Thursday, January 10, 2013

Chocolate Overload Loaded Brownies



I created this Chocolate Overload Brownie recipe just so I could get something off my chest.

Snobbery. I can't stand it. It comes in all forms. It crosses all facets of life. And it starts early in life. In grade school, who's wearing the designer sneakers and the $300 jacket and it never ends. As we get older, the topics change but the attitude is still there. I'm better than you because or I look down on you because...

I realized yesterday, there is Food snobbery in the blog world. There was a question in a G+ Hang out for bloggers (I really recommend you watch this if you want to improve your writing skills,) The question was "What are the panelists thought on beautiful photography, beautiful writing but the ingredient lists that read boxed cake mix, candy coating, pie filling, corn nuts, etc?" I realize the person who made this comment meant no offence but I was offended, I was outraged. My feelings were hurt. I lost sleep over this comment.


Here's a little background about me. I grew up in a single parent home. My mom worked full time. It was the birth of the Microwave and TV dinners were the rage. McDonald's was just a baby along with all the other fast food joints. Hamburger Helper came along. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Instant this, instant that came on the market. My mom didn't have time to cook meals that took hours to prepare, nor did she want to, she wasn't a very good cook. These were the things we ate.

The one thing she did make, and I remember making with her, were her pound cakes. Guess what? They came from a box mix. Duncan Hines to be exact. It was printed on the side panel of every flavor they made. About twice a year, she would go nuts making them, Chocolate, Lemon, Strawberry, Orange. Probably about 20 loaf cakes. Then she'd freeze them and for the next few months we'd have pound cake available.

I still love that pound cake recipe.

Back to present day. Many households are either single parent or both parents work. Kids have more activities after school, we are busier than I ever remember being as a kid. My point is, There is nothing wrong with Boxed mixes! Yes from scratch is healthier, may taste better but not always, may be a little less expensive to make but what is the point of cooking and baking? For me, it's to have my family all around the table at dinner time, spending time together, enjoying each other, catching up on each other's day. With teenagers, some days, it's the only time you see them. My family doesn't care if I make a cake from a box mix or if I double sifted the cake flour and hand grated the chocolate. They appreciate the cake after the meal with a tall glass of milk. And they appreciate that I MADE the cake and didn't pick it up at the bakery at Walmart.

I can (and do) bake from scratch. Have you seen my Chocolate Babka or my Petit Fours?  But I'm also not afraid to use a box mix or cereal, Nestle Chocolate chips instead of Ghirardelli, Hershey's Cocoa instead of a Dutch Processed Cocoa. Never be ashamed of the ingredients you use when cooking. Take pride that you got in the kitchen and got a few pans dirty. That's what your family will remember.


So in honor of Box mixes and to thumb my nose at all the Food Snobs out there I've made these Brownies for you. No one even asked if they were made from scratch. They just asked for seconds.

Chocolate Overload Loaded Brownies

1 box Brownie Mix (I used Duncan Hines)
ingredients called for on box
1-2 cups chocolate candy-I used Snickers, Milky Ways and Hershey's Kisses
1/2 cup Chocolate Fudge Sauce for Ice cream
Canned Chocolate Frosting (optional)

Preheat oven according to box directions. Grease bottom of your brownie pan (size will depend on your mix) I also like to line my pan with parchment paper. Chop all candy into chunks. Prepare brownie mix according to box directions (I like fudgy.) Fold in chopped candy. Spread as evenly into prepared pan as you can. Lightly warm fudge sauce. Using about 4-5 spoonfuls, drizzle across the top. Use a toothpick or knife blade to swirl the fudge sauce into brownies but do not mix in. Bake according to box directions but I had to add about 5 minutes to my time.
Let cool completely before cutting and removing from pan. For added decadence, place about 1/2 cup frosting in sauce pan and heat just until frosting melts. Drizzle over brownies.


