In spirit of the upcoming Superbowl, I’ve decided to share with you my football brownies!  These are incredibly easy to make. Get yourself a box of brownie mix and have fun!

Football Brownies
Yield: about 8 brownies (depending on the size of your cookie cutter)
Time:  40 minutes total

1 box of brownie mix (I like to use the Chewy Fudge by Duncan Hines)
canola oil (around ¾ cup, follow instructions on box)
water (around ¼ cup, follow instructions on box)
eggs (probably two, follow instructions on box)
¼ to ½ cup white chocolate chips
football-shaped cookie cutter

1.  Following the instructions and ingredient amounts on the box, combine the brownie mix, canola oil, water, and eggs.  Bake according to the instructions listed on the box.

2.  Allow the brownies to cool fully, then stamp out using a football-shaped cookie cutter.  (The one I used was about 4½ inches long and 3 inches wide.)

3.  Melt the white chocolate and mix until smooth.  Transfer the melted chocolate to a small zip-top bag.  Snip off the teeniest tiniest corner of the bag with scissors.  (Start with a reeeeeeally small cut…smaller than you think is right.  You can always cut more off if needed.)  Squeeze out white chocolate into the shape of football laces on each brownie.  Allow the chocolate to harden before stacking or covering the brownies.

4.  Serve as an easy, adorable, festive dessert for game day!

(PS…feel free to use any leftover melted chocolate to write out “NFL”, “football”, “Superbowl”, the names of the teams playing or your favorite players,…)

 

 

 

 

 

PDF to Print Recipe for Football Brownies

I simply cannot go an entire Christmas season without making this recipe at least once.  I keep some in a bowl on my counter to munch on, I bring it as hostess gifts to holiday parties, it works as a spin on cookies for swaps with friends, and it’s always a crowd pleaser at corporate potlucks!  I love getting creative in the kitchen and trying out tons of new recipes, but this is a staple that’s here to stay!  Plus, it transports really well and it’s super quick and easy to make…who doesn’t love that during this busy holiday season?

Peppermint Bark
Yield:  6-8 gift boxes (6x3x2-inches) or one gallon-sized ziplock bag
Time:  60 minutes total

36 oz dark chocolate
36 oz white chocolate
36 candy canes
parchment paper
canola cooking spray

1.  Spray the bottom of the 12×18-inch pan (I use a jelly roll pan).  Line with parchment paper.  Lightly spray the top of the parchment paper.

2.  Unwrap the candy canes (I recommend enlisting help…it gets tedious!) and place them in a large ziplock bag.  Cover the bag with a rag and hit with a mallet until the candy canes are broken up into small pieces.  (Be sure to use a rag you don’t care about since the mallet may punch tons of teeny tiny holes in the fabric!)  Set the crushed candy canes aside, but leave them easily accessible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.  Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave.  I find it works well to use 50% power for about 1 minute, stir, then return to the microwave in 20-30 second increments, to prevent scorching the chocolate.  Once it’s fully melted, pour it into the parchment-lined pan.  Spread it out evenly with a spatula, and tap a few times to pop some of the air bubbles that will form on the top.  Set aside for about 5-10 minutes at room temperature so the chocolate hardens.  It’s ideal if it’s not still wet and runny, but you don’t want it rock solid either.  Just firm enough that you can spread the white chocolate on top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Melt the white chocolate in the microwave.  Pour over the dark chocolate layer, being careful not to spread it around too much.  It will warm the dark chocolate underneath and if you move it around too much you’ll get a swirled effect on the top.  I find it’s best to pour the white chocolate all around the edges of the pan, then dump the rest in the middle to allow for minimal spreading.  Tap a few times to even out the surface and release the air bubbles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.  Working quickly so the white chocolate is still wet, evenly sprinkle the crushed candy canes all over the top surface of the white chocolate.  Cover and place in the fridge until hardened, about 15+ minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Once the bark is totally hardened, remove it from the pan in large chunks, and snap it into bite-sized pieces with your hands.  (You can use a blunt knife too, but I find that leaves dents that aren’t so attractive.  For the prettiest bark, use your hands!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now you’re ready to wrap up the bark to give it as gifts or just start munching!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes about the chocolate:

* For the dark chocolate, I prefer Wilbur Dark chips or Dark Cocoa Candy Melts by Wilton.  Of course, feel free to substitute milk chocolate for the dark chocolate if you like that better!

*For the white chocolate, I use Merckens Super White chips or Bright White Candy Melts by Wilton.  I like the “Bright White” or “Super White” because I think the regular white chocolate looks too dingy against the candy canes.  It’s more creamy/tan that white.

Here are photos:

PDF to Print Recipe for Peppermint Bark