‹ Back
Print this Page

Chocolate Brownies with a Pretzel Crumble

April 25th, 2011

Chocolate Brownies with a Pretzel Crumble and Brown Butter Ice Cream
IMG_4355

Welcome to my first ever give away! I was thinking about how every time I post ice cream, (which I love to make) I get comments on how much people would love to make it, but they don’t have an ice cream maker. Well, here is your chance to have a brand new shiny Cuisinart Ice Cream machine, and it’s on me!!!

They come, literally, in every color of the rainbow, (and white!). To enter to win one
follow the directions:

To enter to win you need to:

1) Leave a comment with the color you would like.

2)”like me” on the Heather Christo Facebook Fan Page

That’s it!! I will pick a winner at random and announce the winner on Saturday morning! Good Luck!!

Here is a recipe that you can make with your brand new ice cream maker: Brown Butter Ice Cream

These brownies were inspired when I was sampling the Brown Butter Ice Cream. There happened to be a bag of pretzels on the counter. I couldn’t help it- I scooped up some of the ice cream with the pretzel. It was phenomenal. A natural combination that could only be made better by one thing: chocolate.

IMG_4384

I used a very rich and chewy brownie recipe adapted from the Browneyedbaker.com. Only, I added a layer of crumbly, salty pretzel crumbs to the brownie to give some contrasting flavor and texture to the dessert. Plop a scoop of brown butter ice cream on top and watch all of your cares melt away…

Chewy Dark Chocolate Brownies with a Pretzel Crumble, serves 20

Pretzel crust
1 stick of butter
4 cups pretzels
½ cup sugar

Chewy Dark Chocolate Brownies
1/3 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder
1 cup, plus 2 Tbs boiling water
2oz unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
4 oz butter, melted
½ cup, plus 2 Tbs vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 egg yolks
2 tsp vanilla
2 ½ cups sugar
1 ¾ cups flour
1 tsp salt

6 oz bittersweet chocolate chunks

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare a 9×13” baking pan with a piece of parchment on the bottom of the pan.

IMG_4301

Spray the whole thing with baking spray.

In a small pan, melt the butter.

IMG_4289

IMG_4291

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the pretzels to a fine crumb.

IMG_4283

IMG_4285

IMG_4286

Put the crumbs into a bowl, and mix the sugar in with the crumbs.

IMG_4288

Add the melted butter and mix well.

IMG_4293

IMG_4300

Press the pretzels into the bottom of the baking dish. Set aside and make the brownie batter.

>IMG_4304

Brownie Batter:

In a small pan, melt the butter.

In a bowl, whisk the boiling water into the coco powder and stir until smooth.

Stir in the chocolate pieces and the melted butter and oil.

IMG_4305

IMG_4306

IMG_4308

>IMG_4310

Combine everything in the bowl of a standing mixer. It will look very separated, but don’t worry!

IMG_4311

Add the eggs/yolks one at a time with the mixer on, and beat until very smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla.

IMG_4312

IMG_4313

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Whisk well to combine.

Add the dry ingredients to the mixer and combine. Add the chocolate pieces.

IMG_4317

IMG_4318

IMG_4319

Pour the batter into the baking dish on top of the pretzels.

IMG_4320

“>IMG_4322

Bake the brownies at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with only a couple crumbs.

IMG_4333

Let the brownies cool and then cut into squares.

Serve upside down (pretzels up) with a scoop of brown butter ice cream!

IMG_4355

IMG_4366

IMG_4384

  1. Lauren says:

    omg this sounds amazing.

    1:40 am on April 25th, 2011
  2. Katrina says:

    These brownies sound wonderful! I love how you added pretzels to them :)

    I would like to have a red ice cream maker. I think my kitchen needs a bit more “umph”!

    2:13 am on April 25th, 2011
  3. Vicki B says:

    What an incredible combination! I’ve read good things about this ice cream maker. White.

