Copycat Little Debbie Football Brownies Recipe

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There’s just something magical about pairing your favorite football game with sweet treats that bring smiles to everyone’s faces. And if you’ve ever had Little Debbie Football Brownies, you know they’re a total touchdown when it comes to flavor.

How to make Little Debbie Football Brownies

Little Debbie Football Brownies are a limited-edition snack cake made by Little Debbie, usually released during football season. They are fudgy, individually wrapped brownies shaped like a football and decorated with chocolate frosting and white icing “laces” to look like a football.

Ingredients

For the Brownies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

For the Fudge Icing:

• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Decoration:

• White icing or gel frosting (store-bought or homemade; used for piping the football “laces”)
• Football-shaped cookie cutter (alternatively, you can hand-cut the shapes using a template or knife)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Brownies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Gradually sift in the cocoa powder, salt, and flour, stirring until fully combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the brownies fudgy.
5. Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before proceeding.

Step 2: Shape the Brownies

1. Once the brownies are fully cooled, use a football-shaped cookie cutter to cut out football shapes. If you don’t have a cutter, you can draw a small football template on parchment paper, use it as a guide, and cut the shapes by hand with a knife.
2. Set the football-shaped brownie pieces aside on a wire rack for decoration.

Step 3: Make the Fudge Icing

1. In a heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate chips, heavy cream, and butter. Heat it in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring frequently, until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
2. Stir in the vanilla extract and let the icing cool slightly. It should be thick but spreadable.

Step 4: Decorate the Brownies

1. Spread the fudge icing evenly over each football-shaped brownie using a small spatula or butter knife. Let the icing set for about 10 minutes.
2. Using white icing or gel frosting, pipe the “laces” onto the brownies to mimic a football. Draw one horizontal line near the center followed by two or three short vertical lines across the horizontal one.

Tips for Success

• Brownie Texture: For extra fudgy brownies, slightly underbake them and let them cool completely before cutting.
• Neat Decoration: If you’re new to piping, practice drawing the football laces on parchment paper before decorating the brownies.
• Chocolate Flavor: To enhance the richness, add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the brownie batter.
• Cookie Cutter Alternative: If you don’t have a cookie cutter, you can cut the brownies into oval shapes with a knife for a similar look.

What to serve with

Little Debbie Football Brownies are a crowd-pleasing dessert, but pairing them with other snacks and drinks can elevate your spread into the ultimate game-day feast.

• Popcorn: Serve plain salted popcorn or go extra festive with caramel corn or popcorn seasoned with cajun spices.
• Pretzels: Soft pretzels with dips (cheese sauce or mustard) or crunchy pretzel sticks offer a great savory crunch.
• Chips and Dip: Go classic with tortilla chips and salsa, guacamole, or queso dip, or try potato chips with onion dip for an indulgent treat.
• Trail Mix: Toss together peanuts, almonds, pretzels, and mini chocolate candies to complement the chocolatey Little Debbie Football Brownies with a salty-sweet combo.

Ingredients Substitutes

When making Little Debbie Football Brownies, substitution options can help adapt the recipe to dietary restrictions, taste preferences, or simply help when you’re missing an ingredient!

1. Butter Substitutes

Butter adds richness and moisture to Little Debbie Football Brownies. If you need a dairy-free or lower-fat alternative:

• Coconut Oil: Replace butter with an equal amount of melted coconut oil. This adds a subtle coconut flavor and preserves the moist texture.
• Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil: Use an equal amount of neutral oil for a lighter texture. It’s a great dairy-free option but lacks the buttery flavor.
• Greek Yogurt: Substitute half the butter with plain full-fat Greek yogurt for a healthier, protein-rich twist. Your Little Debbie Football Brownies may turn out slightly denser.
• Applesauce: Replace half (or all) of the butter with unsweetened applesauce. Use a 1:1 ratio for moisture, though this may soften the texture slightly.
• Avocado: Mashed avocado can be used as a substitute for an equal amount of butter. It adds a creamy texture and keeps the brownies moist but may slightly alter the taste (great for health-conscious bakers).

