Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Chocolate Lovers' Mint Brownies

I begged and begged my neighbor for this recipe. They are the most delicious mint brownies I've ever tasted. I should have taken a picture after I made them, but I took a bunch of them visiting teaching, and when I came home, they were all gone!

Chocolate Brownie:
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
4 eggs (room temperature, if you have time)
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup broken walnuts or pecans (I leave these out, since my husband doesn't like them)

In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in the egg until well blended, then add melted chocolate. Mix dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture along with vanilla and nuts. Spread into a greased 9X13 pan and bake at 325 for 30 to 35 minutes. Do not over bake. Cool slightly

Mint Frosting:
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons evaporated milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
green or red food coloring

Mix ingredients until creamy and spread on brownies. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Glaze topping:
6 tablespoons butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine butter and chocolate chips in a heavy pan or double boiler. Add vanilla and blend thoroughly. Pour gently over the frosting and spread by tipping the pan before the glaze cools. Refrigerate.

I know, I know, you're thinking, "Of course these are good! They have almost a pound of butter in them." Well yes, they are, and that's what friends and neighbors are for--sharing the calories.