How to Make Glen Wads from Accepted

What’s Up, Hungry People

There are few movies that capture the essence of the college application process quite like Accepted. The film came out during the peak of my own college application journey back in the early aughts, and I was definitely more of a Bartleby Gaines than a Sherman Schrader when it came to getting into my top picks, so this movie has stuck with me ever since.

One of the most iconic characters in the movie is Glen—who becomes the weirdo, culinary artist of the group. His invention of Glen Wads was described as one of the best things Bartleby had ever tasted. Naturally, I’ve always wanted to taste a Glen Wad for myself.

Back in my actual high school days, I used to take brownies and wad them up into balls, pretending they were Glen Wads—though this experience definitely didn’t match up to the incredible flavor I imagined they would be, per the movie. So when Glen Wads were requested over on TikTok, I was instantly in.

Also, in case you were curious—the South Harmon Institute of Technology website is still very much active. Acceptance is still just one click away.

What are Glen Wads?

For me, I imagined Glen Wads were thick, fudgy brownies with a hint of garlic and cinnamon.

Why is Garlic the Secret Ingredient?

Well, if you’ve ever ordered a bag of bagels and had the everything bagel topping rub off with some cinnamon crunch topping, then you know that flavor combo is actually surprisingly delightful. This unusual combination of flavors, for whatever reason, always stuck with me as a flavor associated with Glen Wads. Is it a hyper-specific flavor-combination inspired by an experience I alone have probably had? Maybe. But in the end, this combination shockingly works in a brownie. Today, we’re using black garlic as our secret ingredient!

Black Garlic in a Brownie?!!

Yep, you read that ingredient correctly. Black garlic is not like your standard head of garlic. These cloves have been slowly roasted until they’re blackened from caramelization all the way through. The cloves are almost jelly-like or paste-like when removed from the skin.

Have you ever roasted garlic in the oven and noticed it has a slightly sweet flavor? This sweetness is dialed up to ten in black garlic. The cloves are very delicate, which means the garlic will melt into the batter rather than hang out in chunks—spreading the tangy, sweet notes of garlic throughout the brownie.

This is definitely one of those recipes where I say, “don’t knock it before you try it,” because if you didn’t know black garlic was the secret ingredient, you would just think the brownies were extra savory. I made my husband eat one without telling him what was in it, and he immediately said, “This is really good, I like that it’s less sweet—what’s in it?” And when I told him, he was shocked.

Here’s What You Need:

Get ready to get experimental in the kitchen. We’re going to be working with some very unstable herbs.

• Chocolate chips: To make the brownies extra chocolatey.
• Cocoa powder: Unsweetened is best—this is your chocolate base.
• Flour & sugar: To make the batter for the brownies; can’t have brownies without these basics.
• Cinnamon: Just enough to add an undertone of warmth to complement the cocoa.
• Demerara sugar: Adds a sweet crunch throughout the brownies.
• Espresso powder: To boost savory notes and deepen the chocolate flavor.
• Chili powder: A pinch highlights the sweet flavors; we’re not going for spice here.
• Black garlic: Sweet and tangy, almost like balsamic (more on this after the next pic!).
• Eggs: Extra eggs are needed to make the brownies fudgy.
• Melted butter: For a thick and rich batter that sets up perfectly.
• Vanilla: Adds depth and rounds out the other flavors.

Let’s Cook

Preheat your oven to 350°F, and grease a 9×9 baking dish. You’ll want to have everything ready before diving in, so measure out your ingredients first. This sets you up for smooth sailing once you start mixing.

Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, cinnamon, espresso powder, demerara sugar, and chili powder until everything is well combined. You don’t want any clumps of dry ingredients hiding out, so take your time here.

Add the Wet Ingredients

Next, add the eggs, minced black garlic, vanilla, and melted butter. Mix it all together with a hand mixer until you’ve got a thick, glossy batter. Make sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl so no pockets of flour are left behind.

Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Now, fold in those chocolate chips. This is where the magic really happens, as they’ll melt into pockets of gooey goodness. Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter for that extra chocolatey bite.

Bake the Brownies

Once everything’s mixed, pour the batter into your greased baking dish and spread it evenly with a spatula, pushing it into the corners. Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool and Cut

Let them cool overnight—seriously, don’t refrigerate them. The longer they rest, the fudgier they get. Once cooled, cut the brownies into equal pieces.

Form Glen Wads

You can serve the brownies as-is, or if you’re feeling Glen-esque, use your hands to squish them into balls and make your own Glen Wads. Enjoy the confusion of your taste buds and the surprised looks from your friends when you reveal the secret ingredient.

Tips for the Best Glen Wads

• Don’t skip the black garlic: It’s the secret ingredient that adds a unique depth of flavor, making these brownies stand out.
• Let them cool overnight: Patience is key here. The brownies firm up and become fudgier, so leave them out at room temperature.
• Test for doneness with a toothpick: Insert it in the center; if it comes out clean, you’re good to go. If not, give it a few more minutes but keep a close eye on them.
• Experiment with chili powder amounts: If you’re unsure about the heat, start with a pinch and adjust in future batches.

Common Questions About Glen Wads

• Do I have to use black garlic? Yes, for the authentic flavor. Black garlic is sweeter and less pungent than regular garlic, so don’t worry about it overpowering the brownies.
• Can I substitute demerara sugar? You can use brown sugar if you can’t find demerara, but the texture might be slightly less crunchy.
• Can these brownies be frozen? Yes, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.

And never forget:

“ASK ME ABOUT MY WEINER!

Watch It On TikTok

@fictionalfeastfelicia Replying to @mattytails it's an explosion of flavor – I've been working with some very unstable herbs 💩 #glenwads #accepted #reciperequest #fictionalfeast #thestarvingchef #blackgarlic #sweetgarlic #brownierecipe #brownies #dessert #movierecipe #reciperequests #fictionalfeasts #southharmoninstituteoftechnology ♬ Holiday – Green Day

Head on over to TikTok to leave a request for your favorite fictional feast!

Glen Wads are a wild, flavor-packed nod to one of the most unexpected movie treats. They’re everything you didn’t know you needed in a brownie: fudgy, chocolatey, with that offbeat hit of black garlic and cinnamon that Glen would be proud of. Don’t overthink it—just grab some black garlic, crank up Accepted, and give it a try. The brownies are guaranteed to confuse and delight anyone bold enough to try them. And hey, if they ask about the secret ingredient, just give a wink and say, “It’s Glen’s recipe.”

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