Box Cake Brownies With Fudgy Frosting

BROWNIES: In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients except nuts. Using an electric mixer mix the ingredients well, bout 2 minutes. Batter will be extremely thick. Add nuts and incorporate well with mixer.

Spray a 9 x 13 glass baking pan with vegetable spray. Spoon in batter and pat evenly with hand. Place in middle of oven and bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees F (turning pan half way) or until that brownie "crust" forms and toothpick comes out clean. DO NOT OVERBAKE!

About 4 minutes before brownies are done, start your frosting.

FROSTING: In a heavy bottom sauce pan combine milk, butter and sugar. Over medium heat while stirring constantly cook until it reaches a rolling boil. Remove spoon and boil for a solid 45 seconds. Turn off heat and add chocolate, coconut extract and Frangelico. Stir until chocolate is melted, then stir vigorously for 2 minutes.

As soon as you stop stirring, spread frosting over warm brownies fast. Chocolate will start to set immediately. Cool completely and cut into squares.

cook's notes

I wanted to make some brownies and didn't have any good chocolate so I decided to re-purpose a cake mix. I was happily surprised at the outcome. I tried it with white sugar, but the brown sugar worked better. You can use this with any flavor cake mix. For a white or yellow cake mix use white sugar.

You are only limited by your imagination. Change the type of cake mix and add different nuts, marshmallows, toffee bits, chocolate chips, etc. Have fun with it. This is a great one for the kids as well.