    5:36 am on April 25th, 2011
  4. Mikki says:

    oh i’d love it in white! so classic and simple!

    6:40 am on April 25th, 2011
  5. Lindsay says:

    I made your lemons squares with shortbread crust for Easter and everyone LOVED them!! I may have to wait….a day…before I eat anything else chocolate, but I would love some ice cream right about now. These brownies look amazing though! Love the pretzels!

    GREEN!! :)

    8:09 am on April 25th, 2011
  6. Heather at FarmgirlGourmet says:

    These look fab Heather. YUM!

    8:11 am on April 25th, 2011
  7. Marinewife1996 says:

    This looks so yummy! Purple!

    8:14 am on April 25th, 2011
  8. The Soupista Kristin says:

    I’d love the turquoise blue color that you posted the photo on your Heather Christo page on Saturday!

    8:17 am on April 25th, 2011
  9. Catherine says:

    I love using pretzels in things this looks awesome. I have made ice cream in coffee can before but never with a machine. Yellow

    8:19 am on April 25th, 2011
  10. Lauren at Keep It Sweet says:

    I’d love to win a white one! Everything abou tthis dessert looks amazing!

    8:21 am on April 25th, 2011
  11. Megan P says:

    Purple! :)

    8:26 am on April 25th, 2011
  12. Laurie says:

    Cannot wait to try this recipe! Chocolate, salt, a little butter…that may be my favorite recipe yet. :) But when it comes to appliances, I’m boring white, please. :)

    8:26 am on April 25th, 2011
  13. Sharon says:

    This looks so DELICIOUS!! I would love a RED one!

    8:32 am on April 25th, 2011
  14. Karen H says:

    I would love a blue one :) Thanks for the awesome recipe!

    8:48 am on April 25th, 2011
  15. Bethany says:

    White please!

    9:15 am on April 25th, 2011
  16. Louisa says:

    I would make berry ice cream in a second. Orange please.

    9:50 am on April 25th, 2011
  17. Juliette says:

    These two recipes sound mouthwateringly fabulous! I would love to try them. My color choice would be blue :)

    9:50 am on April 25th, 2011
  18. Kristen Keller says:

    I’d love a white one. Love your blog, check it every day for new recipes!

    9:51 am on April 25th, 2011
  19. Mary Beth says:

    I would love a red one. It would go with everything in my kitchen!

    I also follow you on facebook. Thanks!

    9:52 am on April 25th, 2011
  20. Jen says:

    I would love a blue one!

    9:55 am on April 25th, 2011
  21. Jen says:

    I also liked you on facebook :)

    9:56 am on April 25th, 2011
  22. Lawrence L says:

    I would love a red one! I love your recipes and desserts! Very creative and always great.

    10:09 am on April 25th, 2011
  23. danielle says:

    orange please!

    5:13 pm on April 25th, 2011
  24. Nicole Hemphill says:

    Looks so yummy. Can’t wait to try this recipe. The blue one would be a dream.

    10:18 am on April 25th, 2011
  25. Carolyn says:

    These look fantastic, so fudgey and dense. And I wouldn’t mind winning that ice cream maker!

    10:28 am on April 25th, 2011
  26. Reb says:

    That looks so good! I would love a white one… And I like you on facebook!

    11:11 am on April 25th, 2011
  27. rebecca says:

    These look great Heather! white.

    11:13 am on April 25th, 2011
  28. Lindsay D. says:

    oh my gosh this looks amazing. I just made your Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins twice in two weeks!!! My husband and I love them!!!
    I love the color that you posted on your Heather Christo Facebook page.

    11:21 am on April 25th, 2011
  29. Emily says:

    I love BLUE!! :)

    11:29 am on April 25th, 2011
  30. Linda says:

    Red!

    11:33 am on April 25th, 2011
  31. Stephanie says:

    This looks a-mazing!!! The blue color in the picture you posted on facebook is fabulous!