2. Sugar Substitutes

Sugar enhances the flavor and texture of brownies. Alternatives allow for reduced calories or refined sugar-free baking:

• Coconut Sugar: Swap granulated sugar or brown sugar for an equal amount of coconut sugar, which adds natural sweetness with a hint of caramel.
• Maple Syrup or Honey: Replace sugar with ¾ cup of maple syrup or honey per 1 cup of sugar. Reduce other liquid ingredients by 2 tablespoons since syrups increase moisture.
• Brown Sugar Alternative: Run out of brown sugar? Use granulated sugar and add one tablespoon of molasses to replicate its deeper flavor.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: These low-calorie sweeteners are much sweeter than sugar. Check packaging for proper substitution ratios.
• Date Paste: Replace sugar with date paste for natural sweetness. Blend pitted dates with a small amount of water until smooth and use a 1:1 ratio.

3. Flour Substitutes

Flour provides structure in brownies, so selecting the right substitute ensures no compromise in consistency:

• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: Use a gluten-free flour blend for a 1:1 swap. This is perfect for guests with gluten sensitivities.
• Almond Flour: Replace 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 cup of almond flour. This yields denser brownies and adds a nutty flavor.
• Oat Flour: Substitute an equal amount of oat flour for a wholesome addition. You can make oat flour by pulsing rolled oats in a food processor.
• Whole Wheat Flour: Replace white flour with whole wheat flour in equal amounts for a heartier texture; brownies may turn slightly denser and darker.
• Cassava Flour: A grain-free and gluten-free alternative that works as a 1:1 substitute in most brownie recipes.

4. Cocoa Powder Substitutes

Cocoa powder provides the brownies’ signature chocolate flavor. If you don’t have cocoa powder or want to experiment:

• Unsweetened Chocolate: Substitute 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder with 1 ounce of melted unsweetened chocolate (reduce butter slightly, as chocolate adds fat).
• Carob Powder: Replace cocoa powder with an equal amount of carob powder for a caffeine-free, mellow chocolate substitute.
• Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder: If you’re out of natural cocoa powder, Dutch-processed works, but your brownies might have a milder chocolate flavor.
• Chocolate Protein Powder: For a unique health twist, substitute half of the cocoa powder with chocolate protein powder.

5. Egg Substitutes

Eggs help bind and add structure to brownies. Here are some swaps for vegan bakers or those with egg allergies:

• Flaxseed or Chia Egg: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 2.5 tablespoons of water per egg. Let it sit for 5 minutes to create a gel-like texture.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Substitute ¼ cup of applesauce for each egg. This adds moisture but may make the brownies slightly denser.
• Mashed Banana: Use ¼ cup of mashed ripe banana per egg. Expect a mild banana flavor in your brownies.
• Yogurt: Plain yogurt (regular or Greek) can be used as a 1:1 substitute for eggs, providing structure and moisture.
• Aquafaba: Replace each egg with 3 tablespoons of chickpea water (also known as aquafaba). Whip it slightly for added fluffiness.

6. Chocolate Substitutes (for the Fudge Icing)

Chocolate chips give the icing its signature richness and shine. If you need alternatives:

• Dark Chocolate Chips: Swap semisweet chocolate for dark chocolate for a bolder flavor.
• Milk Chocolate Chips: For a sweeter topping, use milk chocolate instead of semisweet.
• White Chocolate Chips: Try melted white chocolate for a different flavor profile and look.
• Dairy-Free Chocolate: Use vegan chocolate chips (like Enjoy Life brand) to make the icing suitable for dairy-free diets.

7. Heavy Cream Substitutes (for the Fudge Icing)

Heavy cream makes the fudge icing rich, but other options work just as well:

• Coconut Cream: Use coconut cream in place of heavy cream for a vegan alternative with a smooth consistency.
• Milk + Butter: Combine ¾ cup of milk with ¼ cup of melted butter to mimic the richness of heavy cream.
• Evaporated Milk: Replace heavy cream with equal parts evaporated milk for similar results.

8. White Icing Substitutes (for Football Laces)

White icing is used for decorating football-shaped brownies. If you need alternatives for the piping:

• Homemade Royal Icing: Mix powdered sugar with a bit of milk or water and vanilla extract until piping consistency is achieved.
• Melted White Chocolate: Use white chocolate to pipe the football laces for a slightly sweeter design.
• Vegan Icing: Choose a plant-based icing or frosting from the store for dietary-friendly decorations.

Final Thoughts

With a combination of salty snacks, hearty finger foods, refreshing drinks, and complementary desserts, your Little Debbie Football Brownies will shine as the star of an unforgettable game-day feast.

More Little Debbie Recipes:

• Copycat Little Debbie Banana Pudding Pie Recipe
• Homemade Little Debbie Star Crunch Recipe
• Homemade Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies Recipe