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Lightly sweet, dense chocolate brownies topped with melted white chocolate and crushed peppermints for a simple, easy and tasty dessert to help celebrate the holiday season.
During the last few weeks we’ve shared some new recipes hoping you’ll find something perfect for your next get together. To add one more to your must-try list, today we’re featuring a wonderful brownie that’s not too sweet but sturdy enough to hold up under a layer of white chocolate and crushed peppermints. The brownies will keep for several days but the crushed peppermint gets a little “melted” so these are best served within a day or two of baking.
Most of all, good quality white chocolate will make a big difference here. For some reason I’m not crazy about white chocolate chips when melted for a topping. I love them in cookies and bars but not as a topping. To me, white chocolate chips seem overly sweet and oily. Maybe I’ve not been buying the right brands. Anyway, bars of good white chocolate like Ghirardelli or a more expensive brand will be best here. Here’s a good article on What to Look for When Buying White Chocolate from The Kitchn.
The combination of chocolate and peppermint is wonderful in these little bars. However, it doesn’t take much peppermint to seal the deal, and honestly they’re a little easier to slice and eat if the peppermint is crushed fine.
Don’t forget to PIN to your favorite holiday baking board!
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick or 1/2 cup)
- 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 6 ounces chopped good quality white chocolate, bar not chips
- 1 6-inch candy cane, crushed fine
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper making a sling so the ends hang over the side. Fit another piece parchment going in the opposite direction so the entire pan is lined. Lightly spray the parchment with vegetable baking spray. Set aside.
- In a small microwave safe bowl, combine the butter and chopped bittersweet chocolate. Microwave on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Stir until all chocolate is melted then add the espresso powder. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the sugar, eggs, vanilla, baking powder and salt until combined. Add the melted chocolate mixture and whisk until incorporated. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the flour just until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, but no raw batter.
- Place the pan on a rack and immediately sprinkle the chopped white chocolate all over the top. Allow the chocolate to soften a few minutes then spread with an offset spatula. Immediately sprinkle the crushed peppermint over the white chocolate.
- Cool the brownies for at least 2 hours then using the parchment paper sling, remove the brownies from the pan. Cut into 16 pieces before serving.
inspired by a recipe in America's Test Kitchen
Use good quality white chocolate bars, not white chocolate chips
Espresso powder can be found in the coffee section of your local grocery store.
Brownies are best eaten within the first few days after baking.
For cleaner cuts through the white chocolate, warm a thin knife under hot water, then dry, and gently slice the brownies. Wipe the knife between cuts to remove crumbs.
Here are a few more peppermint recipes you might enjoy:
- Peppermint Pie
- Peppermint-Ice Cream
- Peppermint Bark ~ from The View from Great Island
- Peppermint-Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting ~ from Cooking Classy
Finally, just two weeks to go my friends! Are you ready? I’m not … but getting closer. Happy Monday and thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful week.
Tricia
I love this twist on classic brownies for the holidays! The combination of mint and chocolate is so delightful and just says Christmas! I’m getting ready to make my yearly batch of candy cane cookies covered in crushed peppermint candies.
Mmmm, peppermint! And brownies. Two words that absolutely need to be paired together. 🙂 These look fantastic — very creative. BTW, I’m taking off the rest of the year, so I’d like to wish you happy holidays!
Happy holidays to you and the Mrs. too! Thanks so much for stopping by.
I wish I had a candy cane! I would make these for an after school treat tomorrow….maybe I will go buy one:)You are a great baker/cook/photographer!
Thank you Monique – for everything!!!!
Awesome! Hard to beat peppermint and with chocolate it’s over the top. Great brownies, Tricia! Take care
Thanks Pam – you too!
I am not much of a peppermint fan but your brownies look wonderful . Tricia, you are such a good baker and cook.
Thanks Gerlinde. It is a good flavor combination for sure. Have a lovely week and thanks for stopping by!
Such great flavours all combined in one delicious square! I love white chocolate with peppermint. And add in the brownie and it’s perfection 🙂
Thanks Jennifer – peppermint and chocolate is a wonderful combination!
Peppermint Bark is my favorite holiday treat, so these are right up my alley! They look so good I have the urge to run to the kitchen and bake up a batch, and I haven’t even had breakfast 🙂
Haha – I may or may not know for sure that these make a great breakfast. I’ll be glad when all these tempting treats are gone! Have a wonderful week and thanks!
These are so pretty.! My son would gobble them up in a heartbeat. I feel bad I haven’t had a chance to make these peppermint brownies I usually make this time of year for him…this is a reminder I’ll have to make it up when things settle down. I love how your brownies looked like peppermint bark at first. So very festive. And I’ve always wondered if William Sonoma spray their candy bits or use a special one of some sort that doesn’t melt! I have the same issue.
Thanks Monica. Your son has good taste 🙂 and I’m sure he is a good taste tester! Hope things settle down in your kitchen soon. It’s a long process and a messy one too. Enjoy your new kitchen!
They are so pretty with white chocolate and peppermint bits!
Thanks Angie – hope you’re ready for the holidays!
Wow! You have been baking up a storm Tricia. Another delicious treat, your family must be in heaven. Brilliant idea to crumble the peppermints on top.
Thanks Cheri! Happy baking to you 🙂
These look fabulous! I think they might be a delicious change of pace from the peppermint bark I make each year 🙂
I’ve never made peppermint bark Liz – but it always looks wonderful. Homemade seems to be the way to go because I see bark in the stores and it’s so expensive. Great gift too!
Oh yes! A beautiful dessert addition to the holiday feast. Love it! My family is crazy about brownies.
Velva
Hi Velva! Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season – thanks for stopping by!
You are blowing me away with all of your beautiful Christmas treats, Tricia! Your house must look like Santa’s village, lol.
I truly admire your baking skills and I bet your family can’t wait to get home to taste all your goodies!
You are so sweet Robyn! I truly enjoy baking so much more than cooking. Thanks for stopping by!
Oh boy ! We are drooling over these peppermint brownies!! Yum!
Thanks ladies! Quick and easy is always good this time of year. Happy baking!