I attend a department meeting once a month where we take turns being treats.  This month I brought brownies.  To my surprise, some folks do not know the tricks that can be done with regular brownie mix to improve it.

Here are my four favorite ways to dress up a brownie mix.  If anyone asks tell them it was very complicated with a lot of exotic ingredients.

Start with a box of brownie mix.  I don’t have a favorite; I just buy whatever brand is a dollar.  I usually stock up on a few boxes when they go on sale.  I use the 9×13 size box.

Peanut Butter Brownies:

• Make the brownies with the directions from the package and put the batter in your pan. (Follow the directions on the box to determine if the pan needs to be greased.)
• Take about a ½ a cup of peanut butter and melt it in the microwave until it is runny.
• Pour it in 2 strips (the long way) on top of the batter
• Take a regular table knife and swirl the peanut butter in to the batter.
• Bake until it is done.

Mocha Brownies:

• Make the brownies with the directions from the package  BUT replace the water with COFFEE!
• Dump in about a ½ a sack of chocolate chips (optional but totally worth it).
• Put the batter in a greased pan.
• Bake until done.

Turtle Brownies:

• Make the brownies like the package tells you to and add as many pecans as you want.  I usually go with ¾ cup.  I like pecans.
• Put the batter in your greased pan.
• Unwrap about a ½ a sack of caramels.
• Put them in a bowl that can go in the microwave
• Microwave them on high for 30 seconds. Stir.
• Microwave them in 30 second intervals at HALF power until they are melted.
• If you don’t use ½ power you will burn the caramel, stink up your house and have to start over.
• You have been warned.
• Add about a tablespoon of milk or cream with the caramel and stir until it is more liquidy
• Dump the caramel over the batter and bake.

Extra-Chocolate brownies:

• Make the brownies like the package says but add ½ a sack of chocolate chips and nuts if you want nuts.
• Put the batter in a greased pan.
• Bake until done.
• Sprinkle the other ½ of the sack of chocolate chips on top of the brownies as soon as they come out of the oven.
• Let the chocolate chips melt and carefully spread over the brownies like a frosting.

All of these must be totally cool before you cut them or the get all goobery. On the other hand, I get to eat the brownie goobers at my house.  If that is the case at your house, do whatever you need to do.

photo credit: Turtle Brownies by Christina Brown