Spicy Aztec Brownies are from my friend Camilla Saulsbury's book, Brownie Mix Bliss.
Spicy Aztec Brownies
1½ tablespoons instant espresso or instant coffee powder**
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
¼ cup water
1 (19.5- to 19.8-ounce) package brownie mix
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 recipe Cinnamon Glaze (see below)
Preheat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark-coated metal pan). Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Spray the bottom only of an 8-inch-square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray (or foil-line pan).
Dissolve the espresso powder in the vanilla in a small cup. Combine the brownie mix, melted butter, water, vanilla-espresso mixture, eggs, and cayenne pepper in a medium mixing bowl with a wooden spoon until just blended and all dry ingredients are moistened; stir in chopped chocolate. Spread batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 40–44 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean (do not overbake). Transfer to a wire rack.
Prepare Cinnamon Glaze; spread over warm brownies. Cool completely. Cut into squares.
Makes 9 large or 16 small brownies.
Cinnamon Glaze
1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2–3 teaspoons milk
Whisk the powdered sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter in a small bowl until smooth. Add just enough milk, a teaspoon at a time, to make glaze a thin spreading consistency.
**For the coffee powder, I used instant espresso. However, I did not use a full 1 ½ tablespoons since instant espresso always seems a little stronger. I used 1 teaspoon. You may also use up to 1 ½ tablespoons instant coffee crystals -- Anna
Shannon says
I like the actual brownies but the glaze was awful. I followed it to the letter and got mush. Had to resort to my fall back glaze recipe of equal parts of powdered sugar and karo syrup with whatever flavor I want and clear vanilla extract. I added glycerin and food coloring to make it look better. Turned out pretty well after that.
Gloria says
I just used Ghirardelli dark and regular mixed together in a 9x13 pan. First brownies to be sold out of at a charity bake sale last week. My secret, well no longer a secret!!, is to add about 1/8 of a teaspoon salt per box of brownie mix to the dry mix and one Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder. Plus the usual nuts and chocolate chip fixins'. These changes make them taste more homemade to me. Most people like boxed brownies because they are used to them. They don't have scratch brownies to compare to. Just my unsolicited 25 cents!
Anna says
I like Betty Crocker and Pillsbury, but I know a lot of people swear by Ghirardelli.
Sue says
I have a question about brownie mixes. Do you have a favorite brand, or is there an equivalent recipe that you can sub for a box? That sort of defeats the idea behind the book, but I don't know much about brownie mixes. I did receive a free brownie mix from King Arthur Flour one time, and it was so good I was almost convinced to stop making my own.
Carrie says
anna,
if you don't have instant coffee powder, can you use regular coffee that you make and cool? these look great. thanks!
carrie
sherri says
I love the look of this brownie. Sounds yummy too.
Katrina says
Great tip about glazes and icing. I often don't have an actual recipe when I make frosting, I just add until I like it. Then I have a hard time when people ask about the recipe and I just tell them "a little of this and a little of that".
I already left my comment on the giveaway post, but another shortcut I love is if you need room temperature eggs in a hurry, sit them (in the shell) in hot water for about 5 minutes while you are creaming butter and sugar and they'll be perfect temp. I do it almost every time I bake. This was also a tip from a chef and I was happy to hear they do it, too!
Chaya says
I love the idea of the cinnamon glaze. Cinnamon is like a magic ingredient.
Amanda says
Wow those look fabulous! I'm adding these to my bookmarks, so so so many bookmarks! LOL
VeggieGirl says
LOVE the icing on top!