Banana Split Brownies | Pillsbury™ Gluten Free Premium Mixes

When signs of spring begin cropping up outside, so do the outdoor activities. Cookouts, picnics and potlucks start filling up the weekends, and with them come the need for go-to recipes to share with family and friends.

There are times, though, that the week gets busy... or that I'm exhausted ... or that I just want to hit the "easy" button. Like, "please do most of the work for me" kind of easy. I'm sure you have those moments, too.

So, I'm going to tell you exactly how to prepare for these times: During your next trip to Walmart, take a little stroll down the baking aisle. Cruise over to the Pillsbury™ Gluten Free Premium Mixes... and stock. up. Then head home and put them in your pantry and be prepared to thank yourself the next time you need to make something on the fly.

Last week I mentioned how Pillsbury™ Gluten Free Premium Mixes have come in handy for the times that I've made treats for GF friends and family. With the amount of people that are choosing to go gluten free for allergy or diet purposes, making GF options is always smart when you're bringing food to a gathering. But sometimes I just don't have the time or energy to experiment with a bunch of different flours and binders to make sure that the finished product will be tasty {read: Not have the texture of a pencil eraser.}, so I appreciate the predictability of a boxed mix.

As much as I love the classics {cookies, brownies, sheet cake, etc.}, I always like to bring something original and creative to the party. You know me... I can never leave well enough alone. My friends would probably take my temperature and tell me to lie down if I showed up to a party with plain brownies. {Not that there's anything wrong with plain brownies. I'm a fan.}

So, Banana Split Brownies it is. Because who doesn't love something inspired by ice cream when the weather heats up?

These brownies look complex, but they are SO EASY to make thanks to starting off with a box of Pillsbury™ Gluten Free Premium Brownie Mix. Freeze dried strawberries give these rich chocolate treats just the right amount of fruity tartness, and whole bananas {cut lengthwise just like a real Banana Split} can be found in each fudgey bite, while walnuts lend some texture and crunch.

Just look at that banana peeking out! <3

The toppings are completely optional, of course... but how can you resist all the classic Banana Split fixin's? They're the perfect way to invite some customized DIY decorating to take place!

Springtime is here, so take my advice and squirrel away a few boxes of Pillsbury™ Gluten Free Premium Mixes {and earn 75 cents cash back with Ibotta in the process} for the times when you need to "mix up a moment!"

Banana Split Brownies

1 box Pillsbury™ Gluten Free Premium Brownie Mix
1 egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoon water
1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped {plus extra for garnish}
1/4 cup freeze dried strawberries, roughly chopped
2 medium bananas, cut lengthwise

Optional Toppings:
Whipped Cream
Sprinkles
Cherries

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with foil, leaving some overlapping as "handles", and coat with non-stick spray.

2. In a large bowl, prepare brownies as directed on box. Stir walnuts and freeze dried strawberries into the batter.

3. Pour half of the brownie batter into prepared baking pan. Arrange whole bananas in pan, pushing them lightly into batter. Top with remaining batter and smooth the top.

4. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the brownies comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.

Let cool for about 20 minutes before lifting out by foil handles. Cut into 9 equal pieces. Embellish with toppings if desired!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine.

Do's & Don'ts of Gluten Free Mix Baking | Pillsbury™ Gluten Free Premium Mixes

It's pretty obvious that I LOVE from-scratch baking, and that I'm not afraid of a challenge when it comes to cakes, cookies, brownies and most other sweet treats. BUT. I have a little secret...

Gluten free baking can be a little intimidating for me. Though I've dabbled a bit from time to time, I generally avoid baking gluten free goodies for family and friends because GF ingredients can be a bit tricky if you don't know much about them. 

I know exactly what to expect when you combine flour, sugar, eggs and butter... but start throwing in things like almond or rice flour, xantham gum and tapioca starch, and all bets are off. Gluten free baking can take a bit more finesse, especially if you're looking for an outcome that is similar to its non-GF counterparts {think: fluffy cakes and chewy cookies}. I'd hate to admit it, but I've had more GF baking fails than successes when I've been left to my own devices.

So you know what I discovered? Pillsbury has an entire line of gluten free mixes that make baking EASY. No more guess-work, purchasing ingredients you'll only use for one recipe and baking flops! These mixes come with everything you need right in the box for results that are exactly what you're hoping for. AND they can be purchased at your local Walmart! Um, tell me again why I was making multiple trips to specialty stores for expensive GF ingredients?!

These mixes are affordable, simple to make and so nice to have in a pinch when you're baking for GF friends. Now that I've stocked up on a few boxes at Walmart and tried my hand at GF box mix baking, I've learned a few important things that I'll now pass along to you:

DO get creative with add-ins & toppings. Just because you buy a GF brownie mix doesn't mean you have to make plain ol' brownies! Think of all the possibilities and get creative with your add ins to give mixes a personalized touch. {This goes for cookies & cakes, too!}

DON'T forget to check your other ingredients if you're baking for someone with a true gluten allergy. While these boxed mixes are wonderful for whipping up sweets without the worry or hassle, it's important to make sure that all of your ingredients are gluten free if they'll be consumed by someone with Celiac Disease or severe gluten intolerance. Always read labels and double check, and make sure to use well-cleaned kitchen tools and surfaces to avoid cross-contamination. 

DO use the directions as a starting point -- but DON'T limit yourself! There are so many fun treats that you can make out of simple boxed cake, cookie or brownie mix! What if you use cookie mix as a base for a tart? Or how about turning your cake mix into a GF crumble topping for a cobbler? The possibilities are endless!

DON'T overdo it. Though many people these days are choosing a gluten free diet in an attempt to eat healthier, it's important to remember that GF treats are still treats! It might be tempting to bake goodies more often when you're using a delightfully easy mix, but remember... everything in moderation!

DO get your family involved! A lot of the fun of being in the kitchen comes from "mixing up a moment" with family and friends! Whether you let your little ones scoop cookie dough onto baking sheets or work on cake decorating with your mom or grandma, you'll be baking up sweet memories that will last longer than the treats you gobble up!

I've had so much fun seeing how many amazing things I can make from boxed mixes, and I can't wait to show you one of my favorites in an upcoming post... so stay tuned!

But for now, check out how I turned ordinary {but delicious} Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix into an irresistibly fun springtime treat! Setting up an "assembly line" with family and friends makes quick work of putting these goodies together -- the quicker they're ready, the faster you can get to nibbling!

What's your favorite way to jazz up your gluten free mixes?

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 box Pillsbury™ Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Premium Cookie Mix
1 stick {8 tablespoons butter}
1 tablespoon water
1 egg
Marshmallow Creme OR large marshmallows*
Melted chocolate chips
{Optional} Colorful sprinkles

1. Prepare cookies according to package directions, scooping about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough for each cookie onto baking pan. Bake and cool completely.

2. When the cookies are cool, top each one with a dollop of marshmallow creme or a half of a large marshmallow.

3. Immediately coat with melted chocolate, tapping gently to coat completely. {You can spoon the melted chocolate over the cookie or dip it in the melted chocolate.} Place on a cooling rack or parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with sprinkles if desired.

4. Place in cookies freezer until the chocolate is set, about 5-7 minutes.

Store in refrigerator if not using immediately.

*I placed the marshmallow creme in a zip top bag and snipped the tip to pipe a dollop onto each cookie, but you can also use half of a large marshmallow for these {though they'll look a little Frankenstein-boxy because of the shape of the marshmallow. They'll still taste good!} If you use marshmallow creme, work quickly or refrigerate to help the creme set a bit as it tends to get runny.
  

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine.