Alright. I admit it. I do, on occasion use a boxed baking mix! It’s okay. I’ll give you a minute to get over the shock of it all. 🙂 The truth is, while I prefer to make most of my family’s meals, snacks and desserts “from scratch”, I am still a busy mom who sometimes just can’t do it all. I am no super hero. Sometimes my kiddos just want a dessert after dinner or sometimes I have a huge craving for chocolate or something ooey- gooey and well, I just don’t feel like throwing on my apron and baking up a storm. However, there are great tasting in- the-box mixes out there and us mom’s shouldn’t be afraid to use them once in a while. We can always add to them to make them extra special though!
These 5 Minute Trail Mix Brownies are pretty darn good! I use my favorite basic brownie mix, prepare it as usual, and then add in semi sweet chocolate chips, roughly chopped walnuts, dried cranberries and then top them with M&M’s for a delicious, fudgy, quick and easy dessert that your whole family will love.
It literally takes 5 minutes to prepare these, and then of course you have to bake them. After the brownies cool, I like to use my metal cookie or biscuit cutters to cut them into fun shapes. My children really like that and it only takes but a few seconds really. It’s funny, because that’s what they are always so excited about when I say I am making a batch of these. The cutter cuts right through the nuts and chocolate and makes them look very pretty too! The scraps…well, those are perfect for nibbling on or even on top of an ice cream sundae. I actually feel a little guilty talking about all this chocolatey goodness, but that’s okay too. It’s the weekend and I guess I will burn off those extra calories while working in the garden!
If you’re short on time or have a last minute “Mom, I need to bring a treat to school” baking emergency, give these tasty, chewy brownies a try! They’re really yummy!
Ingredients
- 1 box of your favorite brownie mix, prepared as usual
- 1 cup roughly chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup regular M&M's
Instructions
- Preheat your oven, per the brownie mix instructions.
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the brownie mix as usual until smooth.
- Add the chocolate chips, the walnuts and the cranberries.
- Mix well.
- Pour the batter into an 9 x 13 lined baking pan sprayed very lightly with non stick cooking spray.
- Sprinkle the M&M's on top evenly.
- Bake per the box instructions for that size.
- Remove from the oven, let cool completely. *If I am in a hurry, I sometimes place them in the refrigerator.
- Cut into squares or use a metal cookie cutter for fun shapes.
- Enjoy!
*Linking up at: Shaken Together Life,Cooking with Curls,Simply Gloria,3 Little Greenwoods,Feeding Big,Kathe with an E,Pint Sized Baker,Inside BruCrew Life,Mom’s Test Kitchen ,Buns In My Oven,Cherished Bliss,Sweet Bella Roos,Living Well Spending Less, Miz Helen’s Country Cottage
I really love the addition of the yummy goodies to the brownies! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday this week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Miz Helen recently posted…Strawberry Cream Cake
whoa these look amazing!!!!! I must try! Thanks for sharing and found you on Full Plate Thursday
karen recently posted…New Experiences and Challenges
Thanks so much Karen! Quick, Easy & Chocolate- sounds good to me every time!;)
This looks so yummy and quick to make! I’d love for you to link it up to my Feature Friday Link Party 🙂
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/2014/06/feature-friday-linky-party.html
Danielle @ Blissful & Domestic
http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com
Danielle recently posted…Feature Friday Linky Party
Shannon, I love how you created this from a box mix and made it so yummy-licious with all the good stuff!
Gloria @ Simply Gloria recently posted…$400 Amazon Gift Card {Giveaway}
Thanks Gloria! I really felt like I was cheating, but I guess sometimes you have to take a short cut in the kitchen. Especially when someone has a craving for chocolate!
Hi Shannon! There is nothing better than a delicious brownie and these look so good! Love that used dried cranberries – they are one of my favorite things! Thanks for sharing at Best of the Weekend and pinned! Hope you have a happy Sunday and a wonderful week!
Cindy Eikenberg recently posted…Summer Kickoff Grill Giveaway and BBQ Party!
Thanks Cindy! Have a great week:)
G’day from Oz. Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe. I’m pinning it right now!
If you have a minute to spare I’d be thrilled if you could share this at my weekly Say G’day Saturday link up. It’s on right now and this would be a perfect addition!
Best wishes,
Natasha in Oz.
Thank You Natasha!