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Ghirardelli brownies not just any brownie

Lorie Hutson Food editor

Don’t skip making dessert just because time is short. The Spokesman-Review reader food panel gave a hearty thumbs up to two new brownies mixes from Ghirardelli chocolate.

The Caramel Turtle Brownies will make it look like you spent a lot of extra time baking, but actually come together quickly from the package. Add vegetable oil and eggs, and swirl the caramel packet into the pan just before baking.

“A perfect brownie with caramel and nuts,” Tina Johnson said. “This is so moist and gooey and chewy that it cannot be improved upon.”

Matt Quesnell agreed. “Very soft with a great mix of textures and flavors; Go Ghirardelli,” he said.

Andy Hoye added his approval to a chorus of tasters who thought Ghirardelli served up five-star brownies. “Pretty much perfect,” he said.

The Chocolate Syrup Brownies also scored points with the tasters. A few said they were far from ordinary.

“No fancy colors, ‘new’ flavors or gimmicky packaging, just good ol’ chocolate brownies,” Skip Hubbard said.

Larry Inman said the flavor was potent enough to take the edge off the worst kind of chocolate craving. “Good, very rich. A small square is more than enough.”

There were holdouts on the panel who thought the mixes were less than stellar. Overall, both brownies earned a four-star average from the panel. Donald Clegg said the caramel in the turtle brownies overshadowed the chocolate. The chocolate syrup brownies were better, he said.

“Better dark chocolate flavor, but far from great. If all brownies tasted like this, I’d cross them off my ‘foods I eat’ list,’ ” he said.

Although Marilyn Moore thought the brownies tasted more like homemade than ever, she still wasn’t going to buy them. They were too gooey and messy for her taste. “I want my brownies to be baked. Made from scratch is the best, I’m not into box cooking.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Syrup Brownies

Price: $2.99, 1 pound 2.75 ounces

Nutrition per serving (mix only, without egg and vegetable oil): 140 calories, 3.5 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 23 percent fat calories), 26 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 1 gram dietary fiber, 140 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • • •

Value: • • • 1/2

Comments: “Your basic brownie? Ho hum? No way! This is a dark chocolate chewy gooey delight.” –Tina Johnson

“Really moist, fudge-like… these are my favorite kind of brownies. Great taste. This is brownie with a capital ‘B.’ ” – Matt Quesnell

“Fudgy center. Great chocolate flavor with a slightly crunchy top. This would be perfect with ice cream.” – Peggy Kazanis

Ghirardelli Caramel Turtle Brownies

Price: $2.99, 1 pound 2.75 ounces

Nutrition per serving (mix only, without egg and vegetable oil): 140 calories, 4.5 grams fat (1 gram saturated, 29 percent fat calories), 23 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 1 gram dietary fiber, 120 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • •

Value:• • 1/2

Comments: “The caramel tastes a little fake, but that is definitely nitpicking. Eat and enjoy.” – Skip Hubbard

“Pretty much perfect.” – Andy Hoye

“Tastes more like homemade brownies… Made from scratch is the best, I’m not into box cooking.” – Marilyn Moore