Birthday Cake Brownies just might replace cake for your next birthday celebration. The BEST homemade fudge brownies with creamy birthday cake frosting – amazing!
Be the first to get new recipes – Subscribe to Back For Seconds by Email
Get my new cookbook, Brownies, Blondies, and Bars here!
OK, so there’s no need to wait for a birthday to make these brownies. They are perfect for a celebration of any kind…or a random Tuesday! Today, however, is certainly a day worth celebrating. I have HUGE EXCITING WONDERFUL news to share with all of you!!
I have been keeping a secret from you since last fall. I know, I’m terrible, please don’t be mad. I kept wanting to tell you but then I’d get scared and nervous and I would change my mind.
I just can’t keep it in anymore – I am bursting with excitement!!!
Honestly, I can’t even believe this is real life. This has been a dream of mine for some time, and now that it’s happening, I am in shock! I have been in love with baking, and experimenting, and creating in the kitchen since I was a kid. Then I managed to turn that passion into a full time job (still sort of in shock about that one, too)! And now I am officially the AUTHOR of my very own COOKBOOK!!!
Sorry for all of the shouting. I’m just so incredibly EXCITED and HAPPY and I cannot wait to share this book with all of you!!!
I am SO proud of the way it all came together. I knew writing this book would be hard, and time consuming, and stressful at times, but really? I had no idea.
When I started writing this book I had a 5 year old, 3 year old twins, and a nursing baby at home with me. Some days weren’t too bad, and there were plenty of days that were a lot of fun. I’d have 3 tiny, eager helpers ready to mix, stir, and pour, and eat all the chocolate chips, and beg to “test” every recipe 🙂 And the baby would happily play at my feet, pulling everything out of every cabinet in the kitchen.
But somedays were hard. The baby was sick, or fussy and needed to be held, so I baked with one hand. The kids all took turns being sick and needing lots of mommy snuggles, and my 3 year old broke his leg. My husband had a very busy work schedule – 12 hour days plus lots of overtime. Pretty much, he was never home and it was tough. I had 4 babies that needed their mama, clients who needed me to finish projects on schedule, and this blog wasn’t going to write itself! So fitting in writing a cookbook and all that it entails – developing recipes, grocery shopping, recipe testing, and more testing, photography, photo retakes, photo editing, writing, more editing, etc. – it really has been a labor of love.
I tried really hard to do most of the work (except the baking) while my kids were asleep. They are only little once and I wanted to spend as much time as possible with them. Besides, have you ever tried writing something important and very detailed in the company of lots of little children? Not happening.
Oh! Then in February I found out I was pregnant again! I am forever thankful that I was finished with the baking part of the book by then because I. Was. Sick. To the extreme. It’s pretty tricky writing a cookbook and a food blog when you can’t stand the sight of food. I had to take a break for awhile because I could not even get out of bed. I couldn’t eat or drink, and spent most of the time with my head in the toilet. Ick.
By the grace of God, I finished my book – and a week ahead of schedule, at that! I put a lot of work and a lot of love into every aspect of this book. From designing the cover, making sure the layout was just right, taking every photograph, testing and tasting every recipe, to writing and editing every word.
(here’s a little behind the scenes look)
I am completely thrilled with the finished product and I am proud to have my name on the cover. Brownies, Blondies, and Bars is now available for presale!!!
I will give a more detailed look inside the book soon, but for now just know that if you or someone you know loves cheesecake, brownies, no bake desserts, gourmet cookie bars, fudge, or over the top blondies – you need this book! There is something for everyone and the best part is that every recipe is EASY to make! They look and taste seriously impressive, but they are all fuss free! Even beginner bakers will love Brownies, Blondies, and Bars. You will for sure want to have this around for stress free holiday baking this year!
Eeeeeekkkk!! I am beyond thrilled to share this book with all of you and I hope that you love it and bake from it often!
And in the mean time – try these Birthday Cake Brownies! The rich, fudgy, homemade brownie is slathered with creamy, dreamy, birthday cake flavored frosting. And sprinkles. Lots of sprinkles. These were a huge hit with everyone who tried them, and I know you’ll love them too. Enjoy!
KB says
I just stumbled upon your website and this posting is the first thing I read on it. I’m an animator, first-time mom and a long time self-taught baking enthusiast. I love trying out goodies recipes, making changes to existing ones and creating brand new ones from scratch for my recipe box. I know I’m late, but many congratulations on your book. Hope it’s doing well. Loved reading all that went into making it – very inspiring. My goodness, four kids with everything else – you’re Super Mom. I too was extremely sick during my pregnancy and had lost a lot of weight. Anyway. I’m definitely getting your book. Thank you for sharing this recipe – and others – with us 🙂
Stacy says
For the frosting, could you use funfetti cake mix instead of yellow cake mix?
