Brownie Roll-Ups

 Ingredients:

Brownie mix (or brownies from scratch)

Frosting (1/2 recipe):
1 1/2 sticks salted butter, room temp.
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
3.5-4 cups powdered sugar (1 lb)
1/4 cup milk
vanilla, to taste


Directions:  Make brownies according to the box and bake.  If you have a favorite brownie recipe feel free to use it.  Once brownies are cooled make the frosting.  Cut brownies into desired sizes.  Lightly roll one brownie between 2 pieces of parchment paper.  Spread with a thin layer of frosting and gently roll together.

The other day that pesky chocolate craving kicked in.  I have been trying to be so good and bam it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I think it was triggered by going to the grocery store.  Since it is getting close to Halloween, companies start to make their food with a Halloween twist.  I saw that little area where they keep the things I used to love as a child.  Ding dongs, hohos, etc...   Nowadays I find them waxy and way too artificial, but when that childhood food lets you down it is time to go search the internet for a better version, in my opinion.  :)

There are quiet a few things I would change the next time I make these.  The brownies should be cake-like.  I love fudgy brownies, but they are not for the roll ups.  The fudginess just makes them stick a little more and that makes them harder to roll.  Last thing you must not do is add unmelted chocolate chips to the batter.  I always add chocolate chips to brownies that I make so I thought what the heck and threw a handful or two in there.  The problem is they leave hot chocolate "pockets" and then when I rolled them out it made things super sticky and extremely difficult to work with.  Never again!  LOL


Once my brownies were cooled and prepped I made my frosting.  I decided to make vanilla buttercream frosting, but I want to try a marshmallow frosting and a coffee frosting.  I did take a little frosting and add Bailey's to it, but it wasn't as magical as I had hoped.  I think coffee would be the real winner.

Line your pan w/ foil for easy removal and a pizza cutter for clean cutting 

These do not taste like the ones in the store, but they are a great variation.  The best thing about the roll ups is that they're customizable .  They are easily themed for holidays (i.e. colored fillings, mint, pumpkin).  I will definitely enjoy making these with Tova when she is older and letting her pick what flavors she wants to do and hopefully make a great childhood memory, but without the waxy taste.  :)

Original recipe: http://cookiesandcups.com/brownie-roll-ups/