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Peppermint Bark Brownies
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So it’s December and I’m pretty sure that means cookie season? Don’t worry, we’ll get there. But because it’s Wednesday and I’m definitely a fan of a weekly brownies post, we’re doing brownies today. Peppermint bark brownies, that is. HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THEY?
So beautiful. So, so beautiful. I’m like a proud mama.
I posted a very similar recipe in 2011, but as they have become such a hit in our household, I had to share this updated version with you. Rebe and I were on the phone today and she goes “I don’t even like peppermint and they’re one of my favorite desserts ever.” I feel the same. It really doesn’t matter if you like peppermint or not. You will like these peppermint brownies.
I hated peppermint…but not anymore!
OK let’s pause and I can tell you a funny story about mint. Growing up in New England, my dad used to take Rebe and I on multiple skiing trips every winter. The first time I skied I think I was 5 years old. My dad would hold me in between his legs the entire way down the mountain. It was hilarious.
Moving on because this story actually has nothing to do with skiing. So one Sunday we were driving back down to Boston and I was in the backseat. My mom is a huge tic-tac fan, and she gave Rebe and me a bunch of tic-tacs for the weekend. Rebe had orange (the best), and I had spearmint. Well, I decided to lie down in the backseat of the car. I then proceeded to eat a.ton. of spearmint tic-tacs.
The car ride was 2 hours, and I was eating spearmint tic-tacs for at least an hour. Do you know how many spearmint tic-tacs you can eat in one hour? The answer is approximately 3/4 of a box. The answer is also enough to make you hate spearmint for the rest of your life.
Pretty soon I felt nauseous. I managed to keep everything down, but boy did I feel awful. I started to get a headache, too.
Without any further details, I will just say that I haven’t enjoyed spearmint since. Any time anyone hands me spearmint anything I cringe. I just can’t handle it. Ick.
So that’s my spearmint story. Lucky for us, my life goes on and I enjoy all other types of mint. And especially peppermint. And espeeeeecially peppermint when it’s mixed with chocolate.
Assembling these peppermint bark brownies
Each step of these peppermint bark brownies is super easy, but these babies do require some assembly work and chill time to set properly. The basic steps for this ballin’ peppermint brownie recipe are as follows:
Make the peppermint brownie base
The instructions for making the brownies are nothing out of the ordinary. But there are a few things I wanted to touch on: first, the brewed coffee is totally optional, but it really does help these brownies taste even better. You won’t taste the coffee at all, but it brings out the rich chocolate flavor even more and is an absolute game changer!
Second, don’t be tempted to add more peppermint extract than what this recipe calls for. I know you clicked on this brownie recipe because you love peppermint, but peppermint extract can go from yum to toothpaste-y really fast.
Third, slightly under bake these brownies to ensure they’re extra fugdy and delicious. Not by a whole lot, but just barely under baking them makes a big difference.
Once the brownies have baked, you’ll need to let them cool completely before frosting them.
Make the peppermint frosting
You want to make sure you’re using room temperature butter to make the homemade peppermint frosting. If the butter is chilled, the frosting won’t whip up properly and you’ll wind up with chunks of butter in it (ew). And if your frosting is too thick for your liking, add just half a tablespoon of milk into it at a time to loosen it up.
Once you’ve frosted the chilled brownies, place the pan back into the fridge for 15 minutes or so.
Make the peppermint bark
The peppermint bark topping is a simple mixture of butter and chocolate. Simply melt it, and then spread it over the chilled, frosted brownies. Sprinkle the top with crushed peppermint candies and then chill the brownies until the topping is set.
What is better than a fudgy brownie base with a hint of peppermint, fluffy, rich, minty frosting, and more chocolate on top?! Not much, babes. Not much.
Print- Yield: 9 large brownies
Peppermint Bark Brownies
- Yield: 9 large brownies
Ingredients
For the brownies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon brewed coffee (optional)
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup flour
For the peppermint frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
For the bark
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- crushed peppermint candies, for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8″x8″ baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe mixing bowl, melt the butter. Stir in oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, salt, and optional coffee. Once combined, fold in cocoa powder and flour.
- Pour the brownie batter into the baking dish, spreading evenly to the edges. Bake for 35 minutes, then remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan (about 1 hour).*
- While the brownies are cooling, make your frosting! In a standing mixer with a wire whip, cream the unsalted butter for 1 minute, then add the rest of the frosting ingredients and whip for an additional minute.
- Once the brownies are cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the brownies, creating a smooth surface at the top. Place back into fridge for 15 minutes.
- Once the frosted brownies have chilled, melt your chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in increments of 30 seconds, stirring in between each time.
- Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the frosting, spreading to the edges and smoothing evenly with the back of a spoon. Top with crushed peppermint candies and allow to harden in fridge for about 1 hour. Then cut and serve!