Rich and chocolaty, double-frosted Fancy Brownies make a casual dessert that is satisfying while requiring minimal prep time. Starting with a pan of brownies from a boxed mix, this recipe is a great way to use up leftover frosting. Adding a chocolate layer to the top gives it a beautiful finish.
Using Up Leftovers
It’s a chain reaction. Left over bits and pieces accumulate from the things I buy to help me use up the leftovers I already have. And then what do I do with those leftovers? Sometimes I think convenience foods or mixes are the perfect thing to balance the playing field.
A few weeks ago I had half a bar of cream cheese sitting in my refrigerator and nothing on the menu that could use just half a bar. Then I remembered that I had one round layer of Italian Wedding Cake in my freezer that I made from half of my Italian Wedding Cupcake batter just before we went on our California Road Trip.
I took the cake out of the freezer and made a batch of Cream Cheese Frosting to ice the single cake layer. I just frosted the top and it was nice. My little cake was kind of pretty and very tasty. I shared it with some friends.
Now the cream cheese had found a use but half of the Cream Cheese Frosting was leftover because the cake was only one layer. What should I do with the rest?
From Plain Brownies to Fancy Brownies
Then I saw Robin Sue’s recipe for Fancy Brownies. Her brownies were neatly cut, cleanly layered and really pretty! They sounded easy and I thought they would be fun to try. I almost always have a box of brownie mix in the cupboard, so I could make them quickly and wouldn’t need to go to the store. It seemed like a great way to use the frosting while trying something simple and new.
My Fancy Brownies didn’t turn out quite as pretty as Robin Sue’s but they were a hit! Rich and chocolaty, they made a great casual dessert with very little prep time. I used my Cream Cheese Frosting instead of the Buttercream Frosting Robin Sue suggested. Mexican Hot Chocolate Frosting, or almost any frosting, would probably work just as well. I can also imagine stirring a little mint flavoring or a cup of crushed oreos or butterfinger bars into the frosting before spreading it onto the brownies. Use your imagination and enjoy!
Fancy Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
Brownies15
minutes5
minutes20
minutesFancy Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting dress up a basic pan of brownies with pretty layers of frosting and chocolate.
Ingredients
- Fancy Brownies
1 13×9 inch pan of your favorite brownies, baked and cooled
1 to 2 cups of frosting (I used Cream Cheese Frosting, see below)
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- Cream Cheese Frosting
4 ounces of cream cheese
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sifted powdered sugar (I usually don’t sift it but that risks lumps)
Directions
- Fancy Brownies
- Spread the frosting over the cool brownies.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate chips over low heat stirring constantly until smooth.
- Spread the chocolate glaze over the iced brownies smoothing to the edges. Allow the chocolate to set before cutting.
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a medium sized mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese and vanilla at medium speed until smooth and uniform.
- Add the powdered sugar gradually and mix at high speed until the sugar is incorporated and the icing is smooth and fluffy.
Notes
- Recipe Source: The Idea for Fancy Brownies comes from Robin Sue at Big Red Kitchen. The Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Complete Step-by-Step Cookbook.
- If the Cream Cheese Frosting seems too soft to spread as you would like, refrigerate it briefly before spreading. To use this frosting for decorating cakes or cupcakes you may want to add more powdered sugar while mixing. The amount will depend on the consistency you are looking for. Store any leftover frosting in the refrigerator.
- Try stirring bits of crushed Oreo Cookies or Butterfinger Candy Bar into the frosting before spreading it over the Brownies to add some variety to the texture.
Wow !!
Your brownies look gorgeous and yummy!
So glad you made these and liked them. I agree that any frosting would be great! Thanks for the link!
This is the ultimate brownie….
I am so making these. How yummy is this!
Delicious!!! Love the cream cheese frosting on top of the brownings. Who am I kidding, I like it right out of the can.
Next time I make brownies I'm doing it your way.
Fancy is good! Have a wonderful Fourth of July Lisa.
boy, those are fancy, but still definitely doable! i'd like a little mint in mine, if you please. 🙂
happy 4th, lisa!
Brownies are my all time favorite food (well, they are tied for first place with fudge).
OMG! Wish I had one of these to go with my cuppa right now!! Fabulous Lisa.
These look yummy! What a great idea! Double decadence.
Those look fabnlkl,../,.. . . . .
Sorry. Had to pick myself up off the floor, there. FABULOUS!!! (Drool, drool).
Those are so pretty! I've never tried to make my brownies this way. I'll have to give it a shot!
Have a great 4th!