Java Chocolate Brownies – a perfect balance
Are you ready for some chocolate?
In honor of Valentine’s Day, we’re sharing chocolate recipes this week. I’m starting with one of my quasi-original favorites – java chocolate brownies.
- Yes, they are as good as they sound.
- Yes, they are very easy.
For some people, cooking not done from scratch is like breaking a commandment. For the rest of us, there’s grace and cake mixes. For this recipe, use a “family size” brownie mix that gives directions to bake in a 9 x 13 pan. But we are going to break that law!
This recipe is a perfect balance of two of my favorite things – chocolate and coffee. As I think about it, it’s also a balance of grace and law
When mixing the batter, replace the water with chocolate syrup. In general, this is a good policy. Think I’ll try it at various times throughout the week. For the coffee, use some you brewed that morning or mix up a little batch with instant crystals.
Java Chocolate Brownies
1 family size brownie mix
2 eggs
1/2 c. oil
1/4 c. chocolate syrup
1/4 c. strong coffee
Ingredients may change based on the mix you use. Mix up the brownies as directed (this is where we follow the law) EXCEPT replace water with chocolate syrup. Add coffee. Pour into square-ish pan. (8×8 or slightly larger. The Pampered Chef square baker is a great size.) Bake according to directions. The chocolate syrup and thicker batter make these very moist, so you don’t have to worry so much about over-baking.
To kick things up another notch, make coffee frosting from Jiffy mix. (Grace and Jiffy mixes, amen.) Instead of hot water, use coffee. While these brownies aren’t religious, they will help you stay awake through the sermon.
If you’re not a coffee fan, just leave it out. Throw in some chocolate chips, nuts, candy pieces. This recipe is all about not being under the law. Speaking of law, former U.S. Attorney General and Missouri Governor John Ashcroft shared the recipe that is the basis for this one.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Enjoy some chocolate or coffee. Or both!
~ Susan
Grace and cake mixes…I love it!! And you better believe I’ll try these!! I love note being under the law!! Thanks, Susie!!
Oh, my goodness! Didn’t you ever hear of “Thou shalt not tempt?” Now I just have to try it…what could be better than coffee and chocolate in the same bite!!
Guilty as charged, Jeanie!
Delightful blog today, Susie. What a recipe! I think I’ll be needing to try it out. I wondered if anyone would notice if my chocolate recipe was a cake from a box…now I know you’ll all be filled with grace and understanding!!
I love recipes that start with a mix and then you can “mix it up” a bit with your own ingredients. So I say bring it on! There’s a time to bake from scratch, and a time to use a mix. I’m looking forward to this week.
Leave out the coffee and I might try this.
Bek (my daughter) made chocolate cherry cake once with a mix plus cherry pie filling. It was yummy.
That sounds delicious! I didn’t realize you weren’t a coffee drinker. It’s a habit I’ve picked up in my old age
Love the coffee and chocolate combo!!
I’m not a coffee fan either, but I have to say…..there’s something about coffee that intensifies the taste of chocolate. Maybe I’ll make these for my hubby’s birthday. I think he’d love ‘em. Thanks, Susie!