Chocolate Peppermint Brownies

Kneaders Double Chocolate Peppermint Brownies

Brownie

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

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

½ cup softened butter, margarine, or shortening

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

2 drops mint flavoring or to taste

1 drop pink food coloring

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.

Chocolate Ganache

½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

¼ cup heavy cream

crushed peppermint ( red and white)

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.

**I sometimes just use 2 brownie mixes and add a few extra eggs to the mix. I bake it in a large cookie sheet rather than a 9x13. These are so yummy!