Looking for more great shortcut treats to make for your hungry family? These are just a "few" ideas from some of my friends

Cheesecake Ice Cream from Say Not Sweet Anne

Carrot Pumpkin Bundt Cake from Frugal Foodie Mama
Almond Joy Puppy Chow from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
Banana Reeses Cookies from Inside Brucrew
Cookies and Cream Funfetti Cookies Cookies from What's Cooking, Love?
Chocolate Dump Cake from Buns in my Oven
Valentine's Day Cakies from Couponing and Cooking
Cherry Almond Cupcakes from Shugary Sweets

White Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treats from The Kitchen is my Playground

Banana Cake with Caramel Filling from Crazy for Crust
Apple Pie Cupcakes from The Melrose Family
Peanut Butter Glazed Brownies from Mom's Test Kitchen
Fully Loaded Hot Fudge Bars from Back for Seconds
Best Bundt Cake from Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker
Chocolate Covered Cherry Coke Cake from Frugal Foodie Mama 
Rainbow Cupcakes from Wine and Glue
Simple Toffee Cookies from Organized Island
Butterfinger Whoopie Pies from Inside Brucrew


Blueberry Cheesecake Danish from Inside Brucrew 
Butterscotch Role Chex Bars from Sweet Twist of Blogging
Dried Fruit and Cereal Bars from Pint Sized Baker
PB&J Cocoa Bars from Back for Seconds 
Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie from Frugal Foodie Mama

Buckeye Cookie Bites from Lemons for Lulu

White Chocolate Walnut Pumpkin Bars from What's Cooking, Love?
Snickerdoodle Candy Cups from Couponing and Cooking
Skinny Cupcakes from Cooking to Perfection

Cream Cheese Brownie Cupcakes from The Pink Flour

Cheesecake Nutella Twists from Inside Brucrew 
Caramel Milky Way Cookies from What's Cooking, Love?
No Bake S'mores Bars from Little Kitchen Big Flavors
Ultimate Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes from Couponing and Cooking 
Double Chocolate Cake from Just a Sliver

Peanut Butter Smores Bars from Back for Seconds 

Coffee Lovers Cookies from Food Babbles
Butterfinger Cake from Couponing and Cooking
Cupcake Muddy Buddies from Back for Seconds
Gooey Bars from Couponing and Cooking 
Cherry Topped Brownie Bites from The Kitchen is my Playground

Gooey Triple Chocolate Cake Bars from The Live in Kitchen

I'm sharing at some of these great parties!

69 comments:

  1. Fabulous post Joan! I think when we bake, we bake because we love someone. And it doesn't matter if it's from scratch or with a little help from store bought ingredients. We still thought enough of someone to make them something! Thanks for putting together all these wonderful recipes! I'm going to keep this as a resource! Thanks for sharing my Buckeye Cookie Bites! My family devoured them and they started with a mix!

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    1. Thanks Tanya, you are so right, the most important ingredient should be love! I can't wait to try your cookies!

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  2. I lived in Hollnad for 9 yeaars and I could not get box anything (cakes or brownies). Everything had to be made from scratch. Now that I am back in the USA, Duncan Hines is my best friend. I love your posts and pin many of your recepies for future use.

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    1. Thanks Judy, I you read from the story, I'm a little partial to Duncan Hines myself. So glad you enjoy my posts.

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  3. I love this post Joan. It's SO true. And annoying! :) Love the brownies too, and thanks for the linky love!

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  4. I agree with you. It doesn't matter if it is from scratch or made from a box, it's still made with love. Not everyone wants to, or has the time to
    bake from scratch.
    To me, I just want to bake for people. As long as they enjoy it, that is all that matters!

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    1. Thanks! You're right, as long as you and your family enjoy it, nothing else matters!

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  5. Those look amazing no matter what their ingredients are! Thanks for the shout outs!

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  6. Amen, sista!!! If it tastes good, make it! Boxed, scratch, embellished ... whatever. Thanks so much for including me in the list, Joan!
    Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground

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    1. Thanks Tracey! You've got some awesome recipes!

