Luck of the Irish Peppermint Brownies

This is a fun, simple way to add a little green to a St. Patrick’s Day dessert. Whether you need a treat for your child’s class or just want to make something for the Irish holiday for your family or coworkers, this mouthwatering combination of chocolate and mint will win everyone over. And the best part is that there are only a few simple ingredients involved!

Luck of the Irish Peppermint Brownies

Ingredients:

1 box of brownie mix

1 can cream cheese frosting

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

3 to 4 drops green food coloring

5 ounces semisweet chocolate

1/2 cup heavy cream (I just used milk)

Directions: 

1. Line a 13x9-inch pan with parchment paper so that the brownies will be easy to pull out and cut. Make the brownies according to the package directions. When they come out of the oven, let them cool for about 15 minutes and then freeze them for 30 minutes (this is not necessary, especially if you’re short on time, but it will make spreading the frosting layer, without getting brownie crumbs in it, much easier!).
2. Mix 1/2 teaspoon (or more, to taste) of peppermint extract and a few drops of green food coloring into the cream cheese frosting. Spread evenly over the cooled brownies. Put the pan back into the freezer.
3. Make a chocolate ganache with 5 ounces of semisweet chocolate and 1/2 cup of heavy cream or milk. Melt slowly over low heat or in a double boiler. I was serving mine to adults only, so I also added a few splashes of crème de menthe to the chocolate ganache. Let cool slightly and drizzle or spread evenly over the frosting layer.
4. Let the chocolate set up, at room temperature, and then cut the brownies into squares.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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