Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Quick, Easy Dessert Idea

Here's an idea for a dessert that looks elegant and fancy but is so simple and won't take very long. Sometimes it's just a good idea to take a little help from Betty Crocker. I mean, come on, she's been baking since World War Two. This recipe uses a brownie mix , whipping cream, powdered sugar, fresh berries, and chocolate chips, and can be thrown together in less than an hour.

Prepare the brownies according to the directions on the box but pour the batter into two greased muffin pans. You should fill all twenty-four cups evenly. Bake at 350 for twenty minutes.

In the meantime, whip one cup of cream until it's just stiff and stir in around 1/4cup of powdered sugar, depending on how sweet you like it. Spoon the whipped cream into to a large Ziploc bag and set it aside.


Put 1/4 cup of chocolate chips in a small Ziploc with about 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil (this will make the chocolate stay shiny and soft) and microwave it until it's all melted. (about 40 seconds should do it, but do twenty, then squish it around and put it in for a little longer.


When the brownies are done, run a knife around the edges to loosen them, then put them on a rack to cool completely.

If you really like whipped cream, you can press a little cup into the brownies with the back end of an ice cream scooper or something.











Cut a corner off the whipped cream bag (about 3/4 of an inch) and squeeze a dob of cream onto each brownie. Then, arrange some fresh berries on top of that and finish it with a little drizzle of chocolate from a tiny cut off the corner of the melted chocolate bag.





It's so easy, but people think it's all gourmet or whatever. It's all about the presentation!

11 comments:

Spiresfam said...

Ohhhh yeah Dessert! Now your talking. That looks so good I might just fly to Parvo right now for one! My tastebuds are going to love you, and my waistline is going to..... well, we just don't have to tell my waist now do we?
Love the tips! I just may make this for Mark for Fathers Day. He loves brownies! Thanks again!

Melis said...

Tay you are so rad!!!!!!!!
I love the new blog. Move over Emeril

Kate said...

Um...This looks like it's just up my alley! Taylor you are rad just like Melis says! I can't tell you enough times how much i love your food blog...

I will for sure make this...maybe Sunday for sure!

lori said...

mmmmm!

liz said...

This is one of the great things about you, Tay. You're a fabulous cook, but not a food snob. Thank you for giving people everywhere permission to use brownie mixes. I may be too lazy to actually execute this idea as beautifully as you did, but it is a lovely thought.

The Ramptons said...

Tay,, amen to what liz said. Thanks for the GREAT dessert idea. maybe i can make some new friends if i make them these!

Danielle said...

Oh, I never thought about making the brownies in muffin pans...but it is such a good Idea...so much prettier, and neat. hoo-ha.

themother said...

Ah Tay, You've found a lovely balance--simple and elegant, unpretentious and gracious. Just like you.

Kate said...

Oh and p.s. - I've always thought of making brownies in a muffin tin, but I've never done it, for the only reason...that it makes more edges! I love the corners and edges! If nothing else maybe I'll just start making my brownies in muffin tins just cuz it's genius! (and it makes for a lovely little serving size!)

jeanine said...

I made this for Father's day today and it was a big hit... and so easy! Thanks!!!

ang said...

Thanks for sharing all of your cooking tips and recipes. I tried this one and it was easy, tasty, and our company was impressed. I look forward to more posts!