Really….I needed these around like I needed a hole in my head, but, I couldn’t help it. I have had these little Take Five bars laying around for about a week now…burning a hole in my kitchen apron. Do you know I can only find these little bars at Target, no one else ever carries them. I wonder why?
Anyway, I might have been able to forget about my favorite little bars except yesterday, Leslie reminded me of a recipe Lori made a while back. Darn you Leslie!! Once I saw it, the wheels started turning. Lori had used Dove Caramel Chocolates in her brownies, but I am not a HUGE caramel-gooey fan. I like crunch, especially pretzel crunch with a weensy bit of caramel, peanuts and chocolate. I knew at that moment I had to put the Take Fives in a slab of brownies. Don’t judge me. Lori and Leslie are always tempting me with their mad baking skills, and like yesterday I was weak…and gave in.
Doctoring up cake and brownie mixes has been “big” for a while now. It’s a great way to make something delicious and interesting in a very short period of time. This comes in handy for those of us who don’t always have time to create everything from scratch.
It’s easy to just pop these little bars right into the batter. Of course I used my Magic Pan for a “no edge” brownie. I love that pan!!
I always line my brownie pans and all bar cookies with foil or parchment before pouring the batter inside. It makes it easy to lift them out once they’ve cooled. I also always refrigerate my brownies/bars before cutting them, they slice so much nicer that way.
Take Five Candy Bar Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 Boxed Bownie Mix for a 9 x 13 pan
- 16 Take Five Mini Candy Bars (one bag only has 15...I know)
Directions
- Follow directions according to your package brownie mix. I line my brownie pan with foil or parchment, spraying cooking spray under and on top of the foil or parchment.
- Pour enough brownie batter on the bottom of the pan just to cover the bottom. Place Take Five Bars in four rows of four across pan. Cover with remaining brownie batter. Bake according to package directions.
- Cool completely in pan and refrigerate. Slice when ready to serve.
Yum, look at that crunchy middle…swoon!
One Year Ago: Banana-Almond Butter-Coconut Snack
Four Years Ago: Blueberry Coffee Cake
Barbie with a T says
Again, I cannot eat chocolate, but if I could, I would devour those before they even had time to cool. They do look good and I bet every kid I know would love ’em. Simple ingredients….fantastic brownies!
Cathy says
Poor Barbie…can you dream about chocolate?
Megan O'Day says
It is one thing to use candy bars in a recipe, but it is inexcusable for a “Handcrafted, limited production wines from the Willamette Valley of Oregon. And food, glorious food!” to post a recipe using a boxed mix.
Cathy says
Very good point, SAID NO ONE EVER. Ha-ha. I think it’s time to step down off-your baking high horse and join the rest of us mom’s, wives, and VERY BUSY successful business people in the kitchen. It’s not all perfection all the time. And trust me, we embrace that and we are confident enough to keep it real.
Sara in NY says
Well said Cathy! Give me a break.
Kim in MD says
Agreed! You go, Cathy! đŸ™‚
Megan says
Cathy,
I’m a busy mom is not a good excuse. All mom’s are busy. Brownies from scratch have 6 ingredients in them and in boxed brownies you have to add 3 of them. It couldn’t take more then a few minutes to put flour, sugar and chocolate in a bowl. Not only is the simplest thing to make, but it also eliminates the 25 extra ingredients (if you can call them that) that nobody needs to eat.
Cathy says
Megan, if you have been through my site at all, I make lots of recipes from scratch, this post obviously dealt with an audience that does not include you. I appreciate your input.
Sheila Estancia says
I can’t wait to make these…oh wait I need to go grind my own flour first because god forbid I do not make them in purist form. Some people…really. I’ll let you know how it goes after I harvest my garden…make cream…sew the kids clothes.
Kat says
I bake lots of things from scratch, too, including bread and cakes, but I actually PREFER brownies from a mix. I can never get mine to have the exact right chewy flavor and texture that I can get from a box. That might be silly, but I don’t really care. Also, sometimes you want convenience, or are really awfully busy, and doctoring up the box mix is just fine! Finally, if you’re such a snob about it, I’m sure you HAVE a homemade brownie recipe. Just use that instead! Problem solved đŸ™‚
chris says
omg, u r killing me! gonna have to try this
Cathy says
Enjoy it Chris.
jeri says
Why are you doing this to me? I have a Target so close, I can see it out my window. Couldn’t you just post a recipe for some nice harmless deep fried lard? I’m pretty sure I’ll be making this this weekend; why not, it’s a holiday. I have all winter to get back into a bathing suit. ??Thank you?? Seriously, this is out of the box and I can’t wait to try it.
Cathy says
You will love it. Simple and easy, as your weekend should be.
j3nn says
I love that you put the mini bars in whole and didn’t cut them in pieces. I want a WHOLE piece, not a nibble! Take Five bars are perfect for all of my cravings: Salty, sweet, crunchy, etc. These brownies are winners for sure. đŸ™‚
Cindy says
I can’t WAIT until we get a Target in Calgary.
Yep, what is UP with high horse people. lol What a fun recipe!
These are looking just too good. I’m full after a big supper,
but there is always that sweet temptation to deal with. :o)
(mollyjulie)
Lonnette says
These look delicious! I need these like a need a HOLE in my head too!
Cathy says
Ha-ha!!
leslie says
Ahhhhhh, Thanks for the love Cathy!!! I bet these are AMAZING with the Take 5 Bars!!!
Cathy says
Thanks again for the inspiration!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
These look crazy delicious!
Cathy says
Yep…they were.
natalie@thesweetslife says
oh my gosh–that photo!! insane!
Shrazzi @ Getting Fresh in the Kitchen says
I would never eat these… really. Omg, they look so good! And so easy to make! Willpower… !!!
katie says
Yes, please! What a brilliant idea to put candy bars inside brownies!
Marilyn the nurse says
these look wonderful, and so easy — just what I need right now for the grandchildren, thank you Cathy!!!!!!!!!!!! We all have to have an easy day once and awhile!! You go girl!!!
KC says
Okay, I laughed out loud at the ones that said they would not used boxed brownie mix…yet they would include the store-bought candy bars. I am a chef, mother of four and host over 20+ young adults for home cooked meals every other weekend at our home. It is all personal choice. This site is a FREE GIFT to all of us. Thank you Cathy for your time and inspiration. AND sorry for those that don’t realize you are a blessing! đŸ™‚
DaphneSFL says
I can’t stand how good these look and can’t wait to make them! And Megan “IDontEatBrowniesFromABoxMix? Give me a break, lady. Cathy is an amazing cook and I have loved dozens of her recipes. I can’t even believe someone had the audacity to even say something snotty like that.
Shannon says
OMG, those look delicious! You’re evil! đŸ˜‰
I’m going to have to try that…
Mindy says
These look WONDERFUL! ! ! Wonder if you can use snickers instead of Take Five candy bars?
Cathy says
Why not!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Cathy I came across this via Pinterest and you truly outdid yourself on these. They look amazing and so fudgy and rich and…perfect!
Lisa says
Here I go, I am going to the Target by my house when they open and I am making these for my daughter who turned 20 on the 9th, these are her favorite candy bar. I will let you know how they turn out!