Checkered Flag Brownies

This is a sponsored post by Challenge Butter, but the text and opinions are all mine. Thank you for supporting brands that make Kylee's Kitchen possible!

This year will be my second time attending the Indy 500 with FOX59 and CBS4. Personally, I'm not a big racing fan, but the Indy 500 really is something special! I love all of the traditions, and the American pride, and the feeling and sounds when the cars start their engines.

This year is the 100th running of the race, so it's extra special! And it also happens to be my aunt's 50th birthday, so my family from Arizona is visiting for the big race -- so many exciting things! That being said, I wanted to make an extra special treat to celebrate the occasion! (In case you were wondering, "special" is clearly the word of the day because evidently I can't think of another adjective.)

After thinking about it for a long time, I decided on these checkered flag brownies. It took me a little while to figure out how to make the checkered design, but once I figured it out I think it turned out really well!

Also, as you'll see below there is a chocolate frosting on the brownies. The frosting serves two purposes: 1) The frosting gives you a smooth surface for the checkered flag design and it makes the design look sharper. 2) It takes the brownies from being just "good" to "WOW!" Seriously the frosting is sooo good! And it's simple to make too. Just start with Challenge butter, add a little milk and cocoa powder, and once that's combined stir in the powdered sugar! it smells and tastes just like fudge.

Checkered Flag Brownies

Ingredients
For the brownies

• 2 boxes brownie mix (I ususally use Ghirardelli Double Chocolate)
• 3/4 cup Challenge butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

For the frosting

• 1/3 cup Challenge butter
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a 9x13 metal baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray.
2. Put the brownie mix, melted  butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Spread brownie batter in prepared pan evenly and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes. I like my brownies softer so my baking time was closer to 30 minutes, but I know some people like brownies with crispy edges.
3. While brownies are cooling, prepare frosting. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Once the butter is melted, add the milk and the unsweetened cocoa powder, and stir until the mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar. Pour over brownies. Make sure to spread quickly before it sets.
4. Let brownies cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes. You must make sure frosting has completely hardened before the next step!
5. Cut paper into 1-inch squares, and lay the squares on brownies in a checkered flag design.
6. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
7. Lift pieces of paper up, and it will look like a checkered flag!

Recipe adapted from the Cake Mix Doctor.