The tip I’ll be sharing with you today came from my recipe for crockpot spareribs, where an OGT reader had left a comment under the mysterious moniker “A.” (Perhaps this person is a high-ranking intelligence operative, similar to M from James Bond?) In that comment, “A” mentioned using a secret ingredient to produce irresistibly delicious brownies. Who can say no to a secret ingredient, especially when brownies are involved? I certainly couldn’t. :-)

The Secret Ingredient For Rich, Moist, And Decadent Brownies

The secret brownie-enhancing ingredient that “A” mentioned in her comment was in fact the very same secret ingredient from the recipe I had posted for crockpot spareribs: baby food prunes!

According to “A,” adding baby food prunes to brownies gives them a depth of flavor that standard brownie mixes can’t match. She also claims that brownies made with prunes stay chewy and fresh longer than traditional brownies. With claims like these, I had to give it a try for myself!

For my initial test, I used a standard box of brownie mix from the grocery store. I prepared it according to the directions on the box, then I added a 2-ounce container (or 1/4 cup) of baby food prunes. Then I just baked the brownies according to the directions on the box. To put it very simply:

• Prepared brownie batter + 1/4 cup baby food prunes = Moist, rich brownies!

And I have to say, these brownies really exceeded my expectations! I had expected them to be moist due to the added moisture from the fruit, but I was surprised by the deep, rich flavor of these brownies. They were every bit as delicious as “A” has promised, and I know I’ll be making these again very soon!

Other Ways To Use Baby Food Prunes

It isn’t just brownies and spareribs that can benefit from the addition of baby food prunes. Try adding 1/4 cup of prunes to chocolate cake, chocolate cookies, muffins, braised pork, braised cabbage, and even your morning smoothie!

Aside from adding flavor, prunes can also be good for your health too. They are high in dietary fiber, and are a good source of potassium, vitamin K, and iron! So finding ways to sneak prunes into your favorite recipes is sure to make your stomach AND your body very happy. :-)

What’s your favorite “secret ingredient,” and what recipe do you use it in?