Who wants Dark Chocolate Mexican Brownies?

Hey Smidger’s,

Amy (AKA The Lovely Amy according to Tim haha!) here. When we go to a family function, Tim gets asked for gumbo or smoked chicken. I always get asked to bake.

I do not bake much anymore since being diagnosed diabetic the weekend of Tropical Storm Lee in 2011. That was the absolute worst weekend in my life! First I was told not to eat anything with sugar or calcium. Then my dog was extremely sick with diarrhea and vomiting from eating rich cat food and kitty litter. Needless to say, BAD WEEKEND! On top of all this a tropical storm was brewing in the gulf and threatening to making landfall. Tim was at work. Riding out the storm in the gulf of Mexico.

Right them and there I decided no more bake goods in the house! This is one of my weaknesses. I cleaned out the pantry, throwing away anything with sugar or a high carb content. I resolved myself to live on protein and dark green vegetables. Needless to say, I cried myself to sleep the first night.

I have since over come most of this. I learned to deal with actually eating “a serving size” and not a New Orleans size “portion”. I am also a chocolate freak! I insisted no one was taking my CHOCOLATE from me. At one point, I was only eating Dove Dark Chocolates. I had learned that I could have 5 pieces and that was 25 carbs meaning only 5 a piece. Yea I did not have to give up chocolate. So 5 years later I have learned I can eat some things. So I came up with this recipe using a bit of variation on the “box” recipe.

I have just added some good stuff for you to the boxed recipe. The taste is amazing. After you have these you will be hard pressed to have them any other way. Plan brownies will never do again. I know I have tried. What you will need is the following:

1. Box of Pillsbury™ DARK Chocolate Brownie mix. You can use other brands, I just prefer this one. Mix as directed.
2. 1 tsp of Cinnamon (this is good for the metabolism, helps you sleep and keeps your blood sugar even)
3. 1/4 tsp of Cayenne (helps with your blood pressure)

Now I bake mine at 325° for about 25 minutes. I suggest that you use “The Perfect Brownie Pan”. It is awesome and does make a difference in the way the brownie cooks.

I am sorry I do not have a picture. Every time we make these, we forget to take pictures until after we have had a sample. One of these we will get pictures. Keep checking back.

Hope you enjoy your spiced and wonderful warm brownies!!

Happy baking,

Amy