This year I decided I was going to make brownies for the pig roast. They were easier than individual cookies as I could make the entire pan and then freeze it before slicing. However, I got bored–which is kind of ironic because I personally tend to prefer plain brownies– and started making brownie variations. This turned out to be a brilliant idea, especially after my mom and I put together cute signs for the brownies. Next year I will do the same thing. It was such a nice presentation!
Some brownie ideas:
* Make some with chopped chocolate, some with Dutch processed cocoa powder and some with natural cocoa (identify each)
* Try adding peppermint patties, as done here
* Try adding peppermint chips, as done here
* Try adding 1 tablespoon espresso powder to the melted butter and cappuccino chips to the batter
* Try adding chopped nuts
* Try adding caramel bits and fleur de sel to the batter; top with extra fleur de sel for salty caramel brownies
* Try adding 2 teaspoons chipotle powder and 1 1/2 teaspoons each of New Mexico chile power and ancho chile powder. Sprinkle with red sanding sugar to distinguish as spicy!
I am sure more ideas will occur to you–such as your favorite candy bar chopped, cream cheese swirled or peanut butter swirled. I am excited for next year already! If you want more brownie ideas, there have been several posted on this blog. I used 3 different cocoa powder recipes, within which I tried several different cocoa powders, natural and Dutched. For me personally (and yes I tried Valrhona) I still prefer the Scharffenberger and other natural cocoa powder based brownies, and I decided the best cocoa powder based brownie recipe I have tried is Alice Medrich’s. Thanks to my sister, who made the brownies with nuts, the brownies with chopped chocolate, and who suggested the fleur de sel with the caramel bits.
As with other pig roast photos, please excuse the pictures. The brownies turned out kinda red in them–I am not sure why, maybe that setting sun streaming into the picture. But I think you can get the idea of the tray nonetheless; I got loads of compliments on them.
All of those sound fabulous. Brownies with toffee bits in them would be pretty good too.
Yum. Yum. YUMMM!!! And I was *so* trying to be good this week!
fleur de sel and caramel?? *dies*
seriously, that sounds beyond good. One of the best flavor combinations ever, then to put it in a brownie? oh moan.
a huge variety of brownies is a terrific idea for a party, mostly because the possibilities are literally endless! i love all that you've mentioned and would most likely go hog-wild at such a display. 🙂
It's a great idea. For a fancy dinner party I once served dessert as brownies three ways and it was amazing!
The flags are my fave