Baked Lunchbox

Dark Chocolate Brownies: so rich, so tempting, so delicious!

Here’s the long-awaited Brownie post as promised! 

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You see, Brownies are the must-know-how-to-bake when you really like baking. It’s one of the simplest and easiest pastry to bake just as long as you keep your consistency, it’s all good! 

First, prepare the ingredients! I’m doing this routine of measuring everything and laying them all in front of me before starting to mix everything. This way, I won’t have to hurry myself getting the salt from the shelves while the batter is already mixed because I just want everything to go smoothly. Just try this, it won’t bite.

Melt the butter when making brownies; not creamed, not softened. This will make the brownie’s texture really smooth.

Mix in sugar and cocoa powder, one at a time.

Fold in flour, split into 3 portions to incorporate fully.

I also sandwiched small chunks of dark chocolate in between the batter poured into the cups for added richer taste of the brownie.

Pop into oven for 20 minutes, alternating sides halfway. 

While waiting for the brownies to bake, the weather outside was so lovely. A little bit of drizzle from time to time. This is the kind of perfect weather for me :D

View from the kitchen window. Lovely, isn’t it?

After a few moments, the brownies are done! They look yummy!!

I was happy I bought the foil cups weeks earlier because they’re just perfect for the brownies! It kept the temperature inside the brownie balanced so it baked perfectly. Unlike when baking brownies using a pan, the center part of the brownie is usually raw but the sides are already overbaked. Blahhh…

Well done, silver foil cups! *clap*clap*

And so this concludes today’s chapter of Baked Lunchbox! Stay tuned for more mouth-watering food experience!! :D

No-bake Chocolate Nutella Brownie Cake with Cookies & Cream frosting and Mango garnish: Cioccolatoso Bontà (recipe included)

[Chocolatey goodness]

Quick cake in 20 minutes!

That’s how easy this brownie cake was. This recipe didn’t call for any traditional baking techniques like sifting or leveling. Its was more of heaping and mixing altogether!

I poured the batter into tiny sauce bowls which seemed appropriate for one-size serving.

Question: If it’s not baked, how was is cooked?

Well, it’s the magic of the microwave! Pop it in for 1 minute and 45 seconds, and they’re ready! Do NOT over-microwave them even for 5 or 10 more seconds because they’ll be dry and hard.

To know if the brownie cake is too dry:

Too dry - the cake can be easily removed from the container; the edges are all curled in; it’s hard.

Don’t worry if it’s still a little bit moist, it’ll cook while it’s out of the microwave because the container is still hot.

To pretty it up a bit: top with Cookies & Cream frosting and a slice of mango for color ;P 

Everything under 20 minutes! 

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RECIPE & INSTRUCTIONS:

4 Tbsp. AP flour

4 Tbsp. fine sugar

3 Tbsp. cocoa powder

Mix all dry ingredients together.

Make a hole on the center of dry mix (imagine a volcano).

Then add accordingly:

3 Tbsp. Nutella

3 Tbsp. milk

3 Tbsp. vegetable oil or butter (melted but cooled)

1 egg

Keep on mixing until incorporated. Do NOT over-mix as this will ruin the batter texture.

Pour into small pan or large mug (the batter should be at least 1 inch thick).

Pop into microwave for 1 minute and 45 seconds.

Pull out of microwave and use a toothpick to check if it’s already cooked.

(Stick in toothpick to center of the brownie cake. Pull out clean.)

Let it cool completely before putting on frosting. (Put in fridge for faster cooling)

TADA!

Ghirardelli Brownie Mix; The last instant baking mix I’m ever gonna use!

Baking with an instant mix is quick and easy but it steals away all the fun of baking from scratch so this is the last instant baking mix I’m ever gonna use. 

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It’s easy as 1, 2, 3… literally!

1. Mix brownie mix, egg, oil and water together

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2. Pop into oven

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3. Ready to eat!

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I added some crushed Oreos on top to give it a bit more crunch and so it will look good too ;P

Also made some heart shaped ones ♡

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Chewy and it’s gonna make you fat! OMNOMNOM!!

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ps. they look like Glen’s Wad (if you watched the movie “Accepted”, you’d know what I’m talking about hahaha!) 

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