Fudgy Star-spangled Brownies

Looking for a fun, patriotic dessert that’ll be the talk of your summer get-togethers? We’ve all been there – trying to come up with something special for the 4th of July or Memorial Day cookout that isn’t just another flag cake from the grocery store. Between coordinating the grill schedule and keeping the potato salad cool, dessert planning can feel like one more thing on an already full plate.

That’s where these star-spangled brownies come to the rescue: they’re easy to make ahead of time, travel well to any outdoor gathering, and bring just the right amount of red-white-and-blue charm without requiring expert decorating skills.

What Kind of Brownie Mix Should I Use?

The grocery store baking aisle usually has several brownie mix options, and most will work great for this patriotic dessert. Basic fudge brownie mixes tend to give the most reliable results, though you can also use dark chocolate or milk chocolate varieties depending on your taste. If you’re looking at premium brands, Ghirardelli and Betty Crocker both make mixes that bake up with a nice crackly top and fudgy center. Just make sure to pick a mix that’s meant for a 9×13 pan – some smaller boxes are designed for 8×8 pans and won’t give you enough batter. Keep in mind that while “extra chunky” or “turtle” varieties can be tempting, plain mixes work best for this recipe since we’re adding our own toppings.

Options for Substitutions

Need to make some swaps? Here are some helpful substitutions for this patriotic treat:

• Brownie mix: While using a mix is super convenient, you can use your favorite homemade brownie recipe that fits a 9×13 pan. Just add the extra cocoa powder as called for in this recipe.
• Chilled coffee: Don’t drink coffee? Use water or milk instead. The coffee just helps bring out the chocolate flavor, but your brownies will still taste great without it.
• Blue candy melts: If you can’t find blue candy melts, try using white chocolate chips mixed with blue food coloring. Just be sure to use oil-based food coloring, as water-based ones can make chocolate seize up.
• Sprinkles: Any red, white, and blue decorations work here – try star-shaped sprinkles, nonpareils, or even crushed candy canes (red and white) with blue sugar crystals.
• Butter: You can swap the butter with vegetable oil (use about 1/4 cup) or margarine in the same amount. If using oil, make sure to follow the brownie mix instructions for any adjustments.
• Vanilla essence: Out of vanilla? You can skip it or try almond extract (use just 1/4 teaspoon as it’s stronger) or vanilla bean paste.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making these festive brownies is getting the right consistency – using hot coffee instead of chilled can start cooking the eggs prematurely, leading to a grainy texture, while room temperature coffee won’t give you that rich chocolate boost.

When melting the blue candy coating, avoid overheating as it can become thick and lumpy – instead, heat in 30-second intervals at 50% power in the microwave, stirring between each interval until just smooth.

A common mistake is rushing to add the sprinkles – if the candy coating is too hot, they’ll melt and blur, so wait until the coating starts to set but isn’t completely hardened (about 2-3 minutes) before adding your patriotic sprinkles.

For the perfect brownie base, don’t overbake – pull them from the oven when a few moist crumbs still stick to your toothpick test, as they’ll continue cooking slightly while cooling, giving you that perfect fudgy texture.

What to Serve With Brownies?

These patriotic brownies are perfect on their own, but there are some fun ways to make them even more special! A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side creates that classic warm-and-cold combo that everyone loves. If you’re serving these at a party, consider putting out some fresh berries (strawberries and blueberries keep the red-white-blue theme going) and a dollop of whipped cream. For an extra treat, warm up the brownies slightly and drizzle them with some chocolate or caramel sauce – this works especially well if you’re serving them as a plated dessert.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These patriotic brownies stay fresh when kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. I like to place a piece of wax paper between layers to prevent the candy coating from sticking. The sprinkles might soften a bit over time, but they’ll still taste great!

Freeze: Want to make these ahead? You can freeze these brownies for up to 3 months! Just wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. The candy coating might look a bit cloudy after freezing, but the taste will be just as good.

Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen brownies, let them thaw overnight in the fridge or for about 2 hours at room temperature. The slow thaw helps maintain their fudgy texture and keeps the candy coating from getting too messy.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	20-25 minutes
Total Time	35-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1800-2000
• Protein: 20-25 g
• Fat: 90-100 g
• Carbohydrates: 250-270 g

Ingredients

For the brownies:

• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup cold coffee (use strong brewed coffee for more flavor)
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup softened butter
• 1 package brownie mix (I like Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate brownie mix)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the topping:

• red, white, and blue sprinkles (star-shaped sprinkles would be perfect)
• 6 oz blue candy melts

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).

While the oven is heating, line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil.

This will prevent the brownies from sticking and make them easier to remove from the pan later.

Step 2: Make the Brownie Batter

In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, eggs, coffee, melted butter, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract.

Beat the mixture well until everything is thoroughly combined and you have a smooth batter.

Step 3: Bake the Brownies

Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

This ensures the brownies are completely baked through.

Let the brownies cool completely in the pan.

Step 4: Cut Brownies into Star Shapes

Once the brownies have cooled, carefully remove them from the pan.

Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut the sheet of brownies into star shapes.

The number of stars will depend on the size of your cookie cutter.

For more brownie stars, consider using a smaller cutter.

Step 5: Add Candy Coating and Sprinkles

Place a wire cooling rack inside a baking tray, and arrange the star-shaped brownies on top.

Place candy melts into a microwave-safe bowl and heat them in 15-20 second bursts, stirring in between, until they are fully melted and smooth.

Drizzle the melted candy over the brownies and sprinkle your desired toppings immediately to ensure they stick.

Step 6: Set and Serve

Allow the candy melts to set and harden before serving your star-shaped brownies.

Once the candy has set, they are ready to be enjoyed either as a festive treat or a fun dessert!