Give Your Brownies a Boost

Discovering Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Brownie Mix is an exciting event for anyone who suffers from celiac disease or maintains a gluten-free diet.  With busier and busier schedules, it’s nearly impossible to find the time to bake true homemade brownies. In a box of brownie mix, you’ll find all of the ingredients — with the exception of the eggs and butter — needed to complete the standard recipe.  However, if you’re like most foodies, run-of-the-mill brownies can get old quickly, inspiring the need to spice them up a bit.

Although there are dozens of ways to jazz up your brownies, we’ve got two favorites.  One was created on a whim, and this first recipe comes direct from BettyCrocker.com. We give you Turtle Brownies!

Ingredients
1 box Betty Crocker® Gluten-Free Brownie Mix
½ stick butter and 2 eggs (called for in mix)
25 caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom of (8- or 9-inch) square pan. In medium bowl, stir together brownie mix, butter and eggs until blended. Spread 2/3 of batter in pan. Bake 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in medium microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and whipping cream uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Drizzle caramel evenly over partially baked brownie. Sprinkle with half the chocolate chips and half the pecans. Drop remaining brownie batter by small spoonfuls onto caramel layer. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips and pecans.
3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until top of brownie looks dry. Cool completely before cutting. Cut into squares, four rows by four rows.

After comparing these brownies to the ever-popular “Better Than Sex” cake, we can say without a doubt that these Turtle Brownies are absolutely mouthwatering! With the “Better Than Sex” brownies taking hours to prep, bake, and cool, you can guarantee that this twist on Betty Crocker offers a slightly faster route to sweet indulgence. Super gooey brownies are delicious, but we promise, these are worth the wait!

Now for the local twist. Our take on Betty Crocker’s classic gluten-free brownies doesn’t yet have a name, but they are so delicious that it is possible for the entire pan to be eaten by two people within 36 hours of their baking (we tried).  Here are the details for Taste Guru’s twist on brownies.

Ingredients
1 box of Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Brownie Mix
½ stick butter and 2 eggs (called for in mix)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate for sweeter taste)
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup Nutella

Baking these brownies is so easy! Simply follow the directions provided on the box, adding the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and Nutella in while mixing. The only adjustment you should make may be to bake the brownies for 8-10 minutes long than the given time in order for them to set completely. Let these brownies sit for a few minutes to cool down, but they are perfectly fine to eat while they are still warm and gooey.  The ingredients listed are recommended staples for any pantry, however other ingredients can always be added, such as chopped pecans, peanuts, or even coconut. 

As mentioned, these are only two ways to spice up your brownies.  Betty Crocker provides an abundance of recipes for creating out of the ordinary brownies. You never know when your sweet tooth may strike, and brownies can be a quick and easy solution to satisfy your hunger. Bottom line, always be prepared to quench your brownie cravings and keep a box of Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Brownie Mix in the pantry.  

But if you’re looking for original, back-to-basics brownies, try these out.

• Cauliflower Brownies
• Saucepan Brownies
• High-Protein Brownie Bites
• Ultra-Rich Chocolate Fudge Brownies

Do you have a favorite twist on Betty Crocker’s classic? Or, if you’re more original, what are some of your favorite gluten-free brownie recipes?