I love cooking meals, but baking has never been my thing. I admire people that can bake desserts from scratch and the dessert turns out perfect. I believe people that can bake well are gifted by God to do so. I can admit He did not give me THAT gift. Every time I tried to bake anything, it just never quite turned out right. So why am I sharing a recipe with you for homemade brownies? Well, obviously because it is SUPER easy. Brownies are one of my favorite desserts. Maybe that is why I was persistent about learning how to make them from scratch. I ran across this brownie recipe in a book I had for many years. I often used this recipe to make brownies for my kids elementary school events, before they forbade homemade treats at school. After seeing all the spicy chocolate fudge varieties in different chocolate shops, I had a thought of adding a kick of spicy to this brownie recipe. I tried adding a little cayenne pepper to it and loved it, so I am sharing it with you. The Cayenne pepper puts the BANG in these brownies. If I can learn to bake these brownies with precision, so can YOU. Are you ready to get started? Let’s go!

Ingredients

½ Cup of Butter (1 stick)

3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa

¾ cup of all-purpose flour

2 eggs

½ teaspoon of salt

1 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla

½ teaspoon of baking powder

¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper

1. Melt the butter in a bowl.
2. Add in the cocoa powder and stir until you get this chocolaty soupy looking mixture.
   

   Melted butter and cocoa powder

3. Add in remaining ingredients in the order listed EXCEPT the cayenne pepper. Stir until well mixed.
4. Stir in cayenne pepper to give the brownies a nice hint of warmth.
   

   Add the bang!

5. To make individual brownies, spray 4” ramekins with cooking spray.
6. Fill ramekins halfway with brownie batter.
   

   Filled ramekins

7. Bake on the center rack in the oven at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes or until center of brownie is firm.
   

   Brownies after baking

8. Serve warm for best results.
9. NOTE: Batter will make an 8 x 8 pan of brownies or 5 individual brownies in 4” ramekins.

Tips to plate it fabulously:

1. Remove brownie from ramekin by loosening it around the edges with a butter knife.
2. Flip it onto a serving plate or bowl (preferably a white plate or bowl).
3. Top brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
4. Spoon fudge sauce and/or caramel sauce onto the plate.
5. Add ½ teaspoon of cocoa powder into a small sifter. Sprinkle the cocoa powder on the edge of the plate.
6. Add a few pieces of fresh berries to complete garnish.
   

   Finished presentation

7. Other great garnish options include fresh mint, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, chocolate wafers, etc.

SuperMom Decoded Tip: Wow your family and friends by baking these brownies and giving them a 5-Star presentation. Whatever you do, give it your BEST!