Super Stuffed Brownie Bites

More About This Recipe

• Great to give as DIY gifts -- or to just stuff in your mouth! These brownies are pregnant with a sweet surprise in the center. Take a bite -- what's inside yours?
  
  The holiday season is big for homemade gifts in our house. There’s something so special about making presents for those you care about, knowing they'll enjoy them so much. So, every December, I make dozens of cookies and confections and give them to everyone from teachers to family members.
  
  But I hate to be predictable. That’s why I avoid chocolate chip cookies (I can make those any time of year!) and instead fill gift baskets with unique creations.
  
  These Super Stuffed Brownies totally fit the bill.
  
  They are crazy easy -- you bake the brownies in muffin tins so they are already portioned and ready to wrap up -- and they're ready in about an hour.
  
  Yummy Middles
  
  It’s the creative centers that really make these brownies … and the good news is that these can be as creative as you are. Go for mini or fun size candies, which are the ideal size for the muffin tins that you bake them in.
  
  Here are some ideas for yummy brownie middles:
  
  Mini peanut butter cups
  Sweet Moments Truffles (refrigerated aisle at your store)
  Mini peppermint patties
  Mini chocolates
  Mini marshmallows
  Chocolate-covered caramels
  Maraschino cherries
  Mini Oreos
  White chocolate candy
  Cinnamon candies
  Chocolate-covered peanuts
  Fruity Cheerios
  
  For the larger pieces, like the Sweet Moments and large ball truffles, cut them in half before placing them in the brownies.
  
  Easy Directions
  
  These are super simple. Mix up a batch of Betty Crocker brownie mix, and assemble your stuff:
  
  Then it's as easy as 1-2-3:
  
  Add brownie mix to about 1/3 of the muffin tin size. (A 1-1/4" cookie scoop is perfectly sized for this.) Then add your choice of centers -- candy piece, mini marshmallows, cherry, etc. Then add another scoop of brownie mix to cover the center.
  
  Bake at 350 for about 18-20 minutes, and cool completely on a cooling rack.
  
  Decorating Made Easy
  
  Decorate these any way you'd like! We used some white glaze icing (1/4 cup powdered sugar + water to a thin drizzling consistency) and decorated with sprinkles and some extra frosting like this:
  
  Or you could embed a hint to your nibblers -- put the same thing on the outside that you put on the inside! In this case, a mini Oreo cookie bite:
  
  Pretty Packaging
  
  When you're gifting goodies during the holiday season, it’s all about the flavor – and the packaging! A pretty paper plate, cello food bag, and wired ribbon and it's a wrap in about 2 minutes!
  
  Here’s how to make these brownies look as good as they taste:
  
  Cupcake liners. Cupcake liners add color and separate your brownie bites. Pretty on a cookie platter too!
  Packing multiples. Search your craft-store cake decorating aisle for cupcake boxes that hold 4 or more cupcakes. Then slip the brownies, cupcake liners and all, right on in.
  
  Any way you serve or give these, they are sure to be a hit. Surprises are great at the holidays, right?
  
  More Goodies to Share
  
  Giving home-baked goodies for gifts this year? Good choice! Here are a few that'll make your gift basket happy:
  
  Christmas Cookie Pops Recipe
  Vanilla Peppermint Fudge Recipe
  Merry Berry Wreath Cookies Recipe
  Holiday Chocolate Thumbprints Recipe
  Cran-Pistachio Cookies Recipe
  
  Sarah W. Caron (aka scaron) is a food writer, editor and blogger who writes about home cooking and raising a healthy family at Sarah’s Cucina Bella.
  
  What would you want in the center of your brownie bite?