Double Chocolate Peppermint 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

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.

Ingredients: 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.

Ingredients: 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.

From Kneaders, a fantastic Utah bakery! Photo courtesy of abc4.com.