Brownie Mix Monday

This will be a regular thing, just so you know. I have been making brownie mixes for a long time. They are so quick and easy and stave off my chocolate cravings. Confession: I generally make a pan of brownies a week. I leave a couple at home and bring the rest to various places (usually to my neighbors). I get bored of doing the same old brownie mix in a pan though, so over the past year I have come up with some pretty creative ways to give a little schmaltz (not literally, because that would be gross) to the boring box mix. For the first Brownie Mix Monday I wanted to go all out. This is what I came up with. They were gooey, chocolatey, salty, and crunchy. Perfect, in my opinion. So very delicious.

Salty/Sweet Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownies

Brownie Ingredients
1 box brownie mix
Thin pretzel sticks

Peanut Butter Topping Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter
2 Tablespoons butter
1 cup powdered sugar
pinch of salt

Ganache Ingredients
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 1 cup)
1 cup heavy cream

Directions

1. Make brownies according to package instructions. In my opinion, any brownie is better than none, so I'm not particular or loyal to any brands. Pour brownie mix into a 13x9 pan. Line up the pretzels on top of the brownie mix like so:
2. Bake according to package instructions. You could stop here, I'm sure they would be delicious just like this, but I kept going.
3. To make peanut butter topping, mix peanut butter and butter in a pan on medium heat until they are both melted. Stir in the salt and powdered sugar. Spread on top of the cooled brownies. You could stop here, I'm sure they would be delicious just like this, but I kept going.
4. To make the ganache, I use a kind of unconventional method: Place the chocolate and cream in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. If the chocolate isn't melted put it back in for 20 seconds. Stir until all of the chocolate is melted and incorporated into the cream. If there are still chunks of unmelted chocolate, put it back in for 20 more seconds and stir.
   
5. Cut the brownies into even squares however big you want them. I think I got 24 pieces out of mine. Put the brownies on a wire cooling rack with space between each one. Pour about a tablespoon of ganache on each brownie and spread it a little so it drips down the sides. After you cover all of them, you can go back and put any leftover ganache on them (or you can eat it, I won't judge). You could stop here, I'm sure they would be delicious just like this, but I added one more thing...
6. I finished mine with a little sprinkle of sea salt because I'm obsessed, but it's not completely necessary.
   

Find this post linked at www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com