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  7. I'm all for chocolate overload! Love these brownies, Joan! :)

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  8. I understand that some things are quicker but I guess I belong to the food snob column as I would never feed my family the chemicals that come alone with the box mixes but what you put on your table is your business.

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    1. I understand your opinion Theresa and I love to bake from scratch as well. I just don't want anyone to be discouraged from getting into the kitchen and baking. We all start somewhere. Don't worry, I'll have some from scratch recipes next week for you!

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  9. Amen, amen, amen!! Most of my recipes start with a mix (not all!) and I'm not ashamed of it AT ALL! I hate that stereotype that if you use a mix, you're not a real cook, baker, etc. Kudos to you for a fantastic post!!

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    1. Thanks Rose, it's all about getting in the kitchen and breaking a few eggs!

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  10. Fabulous message and I completely agree with you. I'd much rather spend time with my family enjoying the food than spend 3 hours alone in the kitchen preparing it!

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    1. Thanks Nicky. Yes, yes, yes! Food is about the time spent together not how long we slaved to put it together.

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  11. A woman after my own heart! I get overwhelmed sometimes with all the ingredients and honestly sometimes I am bone tired when I get home and the hubs wants something sweet or my mom needs something for her ladies bunco night. I do it because I love them but part of loving them is spending time with them and a box helps me do that. Gee honey, I thought you were The Sugar Superwoman - thanks for letting me know you are normal, I feel much better! xoxoxo

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    1. Awe Kelli, don't take away my Superwoman Cape! Sugar comes in so many forms and baking should be about the love and the thought behind what's made and not what ingredients went into it. Love ya!

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  12. Fabulous post Joan. The snobbery is not only in the ingredients but also in the props they use, you know the whole set up. I'm from India and unfortunately I do not get lots of box mixes, except for Betty Crocker. But since they are imported stuff here it costs a lot and making anything from scratch will cost me less than do the same thing with boxed mixes. Food cooked with love for our loved ones is all that matters and anything else is just plain nonsense.

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  13. I am with everyone else here! With busy schedules and all we have to do, why NOT start with a cake or baking mix. Those mixes have the same ingredients...it is like using anseasoned salt or making your own right? Thanks for the link love Joan! XO

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    1. There's definitely nothing wrong with starting out with a mix. I will say some mixes do have extra chemicals though. I just think there's room for everyone as long as we're getting in the kitchen!

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  14. I guess I am a kind of food snob. I love mixes, chemicals and all. But I am not all that crazy about cookies (well, all desserts) that start with a mix and for flavor add extra candies and cookies. Now, that isn't to say that they aren't good, just that I don't like them. I wonder if the fact that I must watch my sugars has anything at all to do with it (probably does).

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    1. Joan, this doesn't make you a snob. It's just your personal preference to enjoy treats with a little less embellishment. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  15. If it tastes good and I didn't have to make it....perfect! Yeah for box mixes!

    Have a good weekend Joan!

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  16. Hey, I'm not above using a box mix. The easier the better, right?! This brownie looks fantastic!

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    1. Thanks Jen, sometimes we all need a little easy in our life!

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  17. Great post! Boo to food snobs & snobs in general ;)

    Thanks for including me in the roundup!

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  18. My mom sounds a lot like your mom :)

    I hate snobbery too, even though I know I have unintentionally been the bearer of food snobbery before.

    TO DELICIOUS BROWNIES THAT ARE OUTRAGEOUS AND SINFUL AND EASY! :D

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    1. Thanks, I think we've all been guilty at some point. It it's delicious who cares how it started!

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  19. More power to the mixes!!! I use mixes most of the time when I bake...mostly because it's easy...but a lot of times because they taste great! I have no problem pulling out my mixes for whatever I want to make! If that makes some look down on me, oh well! It doesn't bother me any! Give me more overloaded chocolate bars like this is what I say!!!! I love this post Joan!!!

