Milk Chocolate Brownies

I wasn’t always a brownie fan but now, there’s nothing like a warm pan of rich, chewy brownies with a cup of coffee! I enjoy cutting out designs and decorating them for various occasions. I used to make this recipe with semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips. Once I tried milk chocolate, I’ve never gone back.

INGREDIENTS:

• SALTED BUTTER: I like salted butter in this recipe. I think it adds balance. If you only have unsalted butter on hand, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt when melting the butter.
• COCOA & VANILLA: I get the unsweetened cocoa powder and bourbon vanilla extract at Trader Joe’s. You can use any cocoa you like as long as it’s unsweetened and you can use regular vanilla.
• BROWN SUGAR: I love brown sugar in my recipes! It gives the brownies a nice crunchy top and edges. If you don’t have brown sugar, replace it with another cup of granulated sugar...1 cup total.
• ESPRESSO POWDER: The 1/4 teaspoon of espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor. You will not taste any coffee in the brownies. Most stores carry it in their coffee section. You may leave it out, if you prefer.
• BAKING TIME: Baking time is 25 minutes in my oven. Be careful not to over bake. Remember, they will continue to cook a little while cooling. You want them to be gooey and chewy.
• PAN SIZE: For regular brownie thickness, use a 9 x 9 pan. If you would like a thicker brownie, use an 8 x 8 pan and adjust your baking time.
• NUTS: You may add a1/4 cup of chopped toasted pecans or walnuts. I have also used chopped peanuts.

WHERE DO I GET MY CHOCOLATE?

I’ve been asked this question quite a bit. I have tested so many brands... There can be a difference depending on what you’re making.

MY FAVORITES:

• Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and also Milk Chocolate Chips.​
• Guitard Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and also Dark Chocolate Chips.
• Whole Foods 365 Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips.

I used Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Chips in this recipe and it tastes amazing!

Trader Joe's used to be my favorite but after the pandemic, something changed. The chocolate chips have a liquor taste and it distracts from the other ingredients I have tried to balance in the recipe. So, if you use your favorite chocolate and the recipe tastes different or fails, it may be a change in the supplier's recipe. 

After cutting heart shaped brownies, I placed them on a pan with a rack, melted 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips, then drizzled the white chocolate on the brownies using a spoon. The drizzle lines don’t have to be perfect. Have fun with it. I made two passes over each brownie.

When done, add sprinkles.

The brownie is a canvas for different flavors of chocolate and the thousands of sprinkle options available. It’s a great gift for family and friends!

---