The Foodista Party Brownie: Let's Make a Brownie Recipe Together

In NYC, there's no shortage of trendy bake shops. There are bakeries that specialize in cupcakes, pie, even macaroons. And, there's a "best-of list" for all of them: The Best Cupcakes in New York, NY's Five Best Pies, and Top Macarons in NYC.

Don't get me wrong, I love a moist cupcake with butter cream frosting, but my absolute favorite dessert is a warm, ooey-gooey chocolatey brownie with vanilla ice cream!

Anyone else with me on this one?

If so, let's stand together, unite our baking forces, and bring back the brownie!

So, here's how it's going to go down: We are going to all start with an even playing field - a store-bought brownie mix. Let's say Duncan Hines (try for the Duncan Hines Family-Style Chewy Fudge). The idea is to come up with the best mix-in or combination of mix-ins. (So, for example: A banana, peanut butter, and toasted almond brownie or a brownie with fresh strawberries, pictured below).

In the comments below, please share with everyone your mix-in ideas, and I'll take the most creative, best sounding ones, try them out, and make them into a "Foodista Party Brownie" that I'll post here.

Here are some ideas I already experimented with:

The Pretzel Pieces Brownie (Note: I liked the contrast of salt and the crunchy texture, but I'd keep the pretzel pieces bigger next time)

The Fresh Strawberry Brownie (Note: Delish with the fresh berries...I'd just add in a whole lot more)

The Herbalicious Brownie (Note: I'd try some different herbs next time...oregano didn't work too well!)

The Speecy-Spicy Brownie (Note: I like the spice component, but I'd keep the chili pieces smaller next time)