Forget The Oven: The Appliance That Makes Bakery-Soft Brownies In 20 Minutes

Sometimes all you want is a warm, gooey, chocolate-laden brownie. If you have the ingredients on hand, it's not that hard to whip a batch up, especially if you're using the right recipe. The issue lies in the fact that we don't always want to make a full tray, whether it's because we're scared we'll eat the whole thing or don't want to wait around for them to bake. Luckily, there is an easy, quick way to make a brownie for one — and you can do so in an unlikely appliance: a miniature rice cooker.

A mini rice cooker is the perfect size for creating a single brownie serving, and it keeps the dessert soft and fudgy. This is because rice cookers trap steam, which helps baked goods retain moisture. They also cook very gently and continuously retain heat, avoiding shrinking. Plus, you don't need to preheat them, they turn off on their own, and many have non-stick surfaces to help prevent messes. 

To try it, just scale down any fudgy brownie recipe. Melt a few tablespoons of butter in the rice cooker, add equal amounts of flour and sugar as well as an egg, and sprinkle in a little salt, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Turn the rice cooker on and wait — the brownie should be ready in less than 20 minutes. You can also make a full batch if you have a larger rice cooker; the baking time will just be slightly longer.

The brownie might be considerably soft when you first take it out. If this happens, try giving it some time to cool so it can harden up. Either way, it's best to wait at least a few minutes for it to set for the best texture. Rice cookers also tend to switch off when they get too hot, so you might need to switch it back on after a few minutes. Finally, if the insert of the rice cooker isn't non-stick, make sure you grease it well to prevent sticking. Parchment paper is also an option.

You can add mix-ins to the brownie if you'd like. Chocolate chips will amp up the indulgence, and chopped nuts, like peanut, walnut, and pistachio, will create some crunch. Peanut butter is another classic addition, as are raspberries, marshmallows, and graham crackers. Use more cocoa powder for a stronger flavor or skip it altogether to make buttery blondies.

@mix_taste_eat

A single serve sweet treat once the kids are in bed of the evening? Okay! Here's how to make a chocolate brownie in your Mini Rice Cooker: 1. Add 1/4 cup of butter to the cooker, put the lid on and press Cook to melt the butter. 2. In a small bowl mix together 1/4 cup sugar 2 Tbsp cocoa powder, 1/4 cup plain flour, pinch of salt and 1/4 tsp of baking powder. 3. Pour in the melted butter and add an egg then mix thoroughly until there are no lumps left. Add a splash of milk if the mixture is too thick. 4. Pour into your Mini Rice cooker (and add chocolate chips/peanut butter/pistachio paste/raspberries here) then set to cook. Set a separate timer for 20 minutes. 5. Once cooked, carefully invert the brownie onto a plate and serve with natural yoghurt or cream and berries! #miniricecooker #recipes #ricecookerrecipes #kmart

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The trick can also work with boxed brownie mix (we ranked some of the top store-bought ones if you want recommendations). Some people even like to use a boxed fudge cake mix for a similar result. Serve with ice cream, yogurt, fudge sauce, more peanut butter -– the possibilities are endless. By the way, here's what happens when you bake a cheesecake in a rice cooker, in case you were wondering.