    11:36 am on April 25th, 2011
  32. Amanda says:

    Oh my gosh, what a generous giveaway!! I think I would like… red! :)

    11:37 am on April 25th, 2011
  33. Gaby says:

    I would pretty much give anything to be in your kitchen eating this straight out of the pan with a fork. holy cow this looks amazing (as I drool all over my computer)!! This has got to be my birthday cake this year :)

    11:40 am on April 25th, 2011
  34. Heather Christo says:

    oooh! Gaby! I love the enthusiasm! When is your birthday- I will send you some :)

    11:42 am on April 25th, 2011
  35. Susie F says:

    There is nothing I would love more than to surprise Ryan with homemade ice cream on his birthday (May 12!). White, please!

    11:49 am on April 25th, 2011
  36. Sarah - Recipe Love says:

    I would love a green one!

    12:28 pm on April 25th, 2011
  37. Sarah - Recipe Love says:

    I liked you on FB!

    12:28 pm on April 25th, 2011
  38. Katie says:

    My husbands birthday is coming up… This might be just the thing to celebrate with! Definitely love the red color!

    12:32 pm on April 25th, 2011
  39. Noelley says:

    Black, please! My mouth is watering just looking at these pictures.

    12:43 pm on April 25th, 2011
  40. Kelsey Schreck says:

    Love your site!! Hoped on to get your granola recipe that my sister made this weekend, but now am wanting to try these brownies too :) Any color would be fun to have (black, red, pink).

    12:52 pm on April 25th, 2011
  41. Courtney says:

    you mean the giveaway isn’t a plate of the brownies and some ice cream? :)

    1:07 pm on April 25th, 2011
  42. Julie says:

    I love red and I already like you on Facebook!

    (FYI – Pia’s pb cookies are now a fam & office favorite, and I’ve made them 3 times since you posted it!

    1:13 pm on April 25th, 2011
  43. Heather Christo says:

    yay!! I love to hear things like that! I am working on a new “ultimate” peanut butter cookie recipe…

    1:18 pm on April 25th, 2011
  44. Connie says:

    Your brownies look delicious. I would like white but any color would be appreciated.

    1:29 pm on April 25th, 2011
  45. michele says:

    Those look delish! The green and yellow look so cool and retro! :)

    1:39 pm on April 25th, 2011
  46. Mark Christensen says:

    I love how it looks like you got a really good, moist center on these brownies. Love the crumble idea on top. I just watched someone do this with pretzels on that show Chopped. I think that’s what it was.

    Oooh oooh oooh pick me! Pick me! A red one would go well with my red Cuisinart blender! :)

    1:57 pm on April 25th, 2011
  47. jodi scharnhorst says:

    How fun! I loved the color of the teal one you posted on FB.

    1:58 pm on April 25th, 2011
  48. Peggy says:

    I love the turquoise one on your blog. “Liked” you on Facebook!

    2:04 pm on April 25th, 2011
  49. Lauren says:

    I would love a turquoise one!! Love to make ice cream :)

    2:10 pm on April 25th, 2011
  50. molly Davidson says:

    I can’t wait to make those brownies Heather but darn don’t have ice cream maker:) White or stainless steel are cool. Thanks for the great recipe.

    2:27 pm on April 25th, 2011
  51. Anica says:

    Hmmm… I’d say silver or black if those are options!

    2:57 pm on April 25th, 2011
  52. amanda says:

    hmmm, every color in the rainbow?!!? i am so indecisive. i’d say green right off the top of my head…but what kind of green is it?! spring green, score! forest green, not so much. second choice black to match everything else we have in the kitchen. :) )

    3:11 pm on April 25th, 2011
  53. sparkly jules says:

    I don’t know what colors they come in, but yellow or cobalt blue would be nice.

    I’ve been wanting an ice cream maker for several years. This might be my chance!

    Thanks, Heather

    Julie

    3:16 pm on April 25th, 2011
  54. Heather Christo says:

    lime green!

