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Sunday, March 20, 2011

Ultimate Chocolate Mint Brownies

How do you make brownies better?  Is it really even possible?  Well it is when you start layering a minty creamy filling and fudgy ganache, oh yes, brownies are soooo much better when the layering starts!  It is like the flavors of chocolate mint chip ice cream collided with the perfect brownie and then had ganache poured over the top...only it's different...but similar too. 

The whole thing starts with  a brownie, simple unassuming and, of course, delicious because good brownies are simple and delicious.  Then you proceed to a light and fluffy mint filling and finally the topping...chocolate ganache...we all know there is nothing, I repeat nothing wrong with chocolate and cream!  It's like an amped up version of the Andes Mint Brownies from a while back, but better.  Yumm!  That is really all I think of to describe them.

I'm going to try them in mini muffin tins next time for the perfect two bite treat, again, YUMM!  I hope you enjoy!


I'm linking up to Moms Crazy Cooking Blog for This Weeks Craving.  Go check out the great chocolate recipes!


Chocolate Mint Brownies
Recipe Source: Adapted slightly from BettyCrocker

Brownie Base
**You can use a brownie mix if you want.  I used  the brownie recipe from the Andes Mint Brownies because it is simple and delicious and omitted the Andes mints. I also cut it half and below are the measurements I used for this recipe:

1 stick of butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X9-inch pan with foil and lightly grease with cooking spray. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa and salt. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Remove from the heat and add the sugar, stirring well to combine. Whisk in the vanilla and then the eggs. Blend well.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well.  Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the brownies are set in the middle but not over baked. Cool Completely

Filling
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 T butter, softened
3 T heavy whipping cream
2 oz cream cheese
1/8 -1/4 tsp mint extract
2-4 drops green food coloring if desired

In a large bowl combine all ingredients and whip until everything is well incorporated.  Continue mixing on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Spread on cooled brownies, refrigerate 1 hour or until set.

Ganache
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/3 cups (8 oz) good quality semi sweet chocolate
1/3 cup butter

Heat ganache ingredients over medium heat stirring constantly.  When chocolate is melted and everything is combined, set aside to cool about 10 minutes.  When still slightly warm, pour over the cooled filling spreading evenly.  Return the pan to the refrigerator.

To serve allow to sit at room temperature about 10-15 minutes.  Cut into bars and Enjoy!

16 comments:

  1. the combination of green mint and chocolate brownies make this cake looks delicious and so tempting!! can't wait to try it.. thank you for sharing this recipe :)

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  2. WOW! I seriously need some of these right now!!!

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  3. Oooh, these look fabulous! My kids love all things that combine mint and chocolate...I know they'd love these :)

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  4. I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE MINT!

    Thanks so much for linking to THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS... we are already enjoying a ton of recipes, so make sure to stop back by and see all the different CHOCOLATE recipes! It's gonna be one SWEET week of all CHOCOLATE!

    http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-weeks-cravings-21-chocolate-and.html

    And don't forget to come back next week for "HIDDEN INGREDIENT"... "What can you hide in your recipes?"

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  5. I love mint and chocolate combinations! This looks delicious. I've made chocolate cupcakes and mint icecream combo's and they were a winner. I'm sure everyone had satisfying smiles.
    Love these!Yvette x
    http://yvettesblogs.com/2011/03/24/food-of-the-gods/

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  6. Wow those are just amazing! I can't wait to make them!!

    I'm your newest follower :)

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  7. Tina- thanks for stopping by! I loved participating with the link up to THIS WEEKS CRAVINGS! Lots of fun!

    Alexis AKA Mom-Thanks for becoming a follower!

    Yvette-Mint and Chocolate are one of my favorites too!

    Lizzy, Erin, Danielle, Alvina-Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. I made this week and wow they are good. Love them. Thanks for sharing these recipes.

    I have left an award for you on my blog.
    http://cricutmyway.blogspot.com/

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  9. I love mint brownies! I am new to this website and am now a follower..I love it!! Could you please tell me what 1/8-1/4 mint extract means? 1/8-1/4 tsp. or bottle or tbls?? Also, ANY mint extract? I'm kinda new to this. Thank you!

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  10. Janber-That should read 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of mint extract. Sorry I missed the tsp. on the list of ingredients. I have corrected it. I used the mint extract found in the baking section of my grocery store. It is usually right with the vanilla.

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  11. O my gosh! I would like to lick off the green stuff and the chocolate! You are the best cook ever!

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  12. I made these, last weekend. Very, very rich and flavorful. They were a total hit with the Manface, though so sweet that I could only take them in small chunks. But what chunks they were! The combination of mint, ganache and brownie was wonderful.

    I found the 9x13 pan was a little large for the recipe. Next time, I'd like to do it smaller and thicker, so the brownie is nice and chewie-gooey instead of thin and a little cookie-ish. Mine definitely came out thinner and more bar-like that these photos look. I may have slightly overcooked the brownie, too, but that was at about 28 minutes. Mine definitely didn't require the 32-35 minutes the recipe said.

    Photo: http://twitpic.com/6qm7ec

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  13. Rhoelyn thank you for posting your comment. You are right that the 9x13 is too large for the brownie recipe I posted, it should have been 9x9. I will make the changes now. I'm so glad your family enjoyed these, they are a favorite at my house too!

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  14. Ohh my god..looks very good..I will try to cook someday..mint and chcolate is a perfect mix!

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