Dia de Los Muertos Brownies

Dia de Los Muertos Brownies 

When my girls were younger Dia de Los Muertos was a little more complicated to explain.  I mean try explaining to 3 year old that all life must come to an end, so why not celebrate death as we do life…she wasn’t buying it. 

All she wanted to know is where her family members had gone?

And were we placing decorative skulls on an altar alongside pictures of family she had never met?

It was time to call mami; she’ll know what to do.  And guess what she said? Sugarcoat it.

Make the explanation of the day fun for the kids.  Make it silly, fun and keep the mood light.

Sooner than you realize they will be older, there will be plenty of time in the future to discuss death.

What would the world be like without mothers?  She always knew exactly what to say to make me re-gain my confidence on this path of motherhood.

Sugarcoat it, okay I can do that.  So the next day we made brownies and she laughed as I shared funny stories of my abuelito who had passed when I was only 15.  We made colorful frosting, raided the baking shelf grabbing EVERY container of sprinkles I had.

And we had fun, kept the mood light and sugarcoated the heck out of those brownies.

Now that my girls are older they understand the importance of this Holiday.  And recently they have also had the unfortunate experience to lose a loved one.  Their first.

Two months ago we lost a relative who my girls adored, cherished and in an instance left our lives suddenly.

Today as we slowly began unpacking our mementos for the altar, the mood shifted to sadness.  Their thoughts were with their loved one who would now have their own special place on the family altar.

And I was at a loss for words. 

No matter what I said they would carry this pain with them, with time learn to deal with their loss and in the future began to focus on the happy memories. 

So I decided to use the advice that my mami passed on to me when they were younger, sugarcoat it.

I know there is no true way to sugarcoat death, but why not spend a few hours baking, talking, laughing and raiding the baking shelf even if only to lift their spirits.

So we did.  We laughed, we cried and we remembered.

And we had fun with sprinkles…

These brownies are rich, decadent and brimming with chocolate chips.  Made with Maseca flour for a touch of earthy flavor and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.

And sprinkles.

Sprinkles Sprinkles and more Sprinkles in every color, they add the final touch to this sweet treat.

Edible images of calveras for Dia de Los Muertos  

Enjoy~

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Dia de Los Muertos Brownies

Author: Vianney Rodriguez

Ingredients

• For Brownie:
• 1½ Cups MASECA® Corn Flour
• 1 Cup Butter
• 2 Cups Sugar
• 1 Cup Cocoa Powder
• 1 Cup Chocolate Chips
• 1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 4 Eggs
• 1 Tsp. Baking Powder
• For frosting:
• 1/2 cup of butter 1 stick, room temperature
• 8 oz of Philly cream cheese 1 package, room temperature
• 2 - 3 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300º F (150º C).
2. Melt the butter and add the sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs, and beat them with a whisk. Add the MASECA®, baking powder, cocoa, and once they are well blended, add the chocolate chips. Place the mix in a greased baking pan (8x8) bake for 50 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely; while you make frosting.
3. With an electric mixer, mix the butter and cream cheese together, about 3 minutes on medium speed until very smooth. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
4. Add the vanilla extract and continue to mix. Slowly add the powdered sugar until you reach desired thickness. Tint with your favorite food coloring. Frost brownies when cool and sprinkle with sprinkles.

Recipe Notes

brownie recipe from Maseca