Raspberry Brownie Bites

These are hands-down my favorite "go-to" recipe for instances I need to provide a quick treat for any occasion.  They require minimal preparation and everyone loves them!  Brownie  Bites are extremely versatile.  You can substitute raspberries with mini peanut butter cups, Hershey Kisses, M&Ms, etc. However, I think that the Dark Chocolate/Raspberry combination can't be beat!

To begin you will need a box Dark Chocolate brownie mix.  I have tried these  bites with non-Dark Chocolate mixes, and the taste isn't quite as good.  After preparing the batter as directed, use a cookie scoop to fill the cavities of a greased mini muffin pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes.  Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.  Place bites on a cooling rack set over waxed paper.

While the brownies continue to cool, prepare the chocolate ganache.

Chocolate Ganache for Brownie Bites

recipe by Betty Crocker

2/3 cup whipping cream

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

In a one quart saucepan heat whipping cream over low heat just to boiling.  Remove from heat; stir in chocolate chips until melted.  Let stand for 15 minutes or until mixture coats a spoon.  Pour 2 teaspoons of mixture over brownie bite.  Top with fresh raspberry if desired.

Really, these are the perfect sized treat and present wonderfully on a dessert table.  I've used them for just about any occasion imaginable and they are always a huge hit!  I'm sure you will love them, too.  :)

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A Bite of Brownie with a Candy Cane Kiss

Over the Holidays I had my heart set on making a chocolate ball cookie rolled in sugar topped by a Hershey Candy Cane Kiss, you know, essentially a chocolate Peanut Butter Blossom (in case I haven't mentioned how much I love them!).  Although I am not a big fan of the zillions of Kiss combinations that are out there, these candy cane ones are adorable. 

So, I perused the internet for chocolate cookie recipes, specifically ones that would result in a nice, puffy cookie and experimented with a few, but they all fell flat (pun intended!).  I cannot stand when cookies bake into eachother, creating a flat side on a round cookie.  Drives me crazy!

At this point I became quite annoyed and considered a plan B.  I decided on brownie bites.  I used a box mix, Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate, and baked up the bites as directed using a mini muffin pan.  I sprayed Pam cooking spray on the pan and used a paper towel to remove excess spray and make sure it was applied evenly.

Once they came out of the oven, I placed a Candy Cane Kiss in the middle of the brownie.  I noticed doing it this way it created an unattractive crack in the indent.  

So, I used a tablespoon measure to make the indent, which looked better.

Once the Kisses are placed on top of  the brownie bites, let them cool for at least an hour before removing from the pan.  Doing so before they are sufficiently cooled can result in deformed Kisses.  The middle bite in the photo below serves as an example of my impatience.

These bites feel like cheating because they are so easy to make.  They are also a nice spur of the moment treat if company is coming with short notice.  The Kisses have a very strong peppermint taste, which compliments the chocolate of the brownies very nicely.  I think they look festive for the Holiday Season, too!