Stephanie Brubaker says
I don’t see why not! Enjoy!
Diane Westby says
Dearest Stephanie,
What a great time for you and your children. I wish I had all those little ones at home and all cooking in the kitchen. To me there would be few things better than a bunch of kids at your feet while baking. The cookbook looks fabulous and I bet all of the recipes are out of this world. Best of luck to you and hope to order the cookbook soon.
Sincerely
Diane
Natalie says
Could I omit the dark cocoa and just use 1 C. cocoa? I dont have any of the dark on hand.. Thanks! Im going to be making these for my sons birthday treat for school since he requested brownies. These look amazing!!
Stephanie Brubaker says
Absolutely! I hope he enjoys them as much as we did 🙂
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
Congratulations on your cookbook! That’s so exciting. And these bars!!! They look amazing, and so fun.
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Wow!! You are a rock star for sure! Congrats on the cookbook. I can’t wait to see it! These brownies look to die for!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
All these recipes just look incredible! I can’t wait to see it. What a huge accomplishment!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I’m so excited for you!!
Stephanie Brubaker says
Thank you, Dorothy!
Melanie says
Oh the colors! It’s looks like a party in a baked good. SO much fun!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Congrats on your cookbook! You are amazing to get it done with everything you had going on!
Erin M. says
Congratulations!!! What an accomplishment!!
Melissa from Hungry Food Love says
Congrats on the cookbook. I love the topic and love this recipe!
Susan says
Big congrats to you! You had some giant hurdles and you totally rocked it, this cookbook looks amazing, as do these birthday cake brownies. I can never say no to frosted brownies.
Meg @ With Salt and Wit says
YAYAYA! So happy for you! I can’t wait to see it and make some delicious recipes! And in the mean time, I am all over these delicious brownies!
Rose | The Clean Dish says
Congratulations on your cookbook! Wow – I love the cover! I hope it’ll be a best seller 🙂 I know it’s stressful so hats off to you, what with all your little ones!!
Birthday cake brownies…. yum!!
Lana | NeverEnoughThyme says
Huge congratulations on your cookbook! I can’t imagine doing that with four little ones to take care of as well. Also, these brownies are so pretty. Very festive – just like a birthday cake should be.
Cookin Canuck says
Congratulations on the cookbook! And that is definitely a feat getting everything done while looking after a lot of little ones.
Sara says
The cover is so cute! And I have to say, I am amazed by you. I have 4 year old twins and a 2 year old and I can barely get the laundry done let alone write a book 🙂
Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner says
Congrats on your cookbook! So exciting and these brownies look perfect!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Congratulations on your cookbook! How exciting! I love your brownie recipe — it’s so festive and pretty! It’s the perfect treat to toast your accomplishment with!
Catherine says
Dear Stephanie, these bars look so festive and fun. A perfect amount of frosting to brownie. Congratulations dear on your cookbook! How exciting!! xo, Catherine
Martha @ A Family Feast says
Congrats on your cookbook! Looks like one that everyone should have in their cookbook collection!
Jenny B @ Honey and Birch says
I am going to pretend it is my birthday, bake these brownies and preorder your cookbook as a birthday present to myself. 😉
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says
Congratulations on your cookbook! That’s an amazing accomplishment in and of itself, let alone with everything else that you had going on. These brownies look beyond delicious. I look forward to the cookbook. Congrats on your new little one, too! Exciting times!
The Food Hunter says
Congrats on the cookbook!
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
Congratulations! That is so super exciting! I am amazed at how you could possibly do it all.
Ginny McMeans says
I don’t know how you could write a cookbook with all that goes on in your family. Great job and I can’t wait to buy it! Your brownies look delicious too. Beautiful family.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I am so SO excited for you Stephanie! I know how incredibly hard it is to write a book – it is all-consuming! I seriously cannot wait to get my hot little hands on a copy 🙂 These brownies are exactly what I’d expect from you – gorgeous!
Tasha @thatssoyummy says
Congrats on the cookbook first off but these brownies are terrific and I think I need to stop drooling!!!!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
Those look like my kind of brownies! So festive–I imagine these are a perfect alternative to birthday cake 🙂 And the cookbook cover–WOW! I cannot wait to check it out 😀
Stephanie Brubaker says
Thank you and THANK YOU!!! I am so happy with the cover, thanks so much for checking it out 🙂
Liz says
Thank you for the nice recipe. Hang in there – your family is beautiful and worth it!
Stephanie Brubaker says
You’re welcome! And thank you, I sure do love my family 🙂
Debbie Caraballo says
Stephanie, the cookbook is awesome!! My very favorite cookies to make. Would love to have a copy…and thanks for this recipe too!
Stephanie Brubaker says
I appreciate that SO much, Debbie! Thank you!