Easiest Ever Brownies

My daughter told me that I'm way behind on my blog. I think she and I are the only ones reading it and we talk often so I haven't worried to much about it. But, for posterity, I wanted to put a recipe on my blog for all the world to see. So here is a recipe for the easiest, fudgiest, richest, most delicious brownies I've ever tasted. The thing is they can be so personal too. Because the ingredients are somewhat already prepared for you, you can choose the flavors you want to use. After you read the recipe I'll give you some ideas for variations; if you can't handle the chocolate...

Fudgy Brownies

1 small box instant chocolate pudding

2 cups cold milk

1 box chocolate cake mix

1 bag chocolate chips

(nuts, coconut, chopped candy bars, caramel, toffee chips – any add-ins you like)

In mixer bowl combine pudding mix and milk, blend 1 minute. Add dry cake mix and when moistened stir in chocolate chips. (Here is where you stir in any extras you want)

Spread into a 9x13 baking pan, which has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes until set. It may still be just a little itty bit jiggly in the center, because you want to watch the edges so they don't get overdone.

These are wonderful right out of the oven, maybe with a scoop of ice cream... but they are also delicious when cooled. They stay very moist and are almost fudge-like. Once they are cooled you can frost them if you wish, but they are quite good just by themselves.

Here are some ideas to change it up a bit...

German Chocolate: Use the chocolate pudding, with a German chocolate cake mix, and milk chocolate chips. Add in some coconut and pecans before baking. And/or use a coconut-pecan frosting on top.

Dark Chocolate: Use the Chocolate Fudge pudding mix, a Dark Chocolate cake mix or something very rich, and use Dark Chocolate Chips. Try using chocolate milk just to go over the edge with it.

Holiday Spice: Use a French Vanilla pudding (or Pumpkin Spice if it's in season), a Spice cake mix and White Chocolate Chips. And perhaps some chopped pecans or walnuts, and maybe even some finely grated carrot for a carrot cake taste. A cream cheese frosting would put these over the top.

Lemon: Use a Lemon or Vanilla pudding, Lemon cake mix, again with the White Chocolate Chips. This should be simple enough, but some powdered sugar sifted on the cooled bars would be extra special.

Black Forrest: Use the chocolate pudding and cake mix and chips as the recipe states, but add in some cherries, maybe maraschino or dried. Or you could just serve the original recipe of brownies with some canned cherry pie filling on top.

Peanut Butter Cup: Follow the recipe above but swirl in some peanut butter before baking and you could even chop some peanut butter cups and add those in at the add in stage with the chocolate chips.

Mocha: Dissolve some instant coffee granules in the milk before mixing.

Like I said...the possibilities are endless!!!