Peppermint Chocolate Brownies Recipes

PEPPERMINT BROWNIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick spray, and line with parchment paper, leaving a 1 1/2-inch overhang on both sides (this will help you remove the brownies from the pan later).
• Make the brownies: Place a medium heat-safe bowl over a medium pot of simmering water. Place the chocolate, butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar into the bowl. Heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is evenly melted. The mixture will be grainy; that's O.K.
• Whisk the eggs into the chocolate mixture one at a time, then whisk in the vanilla extract. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and mix with a silicone spatula just until incorporated. Pour into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
• Bake the brownies until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely.
• Make the peppermint filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on medium-low, mix the confectioners' sugar, sweetened condensed milk, peppermint extract, vanilla extract and salt to combine. When the mixture appears well combined, scrape down the bowl well once, then mix on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes. During mixing, the mixture will appear light and fluffy, but when you stop, it may look softer and more liquid. That's O.K.
• Spread the peppermint mixture over the surface of the cooled brownies and spread into an even layer. (It will be stiff but spreadable.) Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 15 minutes.
• While the brownies chill, make the glaze: Place a medium heat-safe bowl over a medium pot of simmering water. Place the chocolate, cream, butter and salt in the bowl. Heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is evenly melted. (Alternatively, this can be done in the microwave in a microwave-safe container in 15-second increments until fully melted.) Let the glaze cool for 5 minutes.
• Pour the glaze over the chilled brownies and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the crushed peppermints evenly over the surface. Return to the refrigerator to chill until the chocolate is fully set, about 45 minutes more.
• Use the parchment paper to lift the brownies out of the pan and use a sharp knife to cut them into 15 even pieces. For cleanest slices, dip the knife into warm water and dry with a clean towel in between each cut. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

PEPPERMINT BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
• Combine flour and salt in a bowl. Combine sugar and cocoa powder for brownies in a separate bowl; add melted butter and mix with an electric mixer until well combined. Beat in eggs and peppermint extract. Add flour mixture and stir until just combined; do not overmix. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top is dry and edges have started to pull away from the sides of the pan, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool, about 20 minutes.
• While brownies are cooling, cream butter for frosting in a large bowl. Slowly mix in powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Add 1 tablespoon milk, peppermint extract, and food coloring; blend until smooth, adding 1 teaspoon milk if frosting seems too thick. Spread onto cooled brownies and place in the fridge to set.
• Heat cream and butter for ganache in a saucepan over low heat until simmering. Remove from the heat, add chocolate, and stir until melted and smooth. Put in the freezer to set, about 35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes so it doesn't get too hard.
• Spread ganache on top of brownies.

PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

Steps:

• In a microwave or double boiler, melt butter and chocolate.
• Cool slightly.
• In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla.
• Add the chocolate mixture and mix well.
• Combine flour and salt and gradually add to chocolate mixture.
• Stir in nuts.
• Spread into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 16-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes clean.
• Cool on a wire rack.
• In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and extract.
• Add enough cream until frosting reaches spreading consisitency.
• Frost cooled bars.
• Melt chocolate and butter.
• Drizzle over frosting.
• Cut into bars.

PEPPERMINT HOT COCOA BROWNIES

Steps:

• Make the brownies: Preheat the oven to 325˚. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; coat with cooking spray. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
• Melt the butter and milk chocolate in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring. Remove from the heat and whisk in both sugars. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla and milk. Gently whisk in the flour mixture until just combined. Spread the batter in the prepared pan.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely in the pan. Lift out of the pan using the foil overhang.
• Meanwhile, make the topping: Combine the gelatin, salt and 1/4 cup water in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Let sit 2 minutes. Combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, without stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, 1 minute. With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour in the sugar syrup. Gradually increase the speed to high; beat until thick and fluffy, 12 to 14 minutes. Beat in both extracts.
• Coat a rubber spatula with cooking spray; spread the topping on the brownies. Sprinkle with peppermint candies and let set, about 2 hours. Cut into pieces using a knife coated with cooking spray.