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Appetizers and Snacks

Better Boxed Brownies

Brownies arranged on plate

Everyone loves a good brownie! But…not everyone likes to take the time to make them completely from scratch…myself included. We’d all like to know how to make Better Boxed Brownies! And with a few tricks, it’s easy to take any box of brownie mix to the next level. And the best part is no one will be able to tell.

  1. Use milk instead of water. The milk will help to make the brownies more richer and flavorful. Use can milk, buttermilk, or coconut milk for incredible results.
  2. Use melted butter instead of vegetable oil. Butter meaning real butter…not butter spread or margarine.
  3. Use instant coffee. Adding some instant coffee crystals will help to enhance the chocolate flavor in the brownies.
  4. Add some vanilla. Because why not?!? A splash of vanilla makes everything better.
  5. Use a muffin pan. Making brownies in a muffin pan ensures everyone gets an edge piece. Just use cupcake liners and spray with cooking spray.

Ready for another easy dessert? Try these No-Bake Peanut Butter Cocoa Cookies.

Brownies

Better Boxed Brownies

Take boxed brownie mix to the next level.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box brownie mix (usually between 16 to 17oz packages)
  • 2 TBS milk
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 1 TBS instant coffee
  • 1 TBS vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F and prepare pan by greasing bottom and sides. If making cupcakes, spray cupcake liners with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, eggs, milk, melted butter, coffee crystals, and vanilla. Stir just until moist.
  • Pour into prepared pan and bake according to box directions. For cupcakes, bake at 350F for about 20-25 minutes.
Keyword brownies, dessert
December 24, 2023 by Appetizers and Snacks Cakes and Desserts Cookies and Bars 0

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

No Bake Peanut Butter Cocoa Cookies

These No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies really hit home when it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth and aren’t overly rich to the point that you regret what you’ve done. These cookies require no baking, which means they can be made quickly and with minimal effort. You simply mix the ingredients together, portion them out onto a baking sheet, and let them set in the refrigerator. And the best part is that you probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry right now.

Since they don’t require an oven, No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies are perfect for situations where baking isn’t possible or convenient, such as during hot weather or when you’re short on time.

A few things to remember…

  1. Prep your ingredients ahead of time. Once the mixture begins to boil, things move pretty fast. You don’t want to risk overcooking your mixture and ending up with a dry cookie that crumbles. Take a few minutes before you begin to pre-measure everything so you can work quickly and create a perfect cookie.
  2. If you have a candy thermometer, use it! 230F is the perfect temperature to start your timer. Remember to boil the mixture for one minute. No more, no less.
  3. Remove from heat before adding the peanut butter, vanilla, and oats. You want to aim for a fudge-like texture and the mixture will continue to cook if you don’t remove the pan from heat.
  4. Store in an airtight container. If layering, place a piece of parchment paper between layers. Store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months.

Ready for another easy dessert? Try Better Boxed Brownies.

No Bake Peanut Butter Cocoa Cookies

No Bake Peanut Butter Cocoa Cookies

A no-bake cookie packed with oats, peanut butter, and chocolate.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course christmas cookie, cookies, Dessert
Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 3 cups quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 TBS vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, whisk milk, butter, sugar, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once mixture comes to a boil, set a timer for one minute.
  • Remove from heat and add peanut butter, vanilla, then the oats. Mix well.
  • Place dough by the spoonful on parchment paper or aluminum foil and allow to set for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!
Keyword cookie, dessert
December 21, 2023 by Appetizers and Snacks Cookies and Bars 0

Cuban Sliders

Cuban Sliders Close Up

If you’re looking for a super easy meal that’s also great as a leftover then look no further. These Cuban sliders are it!!

They’re easy to make and can feed a whole crowd. This is also a great recipe if you need to make something ahead of time. Just assemble everything except the sauce and keep refrigerated until you’re ready, then pour over the sauce and bake.

There’s not a whole lot of important things to remember when making these, just make sure you use a very sharp knife when cutting the rolls.

This recipe is slightly adapted from https://houseofyumm.com/cuban-sliders/

Cuban Sliders Close Up

Cuban Sliders

Hot ham and cheese sandwiches with banana peppers and a Dijon mustard spread. Perfect for potlucks or feeding a crowd!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 24 pack Hawaiian sweet rolls
  • 1 lb. sliced ham lunch meat
  • 8 slices swiss cheese
  • ⅓ cup sliced banana peppers
  • 2 TBS minced onion (could use grated, if preferred)
  • ½ c butter, melted
  • 2 TBS Dijon mustard

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325F.
  • Grease a 9×13" baking pan and set aside.
  • Cut the Hawaiian rolls in half by removing the top.
    Slicing King's Hawaiian Rolls with Bread Knife
  • Place the bottom half of the rolls in the pan and layer meat, cheese, then the banana peppers. Replace top half of bread.
  • Combine onion, melted butter, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Pour over the top of sandwiches.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake and additional 10 minutes.
  • Cut into individual sandwiches and enjoy!
    Cuban Sliders Serving Suggestion
Keyword 30-minutes or less, Sandwiches
April 18, 2023 by 30 minutes or less Appetizers and Snacks Soup & Sammiches 0

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About Me

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Hey, there! My name is Sarah Sexton and I come from a large family of great southern cooks. I started helpmewiththedishes.com blog in order to share our favorite recipes with everyone. Around here, we save our bacon grease and would never be caught dead adding pecans to the potato salad. Here you'll find delicious recipes with easy step-by-step instructions that even the most beginner chef can create. So c'mon in and stay awhile!

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