I've been bragging about our new Starbucks Verismo on social media the past few weeks. We are loving it! And, keep reading to find out how you can have one too!
When the lovely people from Staples contacted me about trying the Starbucks Verismo I was completely honest and said I wasn't a huge coffee fan. I'm more of a tea person. I do, however, absolutely love the smell of coffee so I'm thankful Jacob drinks it almost daily. It's my most favorite of all the smells.
Jacob has been starting his day with a Starbucks Americano using the Espresso Roast pods. He LOVES it and finds it much easier to make in the morning before work. We've both been using the Verismo to brew tea. It's safe to say we're hooked. It's so nice to just make one cup of coffee or tea. The clean up is so much easier than a standard coffee pot too.
The Verismo comes with a recipe book with instructions on how to make the most popular Starbucks drinks like Cafe Latte, Chai Tea Latte, Hot Cocoa, and more. We will be buying the milk pods and syrups to make the specialty drinks.
I found another way to use the Verismo....in the kitchen! I used the freshly brewed Espresso to make these decedent super Fudgy Chocolaty Brownies. It made these brownies much richer in flavor all around. Amazing.
How would you like to have a Starbucks Verismo of your own??? The same wonderful people at Staples that gave me a one, want to give one of my readers one too! Instructions to enter are below this awesome recipe.
Super Fudgy Chocolaty Brownies
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
1 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, diced (optional)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional, but HIGHLY suggested)
3 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons brewed and cooled Espresso or strong coffee
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 x 9 pan. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa, sugar, powdered sugar, salt, flour, nuts, and chocolate chips. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the eggs and oil. Mix on low until combined. Add in dry ingredients and cooled coffee and mix until completely mixed, a minute of so.
Dump the mixture into the prepared 9 x 9 pan and spread around evenly.
Bake for about 35 minutes, or until brownies are set and not wet in the middle. Place the pan of brownies on a cooling rack, and allow them to cool for 1 hour before slicing.
Serve with a cup of coffee. You could also top with a little powdered sugar or even a scoop of ice cream.
Makes 9 large brownies, or 16 smaller brownies.
Source: Adapted slightly from King Arthur Flour
Printer Friendly Recipe
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
One winner will receive a Starbucks Verismo brewer and choice of a 12 pack of coffee pods:
How to Enter: To enter to win, simply leave a comment on this post and answer the question:
What would you make with your Verismo first?
You can receive up to FIVE additional entries to win by doing the following:
1. Subscribe to Whatcha Makin' Now? Monday Newsletter. Come back and let me know you’ve subscribed in an additional comment on this post.
2. Become a fan of Whatcha Makin' Now? on Facebook. Come back and let me know you became a fan in an additional comment on this post.
3. Follow Whatcha Makin' Now? on Pinterest. Come back and let me know you became a fan in an additional comment on this post.
4. Follow Whatcha Makin' Now? (@cfanders) on Instagram. Come back and let me know you’ve followed in an additional comment on this post.
5. Follow @WhatchaMakinNow on Twitter. Come back and let me know you’ve followed in an additional comment on this post.
Deadline: Friday, February 7, 2014 at 11:59 PM CST.
Winner: The winner will be chosen at random using Random.org and announced at the top of this post. The winner will also be notified via email; if the winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be selected.
Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by Staples and Whatcha Makin' Now? The winner's information will be sent to my contact at Staples and Staples will arrange the delivery of the prize. Whatcha Makin' Now? will not be held responsible for fulfillment of the prize.
Good luck!!!
