How to Make Non-Pareils Stick on Brownies

Nonpareils can be applied to any sweet treat.

Nonpareils are small, multicolored round sprinkles made from sugar and starch. In French, nonpareil literally means without equal. Nonpareils are commonly used to coat and decorate cakes, cookies and brownies, adding a sweet and slightly crunchy layer of sprinkles. However, nonpareils will dissolve into brownies if you put them on before baking, and will not stick if you sprinkle them on after. You must use an adhesive mixture to make nonpareils stick on brownies.

Things You'll Need

• 1/8 cup light corn syrup
• 1/8 cup warm water
• Small bowl
• Whisk
• Pastry brush

Instructions

1. Bake your batch of brownies and remove them from the oven. Allow the brownies to cool while you prepare to apply the nonpareils.

2. Combine 1/8 cup light corn syrup and 1/8 cup warm water in a small bowl. Whisk quickly until the adhesive mixture forms an even consistency.

3. Dip a pastry brush into the adhesive mixture and apply a thin, even layer to the top of the brownies. Make sure you do not allow it to puddle at any spot on the brownies, as this will change their texture when it dries.

4. Sprinkle the nonpareils over the moistened brownie top. Use as many nonpareils as you would like, but keep in mind, only one layer of the sprinkles will stick.

5. Allow the brownies to cool for an hour; cut and serve the brownies as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not use all of the mixture, it will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

References

• "Brownie Mix Bliss: More Than 175 Very Chocolate Recipes for Brownies, Bars, Cookies and Other Decadent Desserts Made with Boxed Brownie Mix"; Camilla V. Saulsbury; 2005
• "Fabulous Brownies"; Annie Rigg; 2011