Homemade Brownie Mix

Keeping with the tradition of homemade mix week this week I thought I would share brownie mix. This is my sister's recipe and one I think is amazing. It's a quick and easy homemade mix that is not chuck full of extra additives and preservatives, and made with love! You can't beat that! Good for holiday gift giving...or anytime on hand goodies! Plus, you might just already have all this stuff hanging around your house. Less money going out means more for other things. I know a few who are counting every penny this year. God bless you! I'm sure there are a few friends you can think of who would love this stuff! Winter school break is coming up. Why not have the kids help you by holding open the bags while you scoop in the ingredients, or by helping you count your kitchen math. "Kids, how many Tablespoons are in a Cup (16)"...How many teaspoons in a Tablespoon? (3)...Go on from there wherever the conversation leads.

These make a 9 inch by 13 inch pan. Make them 10 at a time and you have quick and fast mixes on hand. Sell them to make extra holiday money. Whatever you need. Again, this is my gift to you. Need to earn money for the youth ministry or cub scouts? This is a great way to do so. Get the kids involved (with very clean and sanitized prep areas, hair nets and gloves). No reason they can't help. Try having them make or decorate the gift bags. I've slipped the mix into cloth bags tied with a bow, or gone as simple as colored lunch size sacks with printed labels giving baking instruction. Whatever fits your needs.

Auntie Em's BROWNIE MIX

1 1/4 c all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2/3 c cocoa powder

1 1/4 c white sugar

1/2 c chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts,walnuts or pecans (optional)
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Optional flavor additions:
1/2 tsp raspberry,orange, or cherry flavored drink mix (like kool-aid optional)
2T instant coffee or Pero(non-coffee grain drink powder) for mocha
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a zip top quart bag. When I do 10, I put the bags in bowls standing upright and go down the assembly line so I don't miss any ingredients. It's a great fast way to pump out a lot of goodie bags at once. If you give instructions for the rocky road brownies, include a separate bag with the nuts,chocolate, and marshmallows. I do the same with Caramel brownies.

Include the following cooking instructions:

TO MAKE: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan. Empty brownie mix into a large mixing bowl, and stir to blend. Mix in 1 c melted margarine, 3 eggs and 1 t vanilla. Mix thoroughly. Spread batter evenly into prepared baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely in pan before cutting.


TO MAKE INTO ROCKY ROAD BROWNIES: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan; set aside. Place the brownie mix, 3 large eggs, 1/2 c melted butter, and 1/4 c milk in a large bowl; stir with wooden spoon until smooth, then pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes. The moment the pan is out of the oven and on a wire rack, sprinkle 3 c of miniature marshmallows over the top, followed by 1 c chopped nuts and 1 c chocolate chips. Cover the pan with aluminum foil to hold in the heat for 5 minutes; then uncover the pan and cool for an additional 30 minutes.

Caramel topped: Unwrap 12 squares of caramel and place on top of warm brownies just after they come out of the oven. Cover with foil for 5 minutes. Uncover and allow to cool an additional 30 minutes.