See, it's been crazy busy around here. We were out of town, it was Rosh Hashana, I did some baking for the baking gals, and there was still all the regular, everyday stuff going on.
So, when I made brownie bites (Ghiradelli mix that I doctor up with espresso powder and vanilla), there was some batter that didn't fit in the mini cupcake pan. Just enough batter for a 4" round pan. And there was that dulce de leche in my fridge. It's just another way of saying caramel, right?
I cheated. That's all there is to it. I used the leftover batter. I stirred some honey roasted peanuts into the melted dulce de leche. I poured the mix over the top. And we ate every last little bite.
It was delicious. I'm sure it would have been even better had I made it from scratch. Which I will. I promise. The very next time we have friends over and I need a dessert, it's on the top of my list.
Mmmm. Rich caramel. Salty sweet peanuts. Chewy brownie. Mmmmm.
Up next week: Lenox Almond Biscotti chosen by Gretchen of Canela & Comino. I KNOW I'm baking that one, well, because I already have.
Sounds like you took the idea and ran with what you had - nothing wrong with that! Lives can be too busy at times.
ReplyDeleteOhhh, that sounds yummy! I LOVE using up what I have especially if I can use of little bits of things I have around. Happy TWD :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to cheat next time. My caramel was the pits. I love finding things in my pantry to use.
ReplyDeleteVery funny! Yours looks very good. I have news for you. I'm sure it tasted a lot better than mine. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's okay to cheat. Specifically when you are crazy busy! It still looks awesome and I wish you a belated Shana Tova!
ReplyDeleteHeh, that's awesome. What a great way to use up extra ingredients.
ReplyDeleteOh, if you hadn't told us, I never would have known that you . . . fudged this a little! It looks perfect, and I think you're a champ for showing up at all this week with as busy as you've been! Your cake looks perfect!!
ReplyDeletebahaha! You cheated!!! Oh well! Next time! I am sure it was delicious!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great!
ReplyDeleteI would never diss dulce de leche. Yum! I'd say there's nothing wrong with being Dorie inspired ;)
ReplyDeleteClara @ iheartfood4thought
Your cake looks so delicious! I don't think there is anything wrong with cheating at all - sometimes it can be a lifesaver. :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! You cheat and I "break" the rules! The nice thing about your caramel is you didn't have to contend with it burning like many others' I've read!
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of the ghirardelli mix too. Even though we are all fancy TWD-types, a mix is good every once in a while! Mary
ReplyDeleteOK, so I don't like peanuts much, but honey-roasted peanuts, I do like! That looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea that you cheated!! Good for you!! Looks fab! I ducked out this week and am looking forweard to the biscotti!!
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you enjoyed it Jules!
ReplyDeleteScratch or mix--it doesn't matter! What matters is that you came up with some damn good brownies!
ReplyDeleteSounds great to me! It's all about inspiration, right? And happy new year to you!
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious! We all know that brownies made from a mix are one of the most delicious foods on earth... no matter how devoted you are to baking-from-scratch, you have to admit it. And with honey-roasted peanuts, double yum! Hope your week slows down soon. :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice indeed!
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, the mix was probably better than the real cake!! They look so beautiful!!! I loved the cupcakes as well!
ReplyDeleteI like your resourcefulness
ReplyDelete...nothing goes to waste! In a pinch, that Ghiradelli brownie mix is a great stand-in for homemade.
That's not cheating-that's being creative! Sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteit still looks delicious!! sometimes you just need to cut yourself some slack ;) glad you enjoyed the result! i have heard good things about that ghiradelli mix, i will have to try it!
ReplyDeleteHa what a great fix! Way to get creative. And considering the luck (or lack there of) I had with the caramel, you were probably better off this way!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I bet yours tasted better than mine did! Your mini brownie cake looks delicious and has me wanting to try to figure out my own recipe for this dessert, which does sounds so wonderful! See you next week with the biscotti :)
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious - good for you for being able to create a quick alternative.
ReplyDeleteYou picked the right week to "cheat," I think! The brownie cake was kind of disappointing, for me. The caramel was great -- but so is dulche de leche and it's a heck of a lot easier! Great idea for an easy dessert!
ReplyDeleteWell, your cheat sure does look tasty!!
ReplyDeletewouldn't have known if you didn't tell on yourself :P i hate to say it but the ghiradelli mix was probably 100x better than the cake recipe.
ReplyDeleteYour "cheats" sound delicious!
ReplyDeleteClever Girl!!! Great time management and resourceful as well. Never let sweets go to waste, right?
ReplyDeleteLooks great.
Enjoy those kids. They grow up in the blink of an eye. Then there will be just you eating all those treats. he he
AmyRuth
Thanks for visiting my blog. Great way to improvise! I like it!
ReplyDeleteI was under the weather last week so didn't do the TWD challenge BUT I was totally going to use Dulce de Leche as well. I thought that was brilliant and why the heck not?
ReplyDeleteGood for you!!!
Lisa
How cute your mini is! And it looks *just* like the recipe. We liked this cake, so I'd keep it on your list, but others were not so thrilled I guess.
ReplyDeleteNancy