Football Brownies in Mason Jars are a delightful and portable dessert perfect for game days, parties, or as a thoughtful homemade gift. This recipe offers a fun and delicious way to enjoy rich, fudgy brownies in a convenient, individual serving size, making them incredibly easy to transport and share.
Key Ingredients for Football Brownies in Mason Jars
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark, your preference)
- 6-8 (8-ounce) Mason jars (or similar heat-safe jars)
- Optional: White frosting or melted white chocolate for laces, green sprinkles for “grass”
How to Make Football Brownies in Mason Jars
Whip up these irresistible brownies in just minutes, layered and baked right in mason jars for ultimate portability. The rich, fudgy texture combined with the fun presentation makes these Football Brownies in Mason Jars a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a delightful treat that’s surprisingly simple to create. Preparation time is approximately 20 minutes, with 25-30 minutes for baking.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat and Prepare Jars: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the inside of your 8-ounce Mason jars generously with butter or cooking spray. This is crucial to prevent the brownies from sticking. You can also line them with a small piece of parchment paper at the bottom if you’re concerned about easy removal.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Ensure there are no clumps of cocoa powder for a smooth batter.
Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. In a separate small bowl, lightly beat the eggs and then whisk in the vanilla extract. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until the batter is smooth and glossy. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough brownies.
Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips. These will add an extra burst of chocolatey goodness and texture to your brownies.
Fill the Jars: Spoon the brownie batter evenly into the prepared Mason jars. Fill each jar no more than two-thirds full, as the brownies will rise during baking. A medium cookie scoop or a piping bag can make this step cleaner and more even.
Bake the Brownies: Place the filled Mason jars on a baking sheet for easier handling and to catch any potential spills. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownie comes out with moist crumbs attached (not wet batter). Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
Cool Down: Once baked, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the Football Brownies in Mason Jars cool in the jars on a wire rack until they are completely cool to the touch. This is essential for them to set properly.
Decorate (Optional): Once cooled, you can add the finishing touches to make them look like footballs. Use a piping bag filled with white frosting or melted white chocolate to create laces on top of the brownies. For an extra festive touch, add some green sprinkles around the edges to resemble a football field.
Serve or Gift: Once decorated and cooled, your Football Brownies in Mason Jars are ready to be enjoyed! You can serve them straight from the jar or cover them with lids for easy transport.
Why You’ll Love This Football Brownies in Mason Jars
You’ll absolutely adore these Football Brownies in Mason Jars for their incredible chocolatey depth and perfectly fudgy texture, a hallmark of expertly baked brownies that rival any bakery treat. Unlike traditional brownies that can be messy to transport, this charming mason jar presentation makes them incredibly portable and mess-free – ideal for tailgating or sharing with friends. Plus, the delightful surprise of edible footballs, complete with laces, adds a fun, festive flair that elevates them beyond your average dessert.
Making these Football Brownies in Mason Jars at home is not only significantly more cost-effective than purchasing pre-made treats, but it also allows you to control the quality of ingredients, ensuring a richer, more satisfying flavor. The individual serving size is also a wonderful way to manage portions, offering a delightful homemade indulgence without the guilt. So why not ditch the store-bought and try making these show-stopping, game-day-ready brownies yourself?
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing:
- Refrigeration: Once completely cooled and decorated, cover the Football Brownies in Mason Jars tightly with their lids. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Chilling helps to firm them up further, making them even more enjoyable for some.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the cooled, undecorated brownies in their jars. Ensure the jars are freezer-safe and leave a little headspace for expansion. Wrap the jars tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before freezing. They should stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheating:
- Room Temperature: For the best texture, it’s often recommended to let refrigerated brownies come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
- Microwave: If you prefer a warm brownie, you can gently reheat them in the microwave. Remove the lid from the jar and microwave on low power for 15-30 seconds, or until just warmed through. Be careful not to overheat, as they can become tough.
- Thawing Frozen Brownies: If reheating from frozen, allow the jars to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Then, follow the room temperature or microwave reheating instructions. For quicker thawing, you can place the frozen jars in warm water.
Final Thoughts
These Football Brownies in Mason Jars are an absolute delight, offering rich, fudgy perfection in a fun, portable package. Give them a try for your next game day or special occasion – you’ll be amazed at how simple and rewarding they are to make and share!
Football Brownies in Mason Jars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease the inside of your 8-ounce Mason jars generously with butter or cooking spray. This is crucial to prevent the brownies from sticking. You can also line them with a small piece of parchment paper at the bottom if you’re concerned about easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Ensure there are no clumps of cocoa powder for a smooth batter.2 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Pour the melted butter into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. In a separate small bowl, lightly beat the eggs and then whisk in the vanilla extract. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until the batter is smooth and glossy. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough brownies.1 cup unsalted butter, 4 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips. These will add an extra burst of chocolatey goodness and texture to your brownies.1 cup chocolate chips
- Spoon the brownie batter evenly into the prepared Mason jars. Fill each jar no more than two-thirds full, as the brownies will rise during baking. A medium cookie scoop or a piping bag can make this step cleaner and more even.6-8 (8-ounce) Mason jars
- Place the filled Mason jars on a baking sheet for easier handling and to catch any potential spills. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownie comes out with moist crumbs attached (not wet batter). Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
- Once baked, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the Football Brownies in Mason Jars cool in the jars on a wire rack until they are completely cool to the touch. This is essential for them to set properly.
- Once cooled, you can add the finishing touches to make them look like footballs. Use a piping bag filled with white frosting or melted white chocolate to create laces on top of the brownies. For an extra festive touch, add some green sprinkles around the edges to resemble a football field.white frosting or melted white chocolate, green sprinkles
- Once decorated and cooled, your Football Brownies in Mason Jars are ready to be enjoyed! You can serve them straight from the jar or cover them with lids for easy transport.