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

Almond Cupcakes with Vanilla-Almond Buttercream from Just a Sliver

Butterfinger Whoopie Pies from Inside Brucrew

Peanut Butter Caramel Brownie Magic Bars from Persnickety Plates

Blueberry Cheesecake Danish from Inside Brucrew 

Butterscotch Role Chex Bars from Sweet Twist of Blogging

Dried Fruit and Cereal Bars from Pint Sized Baker

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Stuffed Cupcakes from Mom's Test Kitchen

PB&J Cocoa Bars from Back for Seconds 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Mousse Pie from Frugal Foodie Mama

Buckeye Cookie Bites from Lemons for Lulu

Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies from DJ's Sugar Shack

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 

Almond Whoopie Pies with Cranberry Buttercream from Mom's Test Kitchen

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!