4th of July Star-Shaped Brownies with Candy Melts and Sprinkles Recipe
Celebrate the 4th of July with these festive star-shaped brownies, topped with melted candy melts and patriotic red, white, and blue sprinkles. These simple brownies are made from a boxed mix enhanced with cocoa powder and coffee for extra depth, then cut into fun shapes and decorated, making them a perfect treat for kids and adults alike during summer gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 brownies (number can vary based on star cutter size)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 1 box brownie mix (9×13 size)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup cool coffee
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decoration
- 6 ounces blue candy melts
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy removal of the brownies.
- Mix Batter: In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, eggs, cool coffee, softened butter, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Beat well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and the batter is smooth.
- Pour Batter: Pour the prepared brownie batter evenly into the lined baking dish, spreading it out with a spatula to cover the tray.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a tester; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached when the brownies are done.
- Cool Brownies: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan before attempting to remove or cut them.
- Cut Into Stars: Once cooled, lift the brownie sheet out using the parchment or foil and place on a cutting board. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out star shapes. The number of stars depends on the size of your cutter; smaller cutters will yield more brownies.
- Prepare Candy Melts: Place the blue candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short 15-20 second intervals, stirring between each, until the candy melts are completely melted and smooth.
- Decorate Brownies: Place a wire cooling rack over a baking tray and arrange the star-shaped brownies on top. Drizzle the melted candy melts over each brownie star and immediately sprinkle with red, white, and blue sprinkles for a festive finish.
- Set Candy Coating: Allow the candy melts to fully set at room temperature before serving to ensure the topping is firm.
Notes
- Using coffee in the batter enhances the chocolate flavor for a richer brownie taste.
- Make sure brownies are completely cool before cutting and decorating to prevent melting or breaking.
- Star-shaped cookie cutters vary in size; smaller cutters allow for more servings.
- If blue candy melts are unavailable, substitute with white candy melts colored with food-safe blue coloring.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for best freshness.
