Sometimes I find shopping for kitchen gadgets to be an overwhelming task.
Gone are the days where you simply shop for 13×9 inch pans, rubber spatulas and foil.
OUR LATEST VIDEOS
Here are the days where there’s a novelty pan for um, everything, and gourmet mixes for everything and gadgets for… shaping meatloaf. Isn’t that the point? That it’s a loaf? Apparently I’m a moron.
Anyway, since my family is one dessert plate away from calling Hoarders on me, I can’t go shopping for any more novelty pans, appetizer forks, or paper straws. Though it’s certainly tempting. Waffle stick pan? Um, why is that not in my life? Egg sandwich pan? Hello, McDonald’s McMuffins are my jam, gurl.
And now they make brownie pans which is totally confusing. I mean, brownies are one of those easy, no-brainer kinda desserts. You don’t need bells and whistles to make them amazing, and you certainly don’t need a special pan.
Brownie pans won’t make your brownies any better than using a 13×9 inch baking pan, just like owning a Louis Vuitton handbag won’t make you the next Real Housewife. It just doesn’t happen like that. Thanks, life.
So I wanted to make a delicious brownie to prove to all those novelty pans and gizmos that I don’t need you and that I’m better off without you in my life. You hear that, waffle stick pan? I’M BETTER OFF. Also because I’m deathly afraid my family will call Hoarders. Don’t you dare take my food props or I’ll stab your eye with an miniature fork!!
I found this recipe for Twix Brownies over at Jasey’s Crazy Daisy and knew I had to try them. They have every element of a Twix bar except in a fudgy, gooey brownie form. The buttery shortbread crust. The dense, chocolate-y brownie. The oozing, rich caramel. And the delicious chocolate shell. It was heavenly… and it was happening… in a 13×9 inch pan.
Yeah. I think we’re better off.
Twix Brownies *adapted from Jasey’s Twix Brownies recipe
For the Shortbread Crust:
1 (12 oz) pkg shortbread cookies, finely ground
6 Tbsp melted butter
For the Brownies:
1 box brownie mix, plus ingredients on back of box
1/4 cup hot fudge sundae topping
For the Caramel Layer:
1 (14 oz) bag Kraft caramels, unwrapped (or use caramel bits–much easier)
2 Tbsp water or heavy cream
For the Chocolate:
1/2 pkg milk chocolate almond bark or Candiquik
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edges of the pan. Lightly mist with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the shortbread cookie crumbs with the melted butter until fully combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the foil-lined pan to form your crust. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, prepare your brownie mix according to package directions. Stir in 1/4 cup hot fudge sauce to the brownie batter (this makes for a super yummy brownie, but omit it if you’d like). Pour the brownie batter on top of the crust and spread to even out. Bake the brownies for approx. 25-29 minutes, or as directed on the back of the box. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean or with light crumbs. Cool completely in the pan.
4. Melt your caramels and water or cream in a microwave-safe bowl for one minute. Stir, then heat for additional 30 seconds-increments, stir, then heat again until melted. Once smooth, pour onto the cooled brownies and spread gently to even the layer. Pop those in the fridge for about 15 minutes to set while you melt your almond bark.
5. Spread the melted chocolate Candiquik/bark over the caramel layer in an even layer. Allow the brownie bars to set in the fridge or freezer, about 20 minutes, or until hardened. Cut into squares and serve!
Holy moly, guys. These are some of the most delicious brownies I’ve ever made! If you’ve never heard of the hot fudge + brownie mix tip, you need to adopt it into your everyday brownies. It makes them SO fudgy and extra delicious.. perfect for these decadent candy bar brownies. The shortbread crust has a perfect sweet yet salty crumb which compliments the buttery caramel sauce sitting pretty on the dense, fudgy brownies. And I don’t know about you, but I’m a sucker for a smooth chocolate shell. These brownies will be your new favorite!