    3:24 pm on April 25th, 2011
  55. Angela Greene says:

    Thanks for doing a giveaway Heather! What a great idea! My son actually prefers to have ice cream only for his bday party next month, no cake, so it would be fun to make it with him. Turquiose Blue would be fun! Thanks again, Angela

    3:41 pm on April 25th, 2011
  56. jennifer a says:

    Everything on your site is so fun to look at – it’s so well done! And it’s an inspiration. Thank you. Yellow.

    3:51 pm on April 25th, 2011
  57. kesslie hollingshead says:

    This recipe looks amazing, I’d love a white ice cream maker!

    4:10 pm on April 25th, 2011
  58. Sabrina@loulousucre says:

    Yum!!! I think white or stainless, like my kitchen.

    4:41 pm on April 25th, 2011
  59. Sabrina@loulousucre says:

    I liked you on facebook. We are also friends on tasty kitchen. I love your blog. Your pictures are gorgeous!!!

    4:42 pm on April 25th, 2011
  60. Katie C says:

    white :)

    4:44 pm on April 25th, 2011
  61. Katie says:

    oh my, I am not even a huge brownie fan but these look fabulous! I would love the yellow one!

    5:13 pm on April 25th, 2011
  62. carolinaheartstrings says:

    What a great giveaway. Lime green or black please. My daughter has already put her order in for chocolate. yum

    5:49 pm on April 25th, 2011
  63. megan @ whatmegansmaking says:

    These look incredible! And I would choose white if I won :)

    6:50 pm on April 25th, 2011
  64. Dana says:

    Pink!

    6:55 pm on April 25th, 2011
  65. Chris says:

    Blue!

    7:03 pm on April 25th, 2011
  66. ConnieC says:

    What a great looking dessert. I’d love a red ice cream maker.

    7:16 pm on April 25th, 2011
  67. Kelly says:

    The brownies look so incredible! What a great giveaway too. I would want a white one!

    7:27 pm on April 25th, 2011
  68. Marla says:

    Heather – LOVE this giveaway. Can I tell you how amazing this ice cream and brownie sound. The salty pretzel crust with all that sweetness is fabulous. I’ll take white please ;)

    7:49 pm on April 25th, 2011
  69. Carmel says:

    I am not sure if I would rather win your brownies or the ice cream maker. Orange, Turquoise, Purple you choose they all look great.

    8:27 pm on April 25th, 2011
  70. Kate Z says:

    White, cobalt, or stainless! :)

    8:55 pm on April 25th, 2011
  71. Tammy says:

    Chocolate/Salty/Sweet you can’t beat that! I LOVE red!!

    10:41 pm on April 25th, 2011
  72. Goddess says:

    This is such a great job! ICE CREAM and BROWNIES… TOGETHER? come again? yes.. it’s really possible.

    This brownie recipe is far better off than others. You know why? ‘Cause aside from placing 2 yummy-sweets in 1 the procedures even posted pictures to make it more clear and understandable. Great! I’m impressed.

    6:28 am on April 26th, 2011
  73. Ashley says:

    MMmmmm Ice cream – not sure what colors are avail but I would love purple! but id be happy with any funky color

    8:53 am on April 26th, 2011
  74. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says:

    White! And the brownies serve 20? Yeah right!

    9:47 am on April 26th, 2011
  75. Nichol says:

    Yum! I would like it in black if they have it to match my decor, otherwise white

    10:39 am on April 26th, 2011
  76. Becky says:

    Red, it makes me smile! Just like ice cream!

    12:11 pm on April 26th, 2011
  77. Jan says:

    White…my grandkids love ice cream…only appliance I don’t have that we could use together. I have already liked you on facebook, love your blog….for sure..

    2:32 pm on April 26th, 2011
  78. Karen says:

    MMM. I love your ice cream posts! Do they make Pink? I’ve made your nutella ice cream twice already in the old fashioned machine and have had requests again for another batch.

