mix using a hand mixer.

 Add cream one tablespoon at a time as needed until smooth frosting is achieved.


To our two precious Marks that had the biggest hearts..and though ours are hurting now, 
we will see you again one day in Heaven. 
We will always love you and never forget you...
John 3:16

Have a Blessed Day

~Sugartown Sweets~