One of Audrey and my favorite shows is Parks and Recreation. (Fitting since we’re from Indiana, where the show takes place!) Two of the characters in the show spend one day every year treating themselves. They treat themselves to mimosas, massages, shopping, cupcakes… If you spend much time on the Internet, you’ve probably encountered their catchphrase: “Treat yo’self.”
Sure sounds like a fun tradition to me, but I say…why does it have to be annual? Why not ‘treat yo’self’ every day?
Like they say, happiness comes down to the little things. Treating yourself to something simple each day – maybe it’s a glass of wine, maybe it’s just one episode (we’ve all been there) of that awesome new show you’ve been watching, maybe it’s skipping the gym today because it was a long day and you just don’t feel like it, dang it! – well, that could add up, don’t you think?
Brown butter is one of those simple things. It tastes sophisticated, but it’s actually really down to earth. Inhaling the aroma of brown butter is like getting a big hug from your mom after a bad day. While she’s wearing her coziest sweater. It’s that comforting. We’re kinda obsessed around here. You might have noticed.
These brownies are packed with brown butter deliciousness x 2. Based on the Momofuku crumb (another obsession), I created a brown butter crumb using graham crackers (for their golden, cinnamon-y crunch) that gets mixed into the batter to disperse the magical brown butter mojo throughout the brownie. And then of course I’ve slathered the top in a brown butter frosting that is pretty much a socially acceptable form of eating brown butter by the spoonful (don’t say you haven’t been tempted).
You know what I’m about to say, right?
It’s Wednesday and you deserve it.
– Molly
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Box brownies made gourmet with brown butter frosting.
Ingredients
Brown Butter Crumb
- 1 sleeve graham crackers, broken into small crumbles (but not crumbs!)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup milk powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons butter, browned
Brown Butter Frosting
- 1 stick butter, browned and refrigerated until solid
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Brownies
- 1 box Ghirardelli double chocolate brownie mix
- 3/4 cup brown butter crumb
Instructions
Brown Butter Crumb
- Combine graham cracker crumble, brown sugar, milk powder, and salt in a medium bowl and mix well with a hand mixer. Pour in brown butter and mix until small clusters begin to form. Spread mixture on a baking sheet lined with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Crumb should be lightly browned when removed from oven. Allow them to cool completely.
Brownies
- Mix and bake according to box instructions.
Brown Butter Frosting
- While the brown butter crumbs are cooling, brown the butter in a small saucepan on the stove. You know it’s ready when it starts to smell nutty and turn brown. When it’s ready, remove from heat and transfer to a small bowl to cool. Let it cool while the brownies are baking. When the brown butter is completely cool, blend re-solidified brown butter with vanilla and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add in heavy cream and beat until combined. Add extra heavy cream as desired to adjust thickness of frosting.
- Frost brownies when they are completely cool, then sprinkle with the brown butter crumb. Enjoy!