The Wins:

Boxed Mix Level-up
Gluten Free Dessert
8 Ingredients

[4 minute read]

There are some days when you just need chocolate. Maybe it’s a little rainy outside and you just want to wrap up in a blanket with a smooth espresso and linger with the droplets awhile. Maybe you’ve just had one tough day and literally chocolate and the sound of no one speaking to you is what you need. Maybe, if you’re like the husband, you just want to have a brownie for breakfast. If so, you need this gooey, fudgey, chocolatey delight. One that perhaps has a little bit of something extra. No, friends, I’m talking about cinnamon.. not that other something extra. *eyeroll*

Get ready to prep this in 5, bake in 30 and eat in an hour. Because this one you have to let cool for just a little bit. Sorry, it’s worth it.

• Aldi Live G Free brownie mix
• 1/2 cup melted butter OR coconut oil for dairy free
• 2 eggs OR flax egg substitutes. I didn’t use those so I can’t vouch for how they’ll turn out. Let me know if you do!
• 2 tablespoons of cold coffee or water
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 container of Simple Mills Vanilla Frosting
• 3 teaspoons of cinnamon, separated into 2tsp, and 1 tsp
• 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

I love Aldi as many of you probably know (if not, check out this post on gluten free pancakes). They have an extensive line of gluten free products and keep adding more all the time. They’ve even gotten into the grain free game, adding the most amazing grain free pretzels and even grain free frozen pizza. Plus, the prices! You can’t beat it.

I’ve used the Live G Free brownie mix before and on it’s own, a pretty solid brownie mix. It definitely saves me the time from curating all of the separate gluten free flours. It does have sugar instead of my usual coconut sugar go-to but hey, when in a rush, you can’t be picky. I will say that without the additional chocolate chips, they’re not quite as fudgey and gooey as we prefer them. If you’re a cake brownie fan then shame on you. Cake is for cake, not brownies.

I kid… Not really…

What puts these over the top is the sweet spicy warm frosting that floats above, creating a cloud of varying textures. The rich fudge of the brownie, the dark chocolate chips, the warmth from the cayenne pepper, the notes of cinnamon. They all just work so well together. You’re doubting me, I can tell. Don’t doubt, just try it.

Preparation

Preheat the oven and, adding 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the mix, prepare brownies according to the box directions. (See, so easy already, right?) Then bake that delicious chocolatey goodness and while you do that…

Open up a container of Simple Mills Vanilla Frosting. Now, c’mon, you know I’m a scratch baker but sometimes (and by that I mean this particular time) you need a can of pre-made frosting. Simple Mills is a great brand – allergen friendly and not filled with a bunch of crap. I think it has like 6 ingredients. It’s awesome. Ok, I digress.

Open up that container and (remove the metal foil lid, people!!!) pop it in the microwave for like, 5 seconds. That’s it. Take a regular ol’ butter knife and stir it up until its all nice a fluffy. Add in the remaining 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and stir, stir, stir until it’s all blended up. If you’re afraid, start with 1/8 tsp of cayenne and add as desired. I promise, the sweetness of the frosting with mask the heat so you’ll be adding more.

Once the brownies are baked and cooled (completely! otherwise your frosting will turn into a melted mess), lavishly slather on that decadent fluff all over the brownies and finish by dusting a bit more cinnamon over the top. If you want. You don’t have to. You could also dust cocoa powder or add sprinkles or more chocolate chips.

Eat and allow no one to talk to you so that you can fully immerse yourself in the experience that is your brownie.