I came up with these brownies for my big dude (the one I'm married to) because he's a huge fan of Target's trail mixes. His favorites are the Black and White and the Dark Chocolate Espresso.
For this recipe, I used Dark Chocolate Espresso Trail Mix. What's inside? Chocolate-covered almonds, praline almonds, mocha pecans, chocolate chips, hazelnuts, and chocolate-covered coffee beans. What I love about adding it to brownies is that you get a lot of different "crunches," not just your typical pecans or walnuts.
My advice to you is this: make these brownies when you have people to share them with. I'm sitting here, totally full from lunch, one huge brownie down. I start editing the pictures and ohmygosh....how could I resist going back for another?!? I mean, look at them...
{Of course, I cut one in half, went back to editing pictures, then promptly got up and ate the other half. Who are these people who can eat 1/2 of a brownie?}
Side note: I was telling one the sweet (super fit) instructors at Pure Barre that I struggle with seeing big results from working out. You see, I explained, blogging and recipe development involve lots of taste testing, and her advice was to test "just one bite." And that, my friends, is why she looks the way she does, and I look the way I do. ;)
Alright, back to the brownies. Here's what you can expect: deep, dark chocolate...a hint of espresso...fudgey texture...melty chocolate...and assorted crunchiness throughout.
To get that deep, dark color and rich chocolate flavor, I swear by Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa...
Dark Chocolate Espresso Trail Mix Brownies
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter
2 & 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 & 1/2 cups Dutch process cocoa
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 & 1/4 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
1 cup Target Archer Farms Dark Chocolate Espresso Trail Mix
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13" pan.
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Once melted, stir in the sugar. Stir the sugar and butter while gently heating until the mixture is warm to the touch (but not boiling). Remove the pan from the heat.
Stir in the cocoa, espresso powder, salt, baking powder and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs until incorporated.
Stir in the flour...
...then fold in the trail mix.
Pour into the prepared pan, and smooth. Bake for 28 minutes, or until done. Cool in the pan on a wire cooling rack.
*adapted from King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion*
Y'all...forget the dudes. I think I'm going back for another.
Just one bite. psht. BORING! I'm sure she's a lovely instructor, but get serious. I work for a food distributor, I'm with you, samples are job security. :)
ReplyDeleteYUM, and I love that these don't use melted chocolate which I never have around the house!
ReplyDeleteOH heck yes! I want the whole pan.
ReplyDeleteOh geez...my stomach is growling as I'm looking at this post. I've never really paid much attention to groceries at Target, but I'll have to pick up some of that trail mix to make these - they look FANTASTIC!!
ReplyDeleteWow!
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ReplyDeleteWhen you make brownies, you don't mess around. Those look amazing, Bridget!
ReplyDeleteI can barely type, these look so fabulous!
ReplyDeleteBridget,
ReplyDeleteSo the extra pounds I'm carrying are from being a food blogger and not just the age? Wish I had some now.
Annamaria
I love the trail mixes from Target too! Especially this one and the pumpkin spice version. Great idea to add to brownies!
ReplyDeleteSomehow I've overlooked the fabulous trail mix section at Target. I will definitely look for them during my next visit and thank you for bringing these jewels to my attention!!!
ReplyDeleteI made these and they were delicious! I added chocolate covered coffee beans but they didnt really go with the rest of the texture of the brownies.
ReplyDelete