A stout brownie mix nicely layered in a mason jar and presented with a bottle of stout makes a great DIY gift for craft beer fans with a sweet tooth. It is as much fun to prepare on the part of the giver as it is to use on the part of the receiver.
Take a look at this mix for stout brownies with walnuts. How cool would it be to put one together for a friend?
This week I made a few stout brownie mix sets like it for hostess/symbolic Christmas gifts and I just published the beer brownies recipe they are to be used for. (The recipients will have to add butter, eggs and vanilla extract to the stout brownie mix and beer).
The brownies end up with a cakey texture as shown below, but I also include adjustments to the base recipe for fudgy brownies. When measuring out the dry ingredients to layer in the mason jar you can easily make these adjustments.
The instructions on preparing the brownie batter, baking the brownies and (optional) making a chocolate cream cheese frosting can be neatly handwritten onto a piece a paper to be tied on the side of the jar. An extra personal touch to evidence how special the recipient is to you:)
As a general rule of thumb when selecting the ale to partner up with this stout brownie mix go with a well balanced stout without excessive bitterness. This means without too much roasted barley in the grain bill and not aggressively hopped. For example this Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout.
At the same time if you feel like you know the taste preferences of the gift recipient you can customize. Choose a chocolate or vanilla stout if you feel they will fit the bill better. Maybe they are a total hop head and would enjoy extra hoppy bite in their beer brownies? Then choose an imperial stout.
When layering the dry ingredients, go with the flour layer first and pack it down with the back side of a small ladle or a spoon. Next add the cocoa powder, then the sugar and finally the chopped walnuts (or other nuts of your choice, or perhaps chocolate morsels?). Work carefully.
You can get as creative as you like when it comes to decorating the jar and packaging the gift. I like things simple so all I did was cut out an appropriately sized piece of cardboard to use as a base for the beer and the jar with the stout brownie mix, tape each vessel to it and bind them with twine. Then they can easily be inserted inside a clear gift bag or a gift box and presented.
To prepare this DIY gift stout brownie mix you will need:
- wide mouth 1 quart mason jar
- one 12 oz stout (bottle or can)
- ribbons, tags etc. to decorate the set and a small piece of paper to hand write the recipe on. (Or you can simply write out the link to the recipe).
Once again - I recommend that you begin by deciding on a cakey or fudgy texture for the brownies. If cakey, use the base recipe (will add baking powder and use more flour). If fudgy, make the adjustments (no baking powder and less flour). The instructions will also reflect a difference in using one and a half stick of butter (for fudgy brownies). Other than that - it is a breeze!
Stout Brownies with Walnuts Recipe. Cheers!
Amber Harrop
I know someone that would love this gift - what a great idea
Sue Ready
photos are amazing and certainly a homemade packed gift that would be well received
Elise Cohen Ho
This is so neat and different. I think my 22 year old would love if I gave it to him.
Leslie
Mmmmmm. Oatmeal Stout is perfect in brownies, and I can't wait to give this version a try. I might even give a few away...but only if I reaaaaly like the recipient. ☺️ Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Rhonda
I don't know any Stout people, but I should love the brownie idea. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.
Donna
What a great gift idea! I will give this a try for the stout fans on my list! Thank you for sharing this.
Liz @ Books n' Cooks
Love this gift idea! This is happening next Christmas!
CraftBeering
Thanks, Liz!
Georgie | The Home Cook's Kitchen
this is aweseom! love it! DIY food gifts are the best hey!
CraftBeering
So true:)!
Roseann Hampton
I have several friends who would love to receive this as a gift! Thanks for sharing at The Blogger's Pit Stop! Roseann from http://www.thisautoimmunelife.com
CraftBeering
Thank you for stopping by Roseann!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks
It would be totally cool if you would put this gift together for me! Seriously, this is such a great gift idea! I've got some Brekenridge Vanilla Porter on hand that would be amazingly delicious in these brownies! Cheers!
CraftBeering
I bet the Vanilla Porter will be delicious in this recipe! Cheers Rachelle!
Christina
This is seriously the best gift a beer and chocolate loving girl could ask for! Of course, if I gave this as a gift, I would do so with two stouts. One stout for the brownies and one stout for the person to drink while making the brownies 😉
CraftBeering
Yes! I totally see the beauty in your idea! Two stouts sounds even better than one:)
karrie / Tasty Ever After
This is genius!!! I would LOVE to get a gift like this and I know so many people that would LOVE to get it too! When I make them to give away, I'm definitely keeping one for myself 🙂
CraftBeering
Thank you, Karrie:) I think that for you I will create an even better one with a special sour beer, something fruity...Let me think about a befitting recipe...
Jess
PINNED!! YUM! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
CraftBeering
Done! Thank you so much, Jess!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
What a lovely gift idea!! And the presentation is beautiful! I would be one happy lady to receive this....and now I want a brownie....and some stout, but it's a little too early for that just yet, lol. Have a great week, you guys 🙂
CraftBeering
Well, we are in holiday territory... Anything goes:)
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
This is such a perfect gift idea! I'm totally doing this for my neighbors. I just don't think I can get the packaging to look as cute as you did :). Have a great week!
CraftBeering
I am sure you will make the whole set even better looking:)
annie@ciaochowbambina
This is a wonderful idea! I have a number of friends who I know would just love this!!
CraftBeering
Thank you, Annie!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
This is brilliant! I'm going to make this for stocking stuffers (husband will love 🙂
CraftBeering
Thank you:) I bet he would love the gift even more if you make the brownies, lol!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
What a fun idea!! I'm using this for our gift exchange! Thanks you for sharing at the What's for Dinner Party!
CraftBeering
Thank you so much, Helen!