Enjoy!!
xo, Hayley
The Witch's Kitchen says
Trust me, I need a whole other kitchen for all my specialty pans & cake decorating stuff. Yet I still find more everytime I go into a store or on the internet. The good news is that no one I know watches “Hoarders” (including me) and they get a kick out of the stuff I make so I think I’m safe!
FAB brownies! Looks like I’ll have to try these especially since Twix is my favorite.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Twix brownies? Uh yes please! And you totally made your point about the novelty items with these brownies. A 9×13 pan is all you need, although that waffle stick does seem pretty cool.
Nicky @ Pink Recipe Box says
Oh my gosh – these sound and look amazing! I totally get you – I’ve got a million and one specialized pieces of baking equipment for every thing and every holiday you could ever imagine and I just can’t stop! Pinning this fantastic recipe! 🙂
Red says
The waffle stick maker is hanging its head in shame right now! And the donut hole maker, mini cupcake maker and whoopie pie pan have all been served notice. Better off!! I’m going to make these when all the Halloween Twix bars are gone.
Rachel (@rachelcooksblog) says
Holy crap these look good.
The Domestic Rebel says
Thanks Rachel!! 🙂
createdbydiane says
I just love twix bars and these look WONDERFUL!!!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
You aren’t alone with being a kitchen hoarder! i want all cool gadgets and dishes. My kitchen is bursting at the seams!
These brownies are amazing though. We love Twix in this house!
Chandra @The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen says
Why oh Why do you make me crave such yummies!?
Sally says
Hi Hayl! These brownies make my day. I’m not having a good one. Being stuck in the office ona day I thought I’d have off b/c of the hurricane STINKS! And the heat isn’t working here! How miserable. Just looking at these brownies cheers me up. Seriously! I love love love twix bars. So many WONDERFUL layers! 🙂
Ms. Kuehn says
Oh my goodness, Hayley! I heard about these this morning and had the pleasure of sampling them at work….they were the most amazing thing EVER. Absolutely lovely! Great job! 🙂
Jen @ Savory Simple says
These are RIGHT ON
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
I’m notorious for purchasing kitchen gadgets and specialized bakeware. It’s a sickness, I think, but there are definitely worse things, right?? But holy cow, these brownies look awesome. We’re having a bummer week here and I could definitely use some of these my way, mmkay?
crazyforcrust says
I looooooove these. And my family is one donut pan away from calling Hoarders on me…
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection says
Twix are by far my favorite candy, so I’m head over heels for these brownies! They look amazing!!
Jasey @ Crazy Daisy says
Thanks for the link back! Your picts are gorgeous! I’m so glad you enjoyed my recipe:)
The Domestic Rebel says
Yes, I did! They were delicious!! Thank YOU for the recipe 🙂
BruCrew Life says
We will fight off Hoarders together. My husband just shakes his head when I walk in the door with more pans or food props. I am raising my hand to having the waffle stick maker. What??? I had to have it…it makes waffle sticks!!! LOL! But I agree, there is nothing better than a brownie baked up in a regular pan. These ones? Holy cow…they look so seriously awesome!!!
livliveslife says
Ohhhh my goodness, this recipe just made my day! I LOVE the idea of adding hot fudge to brownie mix. Yum yum yum.
The Domestic Rebel says
It’s the best kept secret, I agree! Thanks, girl! 🙂
Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies says
Om nom nom! These look so good! Twix is my favorite candy bar, so I’m VERY excited to try these!
Jen says
My 3-year-old saw these and said, “These look so yummy, I can barely keep my eyes in my eyeballs.” I agree.
The Domestic Rebel says
OMG! So cute! Thanks Jen! 🙂
Unruh2Don says
These are AMAZEBALLS!!!! Lots of work but totally worth it!!!
Tammy says
I made these tonight. They looked so good and I couldn’t resist. They taste pretty good but my cookie crust didn’t stick together. It is still very “crumby” and just falls off. 🙁 What did I do wrong?