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    1. Thanks Jocelyn! I'll never look down out you, your treats are always amazing!

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  20. Well, for what it's worth, Brian is extremely fond of the Ghirardelli brownie box mix and I have yet to make brownies from scratch that he likes even half as much. :) You do what you do, sister, and don't take crap from anyone.

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    1. Thanks Anita! Some box mixes just can't be beat!

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  21. Score for you, girl! These rock!
    I am so glad you posted this. It's not the food snobbery that's getting to me lately, it's snobbery about blogging in general. I've been reading tutorials and "top 10s" on what I *should* be doing as a blogger. Apparently everything I do is a big fat wrong. I don't have a fancy pants camera for gorgeous pictures. Worse, I don't always have access to natural light. I post thumbnail images on Google+ instead of full size. No twitter account or FB page for my blog. Sorry to get carried away--it's really grating on me! So...I completely understand your frustrations with the snobbery.

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    1. Michelle, what, you're not on FB? Or Twitter? You're life must be so peaceful! I love social media (well, not twitter) but it can overwhelm a person trying to keep up with the "popular" kids. Keep it about the food and how can we go wrong!

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  22. I was just craving brownies and these look very decadent and delicious!

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  23. Hi Joan!
    I really enjoyed your post - all your food for thought and reading the comments-never a dull moment at Chocolate, Chocolate and More..which is why I like visiting here, besides all the yummy treats you post here;-)
    Recently I visited St. Louis where I was determined to try a slice of 'gooey butter cake' but when I asked where was the best place to find it- the overwhelming response was-forget the cake, you have to try the 'gooey butter cookies' and the coffee place by our hotel has them fresh every afternoon...so, of course I made it my business to go over there and get one and let me tell you I was not disappointed. Right away, my first bite and I told my husband this tastes like cake mix and I mean in the best possible way;-) When I checked the recipe, which is all over the web, sure enough cake mix is one of the ingredients and being a girl whose mom always baked with cake mixes I will always have a soft spot for the flavor of cake mix especially when one of the other ingredients is cream cheese and don't forget the butter....
    Just had to share my latest cake mix experience which I guarantee was one of the best I've had since the days when we got to lick the bowl/spoon/beaters after mom whipped up a cake made from a mix-it's really more about the love we share with our families when we bake then anything else!!!!

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    1. Patty, I love your story, of course now I want one of those cookies! You are so right, it's the memories we're making and the love we include with those memories that matter in the end.

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  24. Cake box or not, buying ingredients pre-made or not, food is still food. There might be a lot of people out there who don't understand that. I'm sorry you were offended - perhaps this person was ignorant and hasn't tasted anything out of a box before. Spreading the word and making delicious recipes like this is a great way to change their mind :) Seriously, those brownies look heavenly. I might have to pick up the ingredients to make these for my husband this week - he has a soft spot for chocolate covered brownies

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    1. Thanks Rachel, I'm calmed down now, hehe. I just want everyone to be proud when they get in the kitchen and make something. Who cares what the ingredients are.

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  25. oh Joan!!! I think I've died and gone to heaven !!!

    Natasha @ ww.serenityyou.com

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  26. I completely agree. I am new to the blog scene and after reading a few of these baking blogs I have seen a definite mixture in baking types. I believe that it doesn't matter what you bake with as long as you bake with love.

    Thank you for this post. I cant wait to try this recipe...it looks GREAT!

    April @ bakingandreading.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks April, Baking with love IS the most important ingredient!

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  27. Bye-Bye diet! Hello choclatey goodness! I am a new follower! I found your link on Flamingo Toes. I would love for you to link up to my weekly linky party Fluster Muster on Wednesday’s @ http://www.FlusterBuster.com.

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  28. Hear Hear Joan! I am with you on the making my life easier! There are snobs every where and I am sure that I am guilty. But never on was to make a mom's life easier! Oh and I want some of those brownies! Yum-o! Thanks so much for Linking up at Show Me Your Plaid Monday's!

