Iowa Brownies

This recipe is really from Penzy spices.  It came from a reader who's releatives lived in Iowa.  Since we live in Iowa I figured what a better recipe to post than Iowa Brownies!

Brownies:

1 cup water
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder (Dutch is best)
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 Tbsp baking soda
8 oz sour cream
2 eggs

Frosting:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
4 Cups powdered sugar
3 Tbs Cocoa Powder (Dutch is best)
6 Tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter and COCOA POWDER. Cook over medium-high heat until boiling. Set aside to cool. In a mixing bowl, mix together the sour cream and eggs. Add the cooled cocoa mixture and mix well. Add the dry ingredients. Beat together until smooth. Pour into a greased 9x13 jelly roll pan. Do NOT flour the pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. When done they won't be firm but more cake-like and will spring back when lightly touched. Let cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting: Cream the butter until fluffy and then add the powdered sugar cup by cup alternating with 2 TB. of milk and 1 TB. of cocoa until all of the ingredients are added and the mixture is smooth. Spread the frosting on the brownies after they have been cooled.

Banana Split Brownie Pizza

This is another recipe from Pampered Chef that is so delicious.  I am not a huge pineapple fan on my brownie sundaes but in this dessert you really can't tell and it is just the right amount of pineapple.

1 package (21.5 oz) brownie mix plus ingredients to make brownies
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, drained
2 Tbs sugar
2 bananas sliced
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1/2 cups nuts chopped
1/4 cup chocolate ice cream topping

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions.  Cut a circle of parchment paper to fit on round baking stone.  (need at least 15 inch round stone) Pour brownie mixture onto parchment paper; spread into approximate 14 inch circle.  (*Do not bake without parchment paper or batter will run off baking stone while baking).  Bake 15-18 minutes or until brownie is set.  Do not over bake.  Cool completely.  In bowl, mix cream cheese, pineapple and sugar until well blended.  Spread cream cheese mixture over brownie.  Slice bananas and strawberries.  Chop nuts.  Arrange fruit over cream cheese mixture; sprinkle with nuts.  Drizzle chocolate topping over pizza.  Refrigerate.  Cut into wedges.

Do not substitute wax paper for the parchment paper in this recipe or batter will run off baking stone.  To use Parchment paper, place baking stone on the parchment and draw around it. Cut out the shape and place it on the surface of the stoneware.  Unlike wax paper, parchment paper will not scorch or melt during baking. 

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

This recipe came from Betty Crocker's website.  These are so easy and so good.  My husband has forbid me to make these cause he always wants to eat the whole pan.

Brownie Box

1 box (1lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker Original Supreme Brownie Mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box

Filling

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

Topping

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter

Heat oven to 350.  Grease bottom of 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray. 
In medium bowl, stir brownie mix according to box directions.  Spread in pan.  Bake 28 - 30 minutes or until toothpick  inserted comes out clean.  Cool completely, about an hour.
In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.  Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.
In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on high 30-60 seconds; stir until smooth.  Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling.  Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set.  For brownies, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows.