Homemade Box Brownies

Everybody loves brownies! Am I right?! These homemade box brownies are fudgy and chewy with that crackling on top that just screams brownie. I’ve been working on this recipe for a while and I’ve finally nailed it!

Brownies, ugh, the nightmare of homemade brownies! They are so tricky to get just right! Our oven is not cooking evenly which I can manage 90% of the time but brownies are really tricky. Add on top that I’m obsessed with a crinkle top and these brownies have taken years to develop! They are Cade’s favorite dessert next to or equal to ice cream so the need to find perfection was big! And these are perfection!

These brownies are easy and fudgy and made totally from scratch! I’m not going to lie, the Ghirardelli brownies boxed mix that you can buy at Costco are my go-to when I’m in a rush, but this homemade brownie recipe rivals those Ghirardelli box brownies! There’s just something about homemade that feels and tastes so much better!

Ingredients for Homemade Box Brownies

There are some ingredients that are an absolute must for the best brownies. For a crinkle top and best flavor you have to use cocoa powder and chopped chocolate or chocolate chips. You also must use oil and butter. Here is a complete list of everything you need:

• Butter: use unsalted butter to control the salt in the brownies and you want it melted to get the right texture and the crackly shiny top on the brownies
• Vegetable Oil: helps the brownies be moist and fudgy
• Sugar: adds sweetness and balances the bitterness of the cocoa powder
• Brown Sugar: adds more sweetness and richness in flavor
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: adds all the chocolate flavor
• Eggs: adds structure to the brownies
• Vanilla Extract: adds flavor
• Espresso Powder: found in the baking section and is used to enhance the chocolate flavor. It can be skipped if you absolutely cannot find it or substitute with instant coffee.
• Salt: enhances all the flavors
• Flour: just regular all-purpose flour is all you need
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: adds texture and more chocolate flavor

The measurements for all these ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Box Brownies at Home

These fudgy brownies are made in just about 30 minutes and they taste even better than your favorite boxed brownies. Here are the steps for making them:

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9×9 baking pan with foil (or parchment paper) and then cooking spray.
2. Stir: Combine the melted butter, oil, sugar, and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until well combine and shiny.
3. Whisk: In a small bowl, add the eggs and whisk until pale yellow. Add in the vanilla, espresso powder and salt. Add to chocolate mixtu

Sweet and creamy with a gentle tang, buttermilk ice cream tastes like a more sophisticated, indulgent version of frozen yogurt. It may sound odd, but boy is it a delight!

Buttermilk Ice Cream

If you’re ever stuck for what to do with the rest of the buttermilk you used to make Buttermilk Syrup or Buttermilk Pancakes or even The Best Homemade Ranch Salad Dressing, look no further. This ice cream is going to be a revelation.

Scoop this into a bowl and serve alone or top with Berry Sauce for a warm weather treat that simply cannot be beat. It is a perfect base for any number of other toppings, too, like Salted Caramel Sauce.

Unique Ice Cream Flavors

Buttermilk ice cream may be more of a unique ice cream flavor concept than you’d usually make, but it is well worth the diversion from the standards. The same little tanginess and thick, silky texture that makes buttermilk work so well in baked goods gives vanilla ice cream a boost in the texture and flavor department.

And for a few more unique ice creams to try, check out Mac and Cheese Ice Cream, Pickle Ice Cream, and Popcorn Ice Cream.

To make this not-average at all sweet and tangy ice cream, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• heavy cream

With flavorful salmon nestled on a bed of baby greens, fresh herbs, glass noodles, avocado, crunchy cabbage and carrots, pickled broccoli and a to-die-for chili lime dressing, this Asian Salmon Salad is a showstopper.

This is a salad to get very excited for – just ask my friends and family. I’ve been shouting about it for months, and I’m thrilled to be sharing it with you at last.

Asian Salmon Salad

Yes, I did just call this salad exciting and I truly mean it. I challenge you not to fall head-over-heels for this colorful salad with a riot of textures and flavors.

