Stepped Up: Pretzel Crust Brownies

Isn't it funny how you can be making one thing, and at the same time be thinking about what else can be done with it?

I do that all the time.

When I was making the Thanksgiving Pretzel Jell-O Salad, I was thinking about what else can be placed on top of a pretzel crust.

Everyone is trying to step-up the brownie.

Do I feel left out? Of course I do.

I decided to use my grandson as a guinea pig. He has an up-coming open house at his school and needed to supply a bake sale item.

And who does he turn to? Grandma!!

My grandson is 5 years old and is attending Kindergarten this year.

I think it is adorable when you receive a phone call from a grandchild expecting an adult on the other end.

I answered my phone and got, "Hi grandma" in a little tiny voice.

"Thank you for the brownies."

Grandchildren are just the sweetest joy anyone could ever ask for. When Ashton surprises me with phone calls, he just makes my whole entire day shine.

I keep hearing that sweet little voice all day long.

Pretzel crusted brownies.....

The response: "This is the best brownie I have ever eaten."

So, my experiment passed with flying colors.

I had to get a shot of this. The edge of the brownie is my favorite part.

A lot of people go for the middle. Me, I am an edge eater. That is where the chewy-ness is.

I love my brownie recipe. It is so simple, home-made, and puts the box mixes to shame.

This is what I did:

Pretzel Crust:

2 1/2 c. crushed pretzels

3 TBS packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2/3 c. butter, melted

Mix all together and press into a 11 x 7 1/2 baking dish lined with parchment paper.

Brownie Mix:

1/2 c. butter, melted

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

3 TBS chocolate syrup

2 eggs

1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1/3 c. cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. mini semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 c. mini milk chocolate chips (I have used regular size for both)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In large bowl sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl stir together butter and sugar. Ad and stir in vanilla and syrup. Add eggs, one at a time and mix well. Gently fold in flour mixture until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread batter on top of pretzel crust.

Bake 30-35 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan.

Cool brownies on counter 5 minutes. Place brownies, still in pan, into the fridge for 30 minutes to cool. Remove from fridge and finish cooling on counter.

Once completely cooled, lift parchment paper and brownies from pan. Flatten the parchment paper and cut brownies into squares.

Good Luck~Happy Eating~Enjoy