While I absolutely love sharing tips, tricks, and advice here on my blog, I don’t do it because I feel like I have all the answers. In fact, one of my favorite parts of the job is getting to learn from my savvy readers! I’ve learned so much over the years from comments, emails, and messages that I’ve received from OGT readers. And that’s exactly how today’s post came about as well! :-)
The tip I’ll be sharing with you today came from my recipe for Instant Pot spareribs, where an OGT reader had left a comment under the mysterious moniker “A.” (Perhaps this person is a high-ranking intelligence operative, similar to M from James Bond?) In that comment, “A” mentioned using a secret ingredient to produce irresistibly delicious brownies. Who can say no to a secret ingredient, especially when brownies are involved? I certainly couldn’t. :-)
Related: Gluten-Free Brownie Bark
The Secret Ingredient For Rich, Moist, And Decadent Brownies
The secret brownie-enhancing ingredient that “A” mentioned in her comment was in fact the very same secret ingredient from the recipe I had posted for crockpot spareribs: baby food prunes!
According to “A,” adding baby food prunes to brownies gives them a depth of flavor that standard brownie mixes can’t match. She also claims that brownies made with prunes stay chewy and fresh longer than traditional brownies. With claims like these, I had to give it a try for myself!
How To Make Brownies With Baby Food Prunes
For my initial test, I used a standard box of brownie mix from the grocery store. I prepared it according to the directions on the box, then I added a 2-ounce container (or 1/4 cup) of baby food prunes. Then I just baked the brownies according to the directions on the box. To put it very simply:
- Prepared brownie batter + 1/4 cup baby food prunes = Moist, rich brownies!
And I have to say, these brownies really exceeded my expectations! I had expected them to be moist due to the added moisture from the fruit, but I was surprised by the deep, rich flavor of these brownies. They were every bit as delicious as “A” has promised, and I know I’ll be making these again very soon!
Other Ways To Use Baby Food Prunes
It isn’t just brownies and spareribs that can benefit from the addition of baby food prunes. Try adding 1/4 cup of prunes to chocolate cake, chocolate cookies, muffins, braised pork, braised cabbage, and even your morning smoothie!
Aside from adding flavor, prunes can also be good for your health too. They are high in dietary fiber, and are a good source of potassium, vitamin K, and iron! So finding ways to sneak prunes into your favorite recipes is sure to make your stomach AND your body very happy. :-)
What’s your favorite “secret ingredient,” and what recipe do you use it in?
When I hit “ saved”, where does the recipe go and how do I access it? Thank you.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I wasn’t sure, so I tried it. It prompted me to make a free account, which I did. Then when I hit “save” on the brownie recipe and scrolled up to the top of the page and hovered over “my account” and clicked on “favorites” it went to a page that currently only had the brownie recipe. You must be logged to “save” an article, which I can now do!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Charlie, Depending on which device you are using, just click the appropriate link below for directions on how to save and access your Favorites.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.OGT Free – How to Save and Access Favorites on Computers
OGT Free – How to Save and Access Your Favorites on iPad and Mobile Phone
We add chocolate chips or nuts sometimes. This is after we’ve put the brownies in the pan. We just use the boxed mix version these days at our house.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks so much Jillee for letting us know about this secret ingredient! Can’t wait to try it out!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Shredded zuchinni either fresh or frozen makes very good brownies also, adding fiber and extra nutrition.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does it have to be store bought baby food prunes? Can you make prune puree from scratch? If so, does anyone have a recipe?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, you can absolutely puree your own prunes. Simply soak dried prunes in hot water, and let soak for an hour or two (long enough for them to plump up). Then transfer the prunes for a food processor or blender to puree :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you. I can always count on you as my “go to” person!