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    1. Thanks Chandra! Here, here for making Mom's life easier.

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  29. You go girl! These look marvelous!

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  30. I'm right there with you, I grew up the same way. My mom was the best box cook ever she always made it taste homemade somehow and I thought she was a great cook. Your right the world is full of every type of personality known to man snobs included. As long as it tastes great its all good. I happen to like boxed brownies and cream of chicken or mushroom soup and you know that is a cardinal sin to some people :) great post and please don't worry you roll out some fabulous recipes on here!!

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  31. What a fantastic post! I have no bias to using a cake mix to make something. In fact that was how I grew up too. To this day, I love eating the mix with a bit a water in a bowl - tasty. Smile. Within the blogging world, as long as you are writing from your heart and being authentic to who you are and you are proud of who you are, that is all that matters!! Love your blog and love this recipe!!!! Rock on!

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  32. Box baking - everyone grew up with it!!! But it takes a special talent to "modernize" it a bit and make it extraordinary. Love all the treats here! It shows that there's really nothing wrong with shortcut box baking when you put a little twist to it! In fact, it churns out some very special sweets!

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  33. Great post, Joan. I love making things from scratch, but as a full-time working both inside and outside the house mom, sometimes life calls for a box mix. I'm not ashamed to say I use them - and often. No matter how busy our life is, we always make time to sit down together at the table for our meals...that's the important part!

    Also--drooling over these brownies. Fab pictures, too!

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  34. I am so sorry that someones comment hurt your feelings. I am sure you are correct that they did not intend to, but sometimes I don't think people consider how their words can affect others.
    These are simply delightful, and truthfully having the aid of a pre-made mix, might just mean I could actually try them :)

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  35. I never understand the food snobs out there. If they never want to use a box mix or a canned good, fine! But why do they have to judge the rest of the world because they do. I read a comment a few months ago that someone criticized a blogger because she didn't make her ketchup, and she said it was a recipe from scratch! SERIOUSLY?!?!?
    I am in love with these brownies, they look insanely delicious to me!

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  36. You've been featured on Busy Monday! Hope you will swing by and grab a featured button from the Button Box. Pinned. Thanks so much for sharing on Busy Monday.

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  37. Oh gosh! I need to eat some! YUM!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality! I'm looking forward to seeing what you link up this evening! :)

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  38. Hey,you know what, Joan? I LOVE using a mix! Sometimes I change it up to make it my own, and sometimes I don't. I can bake from scratch as well. But you know what? When it comes to cake my kids like the box BETTER! These brownies look awesome! going to have to whip some up for my 'cheat day' (trying to eat a bit healthier, but I will ALWAYS have a 'cheat day'!) Thanks for sharing at Wicked Good Wednesdays!

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  39. You are so right, Joan! You know, I love making from scratch, but sometimes I just don't have the time or energy to do it. Your brownies look absolutely amazing :) Stopping in from Two Cup Tuesday. Pinned to share!

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  40. Instead of using the chocolate bars do you think I can use semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips and chocolate chunks? My family likes chocolate but not enough to throw different chocolate bars in there. Thank you!

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    1. As long as you want to make brownies, throw anything in them you want. I think the 3 chocolate chips would be fantastic!

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  41. I loved this post! Like you, I bake things from scratch, and also will use cake and brownie mixes. My Mom was a great baker and she baked the same way. You could never tell if her desserts were from a box or not, they were all delicious!One of the first cheesecakes that I ever made was an old Pillsbury recipe that used a marble cake mix for the crust. I took it to a party and I was very proud of it! Someone asked me about the recipe, and when I told her the crust was a cake mix, she acted like I cheated or something. I was in my early 20's and it never occurred to me that people could be so snotty about a nice dessert! Oh well, it takes all kinds I guess! I can't wait to try these brownies!

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Thanks so much for stopping by, so glad you did. Be sure to leave me a comment, note or hug, letting me know you were here. I love feedback and new twists on recipes!