    2:44 pm on April 26th, 2011
  79. Dawn Hewlett says:

    Oh my goodness these brownies are making me drool! I just want you to know I made your easter crack for easter, and it was so delicious! After that success I would literally follow you off a cliff if thats what your recipe called for….ok maybe not…..but I am definately convinced of your brilliance! And any snazzy color ice cream maker you wanna send me is just dandy! It sure would make my three kids happy this summer! Thanks for the easter candy….er I mean crack!

    3:26 pm on April 26th, 2011
  80. Logan says:

    Sounds and looks delicious! …and I’d love a silver ice cream maker :)

    3:32 pm on April 26th, 2011
  81. Janell says:

    I love making fresh peach ice cream in the summertime! Blue please!

    3:32 pm on April 26th, 2011
  82. Val says:

    any color would be appreciated I guess classic white be a fav.

    6:18 pm on April 26th, 2011
  83. Jrojas says:

    Heather, I love LOVE all your recipes! They are Delish! Turqoise! =)

    7:23 pm on April 26th, 2011
  84. Courtney says:

    Oh, blue please!!!

    7:23 pm on April 26th, 2011
  85. Vicki in GA says:

    If I don’t win a red ice cream maker, please UPS brownies! XXOO

    8:16 pm on April 26th, 2011
  86. Nicola B. says:

    I think you took my 2 faves an put them together! I love any thing sweet with Brown Butter!! Any & all recipes you have with Brown Butter, please do tell! Love your pics! Obsessed with your blog. I just found you last saturday and I made your easter popcorn! Delightful and wonderful! Almost put me in a diabetic coma. LOL. Heather, you choose, I have no preference of color.
    Liked :)

    9:17 pm on April 26th, 2011
  87. Kate Avansino says:

    looks absolutely amazing. brown butter is so inspiring. i ADORED the cookies and this already has me drooling!! thank you for being so inspiring!!

    i would love Red !!

    6:36 am on April 27th, 2011
  88. Jennifer says:

    Amazing! You are so talented! Facebook fan already!

    9:44 am on April 27th, 2011
  89. Liz says:

    This looks AMAZING! Can’t wait to try it!

    10:09 am on April 27th, 2011
  90. Shauna says:

    pink or white would be so fun!!!

    10:10 am on April 27th, 2011
  91. Liz says:

    I can’t wait to get your updates now that I “like” you on facebook. And I love the color white. Simple and goes with my kitchen. Pick Me Pick Me :)

    10:13 am on April 27th, 2011
  92. Mary Jo McKenna says:

    This sounds wonderful! It would be great to make some for all my grandkiddos this summer….I like red ice cream makers! Thanks for the opportunity.

    11:50 am on April 27th, 2011
  93. Kris says:

    These brownies look “sin”sational! Is there anything better than dark chocolate with something salty. I can’t wait to try this recipe….thanks for sharing! I would love a white or red icecream maker…..My husband would die and go to heaven if I made ice cream more often!

    12:59 pm on April 27th, 2011
  94. Jennifer S E says:

    I’m not particular – whatever color tickles your fancy.

    BTW, LOVE the new pics on your home page!

    1:34 pm on April 27th, 2011
  95. Joy says:

    Purple!!! It is my favorite color.

    2:50 pm on April 27th, 2011
  96. karen says:

    I’d like one in sunny yellow!

    3:04 pm on April 27th, 2011
  97. Jennifer @ Raisin Questions says:

    When I came across these brownies on Tastespotting, I think I forgot to breathe for a second. The pretzel crumb topping is completely fantastic! And what luck to also stumble across a giveaway. Thanks for being so generous with your creations and gadgets. Why not green?

    4:06 pm on April 27th, 2011
  98. Tessa F says:

    Hot Pink if they have it!!! My ice cream maker just died on me :(

    4:26 pm on April 27th, 2011
  99. Daniela says:

    I would love a red one! Just liked you on FB…

    5:15 pm on April 27th, 2011
  100. Shelly Horton says:

    Silver! I would love to make the ice cream in this post!

