4th of July Star-Shaped Brownies with Candy Melts and Sprinkles Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate Independence Day with these festive 4th of July Brownies! Rich and chocolaty, these brownies are cut into star shapes and decorated with colorful candy melts and sprinkles for a fun and patriotic treat.

Ingredients

• 1 box brownie mix (9×13 size)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup cool coffee
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 ounces blue candy melts
• Red, white, and blue sprinkles

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper or foil.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, eggs, cool coffee, softened butter, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Beat well until fully combined.
3. Step 3: Pour the brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
4. Step 4: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Step 5: Let the brownies cool completely before removing them from the pan.
6. Step 6: Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut the brownies into stars. Smaller stars yield more treats.
7. Step 7: Place a wire cooling rack over a baking tray and set the star-shaped brownies on top.
8. Step 8: Melt the blue candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl by heating in 15-20 second intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
9. Step 9: Drizzle the melted candy over the brownies and immediately sprinkle with red, white, and blue sprinkles.
10. Step 10: Allow the candy coating to set before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute coffee with hot water for a mild chocolate flavor without caffeine.
• Use different colored candy melts or sprinkles to match any occasion.
• For extra richness, swirl in a half cup of chocolate chips before baking.

Storage

Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep the candy coating intact, avoid refrigeration. If refrigerated, allow brownies to come to room temperature before serving. They can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw fully before decorating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade brownies for this recipe?

Absolutely! Any dense, firm brownie recipe will work well. Just ensure they are cool and firm before cutting and decorating.

What can I use if I don’t have blue candy melts?

You can substitute white candy melts and tint them with food coloring or use regular chocolate and add blue sprinkles for a similar festive effect.

4th of July Star-Shaped Brownies with Candy Melts and Sprinkles Recipe

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Celebrate the 4th of July with these festive star-shaped brownies featuring a rich chocolate base enhanced with coffee and cocoa, topped with colorful red, white, and blue candy melts and sprinkles. Perfect for BBQs and patriotic gatherings!

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 star-shaped brownies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Brownie Batter

• 1 box brownie mix (9x13 size)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup cool coffee
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decoration

• 6 ounces blue candy melts
• Red, white, and blue sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
2. Mix Brownie Batter: In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, eggs, cool coffee, softened butter, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Beat the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended and smooth.
3. Pour Batter: Pour the prepared brownie batter evenly into the lined baking dish, spreading to the edges.
4. Bake Brownies: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating that the brownies are done.
5. Cool Brownies: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to remove them, allowing them to set properly.
6. Cut into Stars: Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut the set brownies into star shapes. The exact number of stars will depend on the size of your cutter; smaller cutters will yield more stars.
7. Prepare Cooling Rack: Place a wire cooling rack over a baking tray and arrange the star-shaped brownies on top to catch any drips from decoration.
8. Melt Candy: Place the blue candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 15-20 second increments, stirring after each interval until smooth and fully melted.
9. Decorate Brownies: Drizzle the melted candy melts over the star-shaped brownies, and immediately sprinkle the red, white, and blue sprinkles on top to create a patriotic effect.
10. Set Decorations: Allow the candy melts to fully set at room temperature before serving to avoid smudging and ensure a neat finish.

Notes

• Cool coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without adding moisture.
• Line the baking dish with parchment or foil for easier removal and cleanup.
• Use a star-shaped cookie cutter for festive presentation; smaller cutters produce more brownies.
• Take care not to overbake to keep brownies fudgy and moist.
• The candy melts can be tinted with food coloring if you want to customize colors beyond blue.

Keywords: 4th of July brownies, patriotic brownies, star shaped brownies, chocolate brownies, festive dessert, holiday dessert