I use melted coconut oil in place of the oil, and an extra handful of chocolate chips to my brownie mix. Yum!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love this idea and a few others in the comments. Like strong coffee and a dash of cayenne. But I can’t resist … I had such a chuckle when I saw the title of this post.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Also, when baking Chicken parts, use GOYA Sazon. Sprinkle generously all over the chicken and under the skin. You will swear this stuff was made for chicken! It can be used in soups and stews also. Great stuff!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.GOYA Sazon is fantastic! I make sure I always have it on hand in my pantry. Use can use it in almost any type of savory dish to add more flavor. Every time a recipe is lacking something, just add a packet of this product, it will fix it up for sure. Should have bought stock in this product, magic in a packet.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use AH-SO Chinese barbecue sauce whenever making anything barbecue, mainly racks of pork spareribs or chicken thighs. You find it in the international section of the supermarket or you can order it online. $5/jar (watch out for scams). It is much better than the traditional bottled sauce. Watch the meat closely so the sauce doesn’t blacken too much. Cook low and slow (always).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I like to add a dash of cayenne pepper to my homemade dark chocolate brownies. There is something about the sweet rich chocolate and the little hot bite of the cayenne. (I’ve used chili powder if I don’t have any cayenne on hand.)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love these kinds of comments because it gets me thinking of what I used to do when I didn’t have other ingredients. I have sub’ed or added mayonnaise and sour cream in cakes to keep them moist longer. I have also used baby food in overnight oats, cakes, and cookies. I believe you can go online and look to see if there are any other recipes out there using the baby food. One of my favorite things is nutmeg in a chicken cream soup, yummy!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nutmeg is great in ANY cream soup…………….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks I just made some creamy chicken soup. I’ll add nutmeg.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hmmm, I’ve done the applesauce-for-oil substitution before, but never tried adding prunes. Sounds like a good idea though, both for the added texture and the health benefits! A friend and I were just talking about my other favorite secret ingredient yesterday – my mom’s meatloaf recipe calls for oatmeal as the filler instead of breadcrumbs, and it has always been my favorite tasting meatloaf. And years ago, there was a recipe I got at a Tupperware party for fudge that used Velveeta cheese, and it was the creamiest fudge you’ve ever tasted — didn’t taste the cheese at all, just delicious smooth chocolate. I’ll have to go look for that and see if I still have it! LOL!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would have never thought of Velveeta – how interesting!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have always added apple sauce regular & flavored since I one time ran out of oil, worked well & now use instead of oil now.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My secret ingredient is garlic powder in my french toast liquids. Gives it a slight savory taste that is delish.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Could the prunes be incorporated into brownies made from scratch, or is it just something for box mix brownies?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t see why not. I just started making scratch brownies from a recipe I found via pinterest and they’re so good and easy. But I always add 1/2 cup or so milk and semi-sweet chocolate chips, regardless box mix or scratch, so not sure how scratch is without that addition..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes I have used pureed prunes for years in brownies, cakes and cookies (replacing some of the oil with the prunes)
They can absolutely be incorporated into homemade brownies!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Add prunes to meatloaf and hamburgers. The flavor is undetectable, but adds fiber and nutrition.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Could you sub applesauce for prunes???
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Actually, you can sub applesauce for eggs and oil in your boxed brownie mix (never tried it from scratch, sorry!) by adding 1/4 cup applesauce for each egg and a straight “measure by measure” for the oil. And I’ve found that adding just a teaspoon of instant coffee (or use cooled coffee for the liquid) in the brownie batter makes the chocolate taste even richer.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I suppose you could, but it wouldn’t be quite the same. Prunes are much more rich and gooey than applesauce. :-) Although applesauce would still make them moist!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.With high cholesterol for reducing fat, I was taught to swap 1/2 the oil for baby food prunes in any chocolate baking and 1/2 the oil for applesauce when baking any other flavor.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.LOVE THIS BLOG!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow, thanks!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Any time a recipe calls for cinnamon, I add an equal amount of black pepper.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love cinnamon, but i’m wondering about the black pepper….what does it add flavor-wise? I’ve not heard of this before, but I do love to use pepper when i cook, so this may be something to try….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Now this has me thinking about flavors I like together w/ chocolate. How about pureed strawberries or oranges instead of prunes?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is so weird that I just have to try it! I also heard you can replace oil, butter or even eggs with applesauce in your baking recipes. Ooh maybe I’ll add the prunes AND replace the oil with applesauce and make the world’s first healthy brownies!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Based on a children’s book called “Thunder Cake”, I decided one day to add a bit of tomato sauce to my brownies. Everyone loved them, but I didn’t tell people what was in them. I haven’t done that in a while. Now I’ll have to try it again and also try the prunes and see which I like better!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How interesting!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My brownie secret(s) is replace the water with coffee (cold not hot) and add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Best brownies you’ll ever have
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I always use strong brewed coffee in place of the water. It enhances the flavor of the chocolate. You can always just add some espresso powder instead.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.sounds really good.
Sounds delicious!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does the 1/4 cup of baby prunes replace any of the oil?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.No! The prunes are added to the recipe – they don’t replace anything :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Are the prunes anything you can taste. One idea I’ve tried once is you can use 1 can of pumpkin in brownies from a mix. You don’t need to add eggs or oil. It was from Hungry Girls website. You can’t even taste it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What size can of pumpkin?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used the regular 15 Oz size. It’s also a weight watchers trick.
I use 1/2 of a 28oz can = 14oz but make sure it’s pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.
Also from WW is adding that can of pumpkin puree to a box of cake mix and make muffins.
But it has to be pumpkin puree not canned pumpkin pie.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve done that before. I forgot to mention that it should be the Pumpkin purée.
No – the brownies don’t taste like prunes, they just taste like rich, chocolate! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My brownie secret is Nutella dropped on top and swirled in….amazing! Or Biscottie dropped in spots on top….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yum!
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