You’ve heard of Brookies, right?
They’re those brownies with cookies baked on top. Get it? Brownies + cookies = brookies.
But today I’m making browcakes. Errr.. cupnies.
Maybe we don’t have to name it right away since ‘browcakes’ sounds like a term to describe someone with horribly circular eyebrows and ‘cupnies’ sound like weird kneecaps… which reminds me, I once dated someone who didn’t like when girls had “weird kneecaps.” Um, have you seen a kneecap? They aren’t necessarily some sought after sex symbol or anything. What determines a “weird” kneecap and a “pretty” kneecap? Hence why this story begins with ‘I once dated someone…’
But whatever you wanna call it, it’s definitely considered delicious. To be more technical, they’re brownies topped with — go figure — vanilla cupcakes. Like actual baked & frosted & sprinkled-up cupcakes. The result is an insanely intoxicating combination of sweet Funfetti cupcakes, sugary buttercream icing and super fudgy brownies that kinda sorta explodes in your mouth. Also, I promise never to say ‘explodes in your mouth’ again. Sorry about that.
…So, um, are you going to make them yet?!
- 1 box chocolate fudge brownie mix, plus ingredients on back of box
- 12 miniature vanilla/Funfetti cupcakes, baked and frosted with wrappers removed
- ½ can vanilla frosting, prepared or in a can
- Sprinkles
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease a 13x9" baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
- Prepare the brownie batter according to package directions. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Meanwhile, chop each unwrapped vanilla cupcake in half lengthwise and scatter the frosted vanilla cupcake pieces over the top of the brownie batter as evenly as possible.
- Bake the brownies for approx. 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean or with few moist crumbs. Cool the brownies completely.
- Melt the prepared vanilla frosting until smooth -- about 15-20 seconds (you don't want it too runny or else it'll separate and become a weird consistency). Drizzle the icing evenly over the brownies and immediately sprinkle with rainbow jimmies, if you'd like. Cut into squares and serve!
These are one of those recipes that I *almost* feel guilty publishing because I hardly consider it a ‘recipe’ and more of a mishmash of things I already had lying around 🙂 if you’ve never baked with frosted cupcakes before (or prepared frosting for that matter) then you’re in for a real treat! I LOVE that the frosting gets caramelized in the oven, creating these pockets of crispy sugar throughout the fudgy brownies. They’re sweet and offer a nice crunchy texture to the chewy brownies. Plus, the pops of Funfetti cake color and sweetness are fun, too! You could switch things up by using any flavor cupcake you desire — chocolate, strawberry, even something like carrot cake! Or if you can find festive St. Patrick’s Day or Easter cupcakes these would look super cute in hues of greens & golds or pastels for the holidays!
Have a fantastical day!!
xo, Hayley
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I am LMAO right now b/c after the tons of recipes I just wrote where I needed to put some names together, OMG. They don’t always pair well! These cupnies are amazing. 🙂
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
I have never baked a frosted cupcake before! What a fun idea!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I’ve heard of brookies before but ditzy Ashley never knew what that word meant. Thanks for the lesson! LOL Tuesday is creative brownie night at my friend’s get-together…this came just in time 😉
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
caramelized frosting sounds tooo die for!!! Mmmm I love your genius new idea (even if it is currently nameless :P)
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
Absolutely fabulous darling (said in my lisa voice) I have never baked with cupcakes or made frosting before- what a fabulous idea. You had me at the frosting caramelizing.. GET IN MA BELLY!
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
Everything about this mismash is delicious!!! What a great idea 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
omg now I’m wondering if I have weird kneecaps. I don’t think so?! But maybe. Who knows. Poor kneecaps…what’d they ever do to anyone? 😉 I can just console myself AND my kneecaps by eating a dozen browcakes because that buttercream goo is calling my name for reals.