Hot Chocolate-Muskateers Fudge Brownie

I have been so excited for Christmas. I think I've already shared this, but growing up my family never really celebrated Christmas. But after meeting the hubby, I have gotten really into it! And now I think I am more excited about decorating, lighting Christmas candles and making holiday goodies than the hubby. He says, he is just super used to it and says its still "new" for me. I started Christmas shopping early! I got all the presents (even the ones from the hubby to me). Hahaha. I know! You are thinking, I am a weirdo and to that I respond with a --- DUH! I love getting exactly what I want and the hubby loves avoiding shopping at all cost. Call it a win-win. I even stuffed our stockings early! The hubby doesn't know what I got him, so I am excited to see his face tomorrow. I also picked up some goodies for Ninja and his friend Deacon, who we are dog sitting. I thought it would be mean if Deacon did not have a present to open.

We put up our tree the day after Thanksgiving when my sister, her hubby and my cousin were still here. Well my sister and cousin got the hubby and I gifts before they left and stuck it under the tree! Our first Christmas presents :) Now...its grown to quite a stash! One present that I technically did not get for Christmas but like to count it as one, is this book on Food Styling. Remember when I went to Houston to help my cousin? Well as a thank you, her and her husband got me this book. It's awesome. It has tons of tips on the art of styling food which includes all this information on food photography. I am so going to comb through the book and see all the cool ways I can improve For the Love of Dessert :) And maybe, just maybe, 2014 is going to be the year that we get a whole lot fancier ;) I can dream, can't I?

What is Christmas and winter in general without Hot Chocolate. Crazy fact about me: I do not like hot chocolate! ::gasp:: I know! It's weird. Moi, not like something that involves chocolate. But for some reason, I do not like it! Weirder yet, I do not like the drink but I love eating the powder of those hot chocolate packets, like its Ovaltine or Milo. Okay -- admit it -- I am not the only one who does this. Another goodie I found at the grocery store were these hot chocolate 3-Muskateers. Say what?!? I know! True...story...The marshmallow-ey goodness is just a perfect fit for hot chocolate but even a better fit for a fudge brownie. And no, this is no your ordinary fudgey textured brownie...oh no...this is a fudgey brownie TOPPED with FUDGE! Yes, you are right, ultimate score!

HOT CHOCOLATE-MUSKATEERS FUDGE BROWNIE

Adapted from Cookies & Cups

INGREDIENTS

Preheat Oven to 350F Degrees

1 box of fudge brownie mix (family size), baked according to package directions
2 c. chocolate chips
14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
10 oz. bag of mini hot chocolate 3-Muskateers bars, chopped
1/2 c. of mini marshmallows

DIRECTIONS

Line a 7 3/4 x 11 3/4 or 9x13 baking dish with aluminum foil. Grease aluminum foil with butter, shortening or cooking spray. This will help when removing bars from baking dish, allow for cooling, and easier, cleaner cutting into squares.
 
Bake brownies according to package directions (I like a thick layer of brownies, so I get family size, but if you want a thin layer, you can get a regular boxed brownie mix). Allow to cool completely.

While brownie is cooling, in a double broiler, combine chocolate chips and condensed milk. Continue stirring, until chocolate chips are melted. Allow to cool slightly but not thicken.

Then evenly sprinkle half of the chopped Muskateers on top of the cooled brownie.  Pour fudge over the the chopped Muskateers. Using a greased spatula, spread fudge evenly over brownies and chopped Muskateers.

Press the remaining chopped Muskateers into the fudge layer. Place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow fudge to set (overnight is best for cutting into squares, but 1 hour is the best to have the fudgiest fudge brownie...if that makes sense).

That's it! Seriously!

Enjoy,
Chika