Strawberry/Brownie Kabobs

After getting a few replies about some “treats” I made … I thought I’d share them in this blog.

HISTORY:  Discovered around February 2010 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

RECIPE:     Variable (according to one’s own preference usually)

ITEMS:       WASHED/CUT strawberries, 1 box of brownie mix (prepared as directed on package), some Baker’s Milk Chocolate, Baker’s White Chocolate, kabob skewers, mini muffin pan (can be found at Walmart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wilton-Bake-It-Better-24-Cavity-Mini-Muffin-Pan/32802018#)

[This is the EXACT pan I own. Mini-Muffin Pan for brownies. Photo is from Walmart's website]

YIELD:       Varies

It was in about 2010 that I tried these. They were being sold by the “Kabob Shack” at the racetrack. I believe the first time I tried these, they only had the strawberry/banana ones. Of course, I am not that wild about bananas. And, to be honest … I don’t know WHEN they started the strawberry/brownie ones.

Anyway …

In 2014, we were able to bring home some strawberry/brownie kabobs. And, I got this picture:

[Strawberry/brownie kabobs from the Kabob Shack; LVMS -- 2014]

This year (2015), while we want to have fun at the race, we decided that paying $6 for three (3) strawberries and two (2) brownies was a bit outrageous. And, also it was getting them home safe that was a concern. Then there was the fact that they didn’t wash (or cut) the strawberries. Having a few new health issues – I didn’t want to chance it.

What to do? Make our own.

Even in 2010, I scoured the internet for recipes. But, never got around to doing them. This year though? I decided to do them. Here’s the fun part: there is really no wrong way to do them. One-sided drizzling or two-sided. Placement of items? Totally up to one’s own preference.

We tried some strawberry/banana ones, but unless you immediately eat them … the bananas get a bit mushy and yucky. The brownies? They’re pretty solid.

The first few batches I had to “cut” the brownies into squares and I wasn’t able to use the entire brownie. Though the remainder did make one yummy brownie sundae treat (warmed it up, put some Blue Bell Homemade vanilla over it, and drizzled with Hershey’s … though I might try the Baker’s chocolate next time). 

[Baker's White Chocolate. You can melt this in a microwave safe container, use, refrigerator, re-use]

[Baker's Milk Chocolate. This microwave safe container is designed for use, refrigerator, and re-use. I got roughly 10 kabobs out of this container]

Even using only half of the brownie for the kabobs … I was still saving $3-$4 per kabob. That adds up (especially when you love these things). And, with summer coming up – what a great idea.

I decided to try a mini muffin pan for the brownies. And it worked. Though, yes … you have to use butter, shortening, or cooking spray with it so you can pop them out (or as I did … gently unscrew them out). And, the results? Not quite bad:

[Just before they went into the refrigerator. Roughly three (3) mini brownie muffins and three strawberries per skewer]

The chocolate is easy to do (so long as you follow the directions). I didn’t using a “piping bag” or anything fancy … I used a regular table spoon (the smaller one). And, the last batch? I shook the spoon over the kabobs to change up the drizzle effect.

Oh, and it’s best to use wax paper to assemble them on (make sure to also put them on a cookie sheet for easy transfer to the fridge). That way the residue chocolate? After it’s cooled you can pick it off and enjoy it:

[Interesting shaped residue -- still tasty]

I’ve been known to use the tip of the skewer to scrape off the residue.

So ...

There you have it. And, you can make as many as you like – however you like.

Here’s a hint: bake the brownies the night before. I’ve even put them in the refrigerator to cool (covered) to harden so they don’t fall apart when going on the skewers.

Last batch? I put the muffins in a Ziploc bag on the counter.

Now, if y’all will excuse me … one of these treats has my name on it …

[My well deserved treat. Was an odd one anyway]