Kneader's Peppermint Brownies

By bloomysgirl

Brownies with mint frosting and chocolate ganache.

Ingredients

• brownies:
• 1 cup butter
• 4 oz unsweetened chocolate
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• filling:
• 1/2 cup softened butter, margarine, or shortening
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 drops mint flavoring or to taste
• 1 drop pink food coloring
• ganache:
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• crushed peppermint ( red and white)

Details

Servings 32

Preparation

Step 1

Brownies:
Melt the chocolate and butter in a 2 quart bowl in the microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring every 20 – 30 seconds until the chocolate is melted. Cool slightly.
Add sugar, eggs and vanilla and mix well with a spatula.
Add the flour and stir to combine.
Stir in chocolate chips. Spread into a buttered 13-inch x 9-inch x 2-inch baking pan.
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Do not overcook. Cool.

Filling:
In a small bowl, beat the confectioners’ sugar, butter and mint flavoring until smooth.
Add food coloring to make a light pink.
Spread evenly over cooled brownies and then chill.

Ganache:
Put the chocolate chips and cream into a small bowl.
Microwave on high for 1 minute stirring every 20 – 30 seconds until chocolate is melted. Do not over heat.
Immediately pour over the brownies.
Decorate with crushed peppermint.

Do not refrigerate. Mixture will set up on brownies in about 15 – 20 minutes.