Twinkie Brownie Bars Recipe #TwinkieCookbook #MC

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Twinkies. I received samples and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

UPDATED TO SAY:  My recipe was included in the 85th anniversary Twinkie Cookbook – it’s featured on page 61 of the book available on Amazon.com – http://amzn.to/1LshjDp)

Every time I take a bite of a Twinkie I relive memories of simpler times.  You know back when you were a kid and didn’t have a bunch of responsibilities 🙂

I knew Twinkies were ‘old’ but I had no idea that they are coming up on their 85th anniversary!  To celebrate this auspicious occasion Hostess wants you all to create an incredible recipe featuring Twinkies and submit it for their new edition of the Twinkies Cookbook.  They’re looking at them all folks, however you can fix up a Twinkie in a grander recipe with other ingredients – they want to hear about it.  I’m sure a lot of you have some great ideas – but you need to do this quick like if you haven’t already because they are only taking submissions until end of day July 31, 2014.

So I took on the challenge of making a recipe featuring Twinkies.  Something more over the top for dessert than the basic Twinkie (which I still love to eat all on its own by the way!).  My family loves brownies, and this easy recipe is a snap to put together (because you all know that I’m all about easy), but looks and tastes pretty impressive because of the layers.  The caramel adds just enough gooey to it to make it indulgent.

So here is the submission I entered for the New Comeback Edition of The Twinkies Cookbook.

TWINKIE BROWNIE BARS
serves 16 

RECIPE INGREDIENTS
1 18.3 oz box of Fudge Family Size Brownies
2 eggs
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
24 traditional caramels, unwrapped
1 tbsp. milk
9 Twinkies, cut in half length-wise
1 package of instant powdered Hot Chocolate
1 8 oz tub of non-dairy whipped topping, thawed

RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS
1. Bake brownies according to package instructions in a 9×13 inch pan using the eggs/oil/water in the ingredients as indicated on the package.

2. Allow brownies to cool slightly (around 15 to 20 minutes).

3. Place caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.  Stir and pour on top of the brownies and spread.  You will need to work quickly as the caramel will start to solidify.

4. Place the Twinkies 6 across in 3 rows from edge to edge, cream side down on the caramel layer.

You’ll notice there is one leftover Twinkie from the box.  Feel free to eat that one…it’s lonely 😉

5. Mix the hot chocolate packet into the whipped topping.  Spread topping on top of the Twinkie layer.

6. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

So what say you?  What kind of incredible recipe can you make with Twinkies as the main attraction?  If you have a go to recipe that you make or a new idea, head over to www.hostesscakes.com and submit it for the new Twinkies Cookbook.  Maybe both our recipes will get chosen and we can celebrate together…with Twinkies of course!

You can keep up with all things Twinkies with Hostess on Twitter and Facebook.