Brownies

January 17, 2022

Mudslide Brownies

These brownies are SO easy and delicious! They are terrific straight from the pan or frost them and add a stunning ganache design.

Recipe Source: I heard of this brownie recipe hack word-of-mouth and had to give it a try. Of course, I added my own twist to enhance the mudslide flavor.

Mudslide Brownies

Box brownie shortcut that results in a flavorful bakery-worthy brownie that tastes like the classic cocktail.

Prep:
25
min
cook:
20
min
total:
45
min
Author:

Anne Voss

Ingredients

Brownies

  • One boxed brownie mix, with oil and eggs according to package instructions
  • Coffee Liqueur
  • 1/2 cup Irish cream baking chips

Frosting

  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ganache

  • 4-ounce semi-sweet chocolate bar, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup (4 ounces) heavy whipping cream
Instructions

Brownies

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Prepare 9 x 13-inch pan by lining entirely with parchment paper. The parchment paper should be slightly higher than the edge of the pan. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the brownies according to the directions on the box, except substitute the water in the recipe with coffee liqueur.
  4. Stir baking chips into the brownie batter.
  5. Pour batter into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
  6. Bake according to package instructions, using a toothpick to test for doneness.
  7. Cool brownies completely before cutting or frosting.

Frosting

  1. Prepare frosting while brownies are cooling.
  2. Beat together butter and cream cheese until combined (~1 minute).
  3. Add powdered sugar and salt. Continue beating for ~4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Add in vanilla and beat until combined.
  5. Top cooled brownies with frosting, spreading evenly.

Ganache

  1. Place chopped chocolate in a medium heat-proof bowl.
  2. Heat the cream in the microwave for short intervals (~20 seconds at a time). The cream should be simmering hot to the touch, but not boiling.
  3. Pour hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit, untouched, for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Gently stir chocolate and cream until combined. If not melting, you can place the mixture back into the microwave for a few seconds at a time. Do not overheat.
  5. Allow ganache to cool for ~15 minutes. It should be thin enough to drizzle and not melt the cream cheese frosting, but not too cold that the ganache is thick. Cool longer if the ganache is too hot. Microwave for a short amount of time if the ganache is too thick.
  6. Drizzle ganache over frosted brownies or make a decorative design.

Makes approximately 20 brownies

This website contains affiliate links to Amazon. This means that I may make a small commission if you purchase a product using these links. This is no way affects my opinion of these products. Links are provided to share products I have used when making this recipe.

Recipe Notes

Below you will find tips and tricks to help achieve the best results possible!

overhead picture of decorated tray of frosted brownies

Ingredients

Brownie Mix – use your favorite store-bought brownie mix. I like the fudge-style brownie mixes.

Coffee Liqueur – use any coffee liqueur you have on hand, such as Kahlúa or Tia Maria.

Baking Chips – Irish cream baking chips enhance the mudslide flavor.

Chocolate Bar for Ganache - if you choose to make the ganache drizzle, use a baking bar such as Baker's, Ghiradelli, or store brand. Chop up the entire 4 ounce bar to use for the ganache.

Cream for Ganache - do not overhead the cream. This will cause the ganache to be broken (which looks curdled instead of smooth) due to the fat in the cream separating. Always heat the cream gradually and a little heat at a time.

Supplies Needed

Mixing bowl or stand mixer

Baking pan – use a 9 x 9 inch pan for thicker brownies or a 9 x 13 inch pan for thinner brownies. The bake time will differ according to your pan size of choice.

Tips and Tricks

Parchment paper is helpful to lift brownies out of the pan when cooled. You can also prepare your pan with nonstick baking spray, such as Baker’s Joy.

It is best to underbake the brownies slightly, therefore you want the toothpick to come out mostly clean but not completely clean.

You can adjust the frosting by adding in more powdered sugar if you prefer your cream cheese frosting a little sweeter.

To achieve the ganache design pictured – drizzle ganache in evenly spaced lines across the frosted brownies. Using a toothpick or tip of a knife, drag through the lines of ganache in a perpendicular direction. You can alternate directions to achieve the marbled look. See diagram below.

diagram on how to make decorative marble design with ganache and frosting

Variations

Irish cream baking chips are getting hard to find. If unavailable, you can use milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips. Add a splash of Irish cream liqueur when making the brownie batter to ensure the mudslide flavor.

Store bought cream cheese frosting can be used if you do not want to make frosting from scratch.

Add a splash of coffee liqueur or espresso powder to the frosting for additional coffee flavor.

These brownies taste great straight out of the pan; frosting and ganache are optional.

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Anna
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April 21, 2022
Can't wait to try these!