This post was produced in partnership with Coles Supermarkets. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep the lights on around here! All opinions are my own.

It’s hot. It’s hot and it’s Christmas and I’m just going to say it, Brownie Pie is better than brownies. And here’s another controversial opinion – I love boxed mix brownies. I know I’m not alone here. I’ve seen a billion interwebz recipes about people trying to recreate that particular, rich, chewiness of a boxed brownie. A quest I totally commend.

But today, for Holiday ease and deliciousness, I’m straight up using a boxed mix. One from the new Coles baking range! And it bakes up just like the most perfect boxed mix brownie. Chewy, chocolate-y, rich, and full of those mini-choc chips which I’m so obsessed with.

The cool thing about using the boxed mix, is that it’s super easy to get creative with it. Like adding this salty-sweet, crunchy pretzel crust to make a brownie pie! You know me by now, I love pretzels in any sweet application. The recipe for this pie is at the bottom of the post so scroll on down if you want to.

But first, you might remember from this post that I sent out a bunch of goodie boxes from Coles Supermarket’s new baking range to see what other people think! The response was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone loved the use of less artificial ingredients, and the professional quality of the ingredients. And here are the lucky winner’s thoughts!

Amy from the blog Thoroughly Nourished Life said, ‘I loved playing with all of the different Coles products! The generously sized jars of sprinkles are perfect for bakers who love to decorate their creations, and the newly released candy melts and metallic baubles are professional grade baking supplies – and now I can get them from my local supermarket!

Although I rarely use a cake mix I was delighted with how easily the Coles boxed mix came together, and it baked up so nicely. These cake, cookie, and muffin mixes are perfect for bakers who are just starting out, or for when you are short on time! When you present people with a baked good you made yourself they don’t care that it came from a box – the love you put into making it is what makes it the sweetest gift. I look forward to seeing what Coles releases next. In the meantime, I know where I’ll be spending my pocket money!’ Amy made these boss cake pops…

Rachel said, ‘ I used Coles’ Chocolate Cake with Icing mix – with a touch of peppermint extract added in – to make some super cute Choc-Mint Christmas Cupcakes, with Chocolate Coated Popping Candy “dirt”, peppermint buttercream Christmas trees and cachous.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the ingredients in the products, particularly in the cake mixes. Mixes I have used in the past have always been chock full of rubbish and unnecessary additives, which is predominately why I’ve avoided using them until now, but Coles’ cake mixes are au natural. They still yield a super light and fluffy sponge that’s surprisingly clean eating and totally delicious. To be honest, I think I might be a cake mix convert…’

Jocelyn said: ‘What a hot Rockhampton day to get a delivery! In 37 degree heat, my box of Coles brand baking arrived on my doorstep. In it, chocolate and vanilla cake mixes, gingerbread mix, white chocolate, muffins, sprinkles, popping candy, patty pans, 100’s and 1000’s, silver cachous and cookie cutters right in time for Christmas. I had so many ideas and so little time with a nearly-one-year old at my feet. This weekend we will make and decorate his very first gingerbread men, and we have all the decorations for a Gingerbread House to make with his Grandma.

And Lisa from the blog Mummy Made It said: ‘My youngest son and I are Gluten Intolerant so we were very excited to find that some of the sprinkles were gluten free and even dairy free. We immediately made cupcakes and covered them in a rainbow of sprinkle colour and shine! We used different colour cupcake cases for each as well to make it even brighter. We then baked lots if mini cupcakes for his Kinder Christmas Party and used the Artifical Colour Free Sprinkles incase any child had any allergies.I baked the Banana and Coconut Muffins but made a few changes. I added only half the banana and used fresh mango instead. I also added 1 Cup of the Coles White Chocolate Chips. The Banana, Mango and Coconut Muffins with White Chocolate Chips were the “best things ever” according to my eldest son who ate them for Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon tea. I found the range to be bright and colourful (which is what I love in my baking) and easy to use.’ And Lisa made the beautiful cupcake above!

CAN YOU FEEL THE CHRISTMAS CHEER?? I can!

xx Sarah.