Frosted Mint Brownies

Who doesn't love a good mint brownie?  The chocolate and mint flavor combination is a classic for a reason.  The refreshing bright flavor of the mint cuts the richness of the chocolate perfectly.  And that is definitely true for these brownies.  The brownie base has the perfect amount of fudgy flavor without being too rich, and the mint frosting is perfectly creamy.  The final finish of chocolate drizzle on top really puts it over the top--plus it just looks so pretty!

Frosted Mint Brownies

Number of Servings: 24
Time to Prepare: 2 hours 15 minutes

• 9 oz semisweet chocolate chips
• 15 Tbsp butter
• 1 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp sugar
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 5 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 Tbsp creme de menthe
• green food coloring
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tsp shortening
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Coat a 9x13 pan with baking spray and set aside.

Melt 9 oz chocolate chips and 15 Tbsp butter in large saucepan over medium-low heat until completely smooth, stirring very frequently to keep from burning.  Remove from heat and whisk in sugar and vanilla.  Add the eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each one before adding the next.  Keep stirring until the mixture is completely smooth.

Add the flour, salt, and baking powder, with the salt and baking powder on top of the flour, and stir until well combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan; bake until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with wet crumbs, around 50 minutes.

Cool to room temperature.

In a small bowl, beat the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup butter, and crème de menthe until smooth.  Add food coloring to reach desired color.  Spread evenly over the cooled brownies, then chill until set.

While frosting sets, melt 1/3 cup chocolate chips and shortening together in a small saucepan over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract. Drizzle over the mint topping and chill until set.  Cut into 24 pieces to serve.

Source: brownies adapted from Everyday Reading, mint topping adapted from All Recipes