The dish starts with a bed of baby arugula and spring mix. It is then topped with toothsome noodles, shredded carrot, thinly sliced red cabbage, pickled broccoli stems, fistfuls of torn fresh basil, cilantro, and mint, and toasted sesame seeds and tossed with the most insanely vibrant Thai chili lime dressing and crowned with roasted marinated salmon.

This salad is no side dish. It is an unapologetically main-dish salad worthy of the distinction. I’m not going to lie; it takes a couple of steps and some advanced planning to make this salad because of various components that need to rest overnight, but it is so worth it.

My friend and I tackled making this incredible-looking salad during a girls’ weekend after falling in love with the idea of it while looking through my copy of Mandy’s Gourmet Salads. You do need to start this at least one day before you plan to eat it because of the marinating and cooling time for the pickles and salmon, but I promise you won’t regret it!

15 Minute Pesto Pasta [+ Video]

Pesto pasta is a fresh, flavor-packed dish made with al dente penne, homemade basil pesto, and a touch of garlic and parmesan. It’s quick to whip up, full of bright, herby goodness, and perfect for tossing together on a busy night. All you need is a few simple ingredients and 15 minutes – yes, really!

This pesto pasta is fresh, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to throw together. The homemade basil pesto is rich with garlic, parmesan, and pine nuts, and it clings perfectly to every bite of penne. We’ve been making it since our basil started taking over the garden, and it’s still a favorite. Tossed, stirred, and devoured in minutes – this dish never lets us down.

Fresh basil has a way of sneaking into just about everything we make during the warmer months. Whether it’s tucked into a cheesy pasta or layered into something heartier, the flavor is always a hit around our table. When the mood calls for something extra cozy, we’ll go for our 20-Minute Cheesy Pesto Pasta – it’s like this dish’s rich, melty cousin. Or if we’re feeling that casual backyard dinner vibe, a slice of Pesto Pepperoni and Sausage Grilled Pizza totally hits the spot. And if you haven’t tried our Creamy Chicken Pesto Lasagna, you’re seriously missing out!

Ingredients for Pesto Pasta

This pesto pasta is proof that simple really can be spectacular. Just grab a few fresh staples, give them a whirl in the food processor, and boom – pasta night perfection.

• Penne Pasta: The perfect pasta shape to catch all that gorgeous pesto sauce in every nook and cranny. Spaghetti or rotini work well too!
• Pine Nuts: Lightly toasted for that buttery, nutty flavor that makes pesto sing. If you don’t have these in the pantry, walnuts or almonds are a good backup.
• Garlic: Adds a bold, savory depth to the pesto. We’re using fresh cloves for that extra zing!
• Sweet Basil: The star of the show. Use fresh basil leaves, packed tightly for the best flavor. No dried stuff here!
• Olive Oil: Helps everything blend smoothly and adds that classic richness. Stick with extra virgin for the best taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is best – trust us. Adds saltiness and a creamy texture to the pesto.
• Sea Salt and Fresh Black Pepper: Just a pinch or two to bring everything into balance.

The measurements needed for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

This citrusy, savory, and fabulously gingery, garlicky Marinated Asian Salmon recipe makes the most flavorful salmon you’ll ever have. While you do have to plan a few hours ahead, it’s easy to make and well worth the small amount of prep you need to do in advance.

Marinated Asian Salmon

You can serve this salmon hot immediately after cooking, but it really shines when you cool it down and serve it flaked over greens for the ultimate salad. The longer marinating process gives the fish time to absorb the perfectly balanced marinade all the way through.

Because of how deeply the marinade penetrates the fish, it is still mega-flavorful even when cold! No boring fish here.

Asian Salmon Marinade

To make this Asian salmon, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• salmon fillets
• avocado oil
• white miso paste
• tamari
• rice wine vinegar
• limes
• lemons
• garlic
• ginger
• Sriracha
• Sambal Oelek or other chili garlic paste

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