    5:36 pm on April 27th, 2011
  101. Maria says:

    These look amazing!! So yummy!
    I would love a bright pink if they have it, otherwise that gorgeous blue color you posted on Facebook is fab! Thank you!

    7:40 pm on April 27th, 2011
  102. Maria says:

    I follow you on Facebook!

    7:42 pm on April 27th, 2011
  103. Laurie says:

    This is great! Thanks for sharing. Green!

    9:35 pm on April 27th, 2011
  104. Stacey Fain says:

    This is so sweet of you! I would LOVE teal!

    7:35 am on April 28th, 2011
  105. RebeccaUtah says:

    Yum! I LOVE ice cream and would love a bright green, yellow or red ice cream maker!

    9:56 am on April 28th, 2011
  106. Marebear says:

    Oooh how fun! A green ice cream maker would be awesome! Thanks!

    9:57 am on April 28th, 2011
  107. Susan Minahan says:

    I have so many ice cream lovers in this famiy. I would love the turqoise!

    11:04 am on April 28th, 2011
  108. Catrina Rantala says:

    I just bought pretzels to make these brownies!! and I would love one in blue, thanks! :)

    11:58 am on April 28th, 2011
  109. Lauren says:

    wont have to twist my arm to try to make these – they look amazing!!
    Turquoise =)

    12:13 pm on April 28th, 2011
  110. Whitney C says:

    These brownies are in my oven as I am typing! Will let everyone know the outcome, I am sure they will be delicious. Lime green please.

    4:01 pm on April 28th, 2011
  111. meghan says:

    yummmm! :)

    turquoise!

    4:54 pm on April 28th, 2011
  112. meghan says:

    YUM!!!

    turquose ;)

    4:55 pm on April 28th, 2011
  113. Jessica the baker says:

    Hmm…I think I would like a red one. Thanks for having this giveaway Heather!

    P.S. Can I still enter if I don’t have facebook?

    7:22 pm on April 28th, 2011
  114. Heather Christo says:

    yes!!

    7:08 am on April 29th, 2011
  115. Linda Nelsen says:

    Would love to make homemade ice cream!! And would love a Cuisinart ice cream maker :) Maybe white or black or grey.

    9:25 am on April 29th, 2011
  116. Megan Pence says:

    Ooo I’d love a purple one!
    What yummy looking brownies!

    9:32 am on April 29th, 2011
  117. Mona says:

    These look yummy! I love recipes with the surprise hint of salty pretzels. I “like” you on Facebook. I would love green (or pink, or blue…:)

    9:58 am on April 29th, 2011
  118. donna mock says:

    I LOVE THE CUISINART ICE CREAM MAKER.

    10:12 am on April 29th, 2011
  119. Caryn says:

    Blue!!

    10:39 am on April 29th, 2011
  120. Wenderly says:

    LOVE this recipe and LOVE that Cuisinart ice cream maker! *swoon*

    And my color choice? White!

    12:59 pm on April 29th, 2011
  121. Shadia says:

    Yum yum yum! A red one to match my stand mixer!

    2:23 pm on April 29th, 2011
  122. Shadia says:

    P.S. I like (love) you on fb!

    2:24 pm on April 29th, 2011
  123. Mary @ Delightful Bitefuls says:

    Oooohhhhh MY! This looks incredibly delicious!!!

    3:24 pm on April 29th, 2011
  124. Salty Sweet Pretzel Treats – Bites From Other Blogs says:

    [...] Chocolate Brownies With A Pretzel Crumble From Heather Christo Cooks [...]

    12:18 pm on September 6th, 2011
  125. Carla says:

    Mmmmmmmm, looks Delicious! I can hardly wait to try them! Any color would be great, but white, black or tan would match my kitchen.

    9:37 am on May 14th, 2012
Name *
Mail *
Website