Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Marvelous Mud Pie Brownies

When it comes to birthdays, I'm a firm believer that brownies are the best way to celebrate.

And not just any brownie. We're talking Brownies Gone Wild.

How wild? Try Mud Pie Brownies: Gooey brownie, with a layer of toasted marshmallow, followed by a layer of fudge frosting, topped with toasted pecans.

Oh yes I did.

I know it's January. And I'm fully aware that it's the "Week o' Resolutions." I know you're all swearing off sugar, committing to a revitalized exercise plan, and kicking your butter-lovin' habits once and for all.

But in the midst of all the New Year's Resolution hype, my friend Alli celebrated her 27th birthday this week. And birthdays require brownies. More specifically, they require fudgy, gooey, Mud Pie Brownies that just plain rock my chocolate-loving soul.

So, eat some quinoa. Dine on some roasted red pepper soup. Satisfy that butternut squash craving.

And then, bake some bodacious birthday brownies...and enjoy.

Mud Pie Brownies
(adapted from this recipe at the Taste of Home community forum)

Adam proclaimed that these are "heaven on brownie Earth." Not sure it makes sense, but the point was clear: These brownies are incredible--especially the homemade fudge icing (it literally tastes like the marshmallow cream Fantasy Fudge recipe).

Brownie Ingredients:
  • 1 cup of butter (oh, yes!)
  • 4 oz. chopped unsweetened chocolate
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 cup chopped, toasted pecans
  • about 3 cups mini marshmallows

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray and set aside.

2) Melt butter and chocolate together in a double boiler. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly (about 5 min). Stir together the flour, sugar, and salt, and beat in the chocolate mixture. Beat in eggs and vanilla and pour into prepared pan.

3) Bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows on top and return to oven for about 2 minutes, or until brownies are cooked through (toothpick comes out clean of brownie crumb, but obviously there will be marshmallow goo on there!).

4) Meanwhile, prepare the frosting so that it can be poured on the warm brownies. When brownies are done, pour frosting over the warm brownies and sprinkle with pecans. Allow to cool completely! (resist the urge to cut while warm).

5) Package 'em up for the birthday girl (or boy!).


26 comments:

  1. haha my friends might kill me if I sent these... b/c they would devour them seconds after opening the box!

    they look fab =)

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

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  2. I dont think these would ever make it to who they were made for. I am quite certain I could finish the whole batch!

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  3. oh my! I wish I could have one right now for dessert!

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  4. oh, man. your friends are so lucky to have you.
    i bet the birthday girl was jumping with joy when she received them.

    hope you're having a wonderful day.

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  5. You know they're good if they call for a whole cup of butter!! :) Those look fabulous. Perhaps when my sweet tooth comes back I'll have to make them...so probably by Friday!

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  6. Let's not kid ourselves, you could add "marvelous" to everything you post on your site :) These brownies look exceptional though.

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  7. oh man now i'm really craving marshmallows!!!

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  8. I absolutely love the red pepper soup. It's my favorite. I bet the mud pie brownies were a perfect dessert with it.

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  9. You are probably going to laugh... but I never had a mud pie before...I need to google mud pie = )

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  10. These are the most bootilicious brownies ever! Can I say that about food? Your other recipes rock too... In fact, can I please ask you to cook this fab spread for my birthday?

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  11. I could really go for one of those right now! Recovering chocoholic...

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  12. Kylie, we are totally two peas in a pod. We eat as healthy as possible so that we can squeeze those indulgences in between! I really think that is the best way :) Balance is what it's all about, right? These brownies look amazing. My husband is a huge chocolate fan and his birthday is coming up next month so I think I'll make him some brownies too!

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  13. Oh woweeeee. How good do these look?! Such great flavour combinations, though I think I'd have to make myself go to the gym before I allowed myself one!

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  14. Oh my gosh these look unbelievable!! I love the short ingredient list, too. Yum!

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  15. oh my gosh, i am wishing we had a birthday at our house soon so i could whip these up. hmmmm, maybe we will make them anyways!!!!

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  16. What a lovely combination! My family will love this :D

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  17. Oh yes, bring 'em on! These look like the ultimate brownie. I would warm one up and have it with ice cream. :) Happy Birthday to Alli! I'm sure she loved these.

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  18. These brownies look fantastic! The gooey kind are my favorite :)

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  19. I just found your blog and I love it!

    brownies are my favorite and I haven't made them in so long. Now, if I could just make 1 or 2...so I don't eat too many at once!

    ~Lisa

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  20. Sometimes you need a little chocolate. Your brownies are making my mouth water.

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  21. Smile. Yes. Brownies and birthdays should always go hand in hand (with a big scoop of vanilla icecream too!) I love pecans, and I just picked up a bag. I can't wait to give this a try. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe with me. Sweet dreams, my friend!

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  22. Kylie, thank you for the brownies. They are insane. I will be celebrating my birthday all week.

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  23. These sound SO good. Mud pie brownies are one of the few spins I haven't tried. I need to fix that ASAP

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  24. I just love that the recipes starts with 1 cup of butter, oh how I love you! haha. These brownies sound and look AMAZING. Brownies are one of my favorite desserts ever and I seriously need to make these ASAP. They're calling my name. Pecans, marshmallows and chocolate?! YES please! :)

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  25. oh-my-gosh! those look do die for! I wish I had an excuse to try them! I will just have to wait for one of my friends to have a birthday I guess!!

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