Peppermint Patty Brownies for Fun

What's Going on Today: Errands! Library, dry cleaner, playground break (wearing a purple tutu of course.)

Naptime Goals: Laundry, Carrot Souffle, Peppermint Patty Brownies.

Tonight's Dinner: Uncle Will's Ribs, Souffle, Bread, Brownies for dessert.

Parenting Lesson of the Day: Sometimes it's a good idea to let them pick out their own outfits, sometimes it's not.

I've been on a bit of a brownie kick lately. I'm not sure why, but I guess one doesn't really need an excuse to bake brownies. They are perfect in both winter and summer, served warm or chilled. On occasion I've been known to swirl in caramel, cream cheese or jam, and other times I've added espresso powder and chocolate chips. This week I decided to top them with a layer of peppermint icing. I've always loved the flavors of chocolate and mint together and this brownie is one it's best iterations.

I call these Peppermint Patty Brownies for the obvious reason, they taste just like my favorite York, only a million times better. Each bite brings with it a deep chocolate taste and icy mint chill that's decadent and refreshing all at once. I made these the other day mostly for fun. You know I like to always have a sweet nibble around the house and these brownies just happened to be what I was craving that day.

Baking the brownies during my daughter's naptime was a snap. Since they shouldn't be frosted until completely cooled, I made the peppermint and chocolate icings while the brownies were baking and kept them in the fridge until later that afternoon. The brownies had cooled by then and I frosted them while the ribs were on the grill. Thankfully my daughter was deeply involved in her doodling while I did this, lest she have spotted me and insisted on licking the spatula and ruining her dinner. I introduced them after she cleaned her plate and we all enjoyed our fun family dessert.

Peppermint Patty Brownies

2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
2 t. pure vanilla extract
2 T. cocoa powder
1 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

For the icing:

2 1/2 c. confectioner's sugar

3 T. milk

3/4 t. peppermint extract

For the chocolate topping:

1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 stick (4 T.) unsalted butter

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Melt butter and chocolate together. I use the microwave, heating it in short intervals so the butter doesn't explode. Mix together until fully combined. Cool slightly.
3. Beat together eggs, vanilla, sugar and cocoa powder in a mixer until combined. Add chocolate mixer, beat until just combined.
4. Finally, add flour, baking powder and salt to the chocolate mixture and mix until the batter is totally incorporated. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl and the bottom of the bowl to make sure it all comes together.
5. Pour batter into butter 13x9 baking pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until knife inserted in the batter comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before icing.

6. To make the mint icing: whisk together confectioner's sugar, milk and mint extract until completely smooth. Spread a thin layer on top of the cooled brownies.

7. To make the chocolate topping: Melt chocolate chips and butter in a microwave until chocolate is melted. Swirl together with a wooden spoon and allow to cool slightly. Spread it on top of the mint icing. Cut brownies into squares and serve.

Naptime Notes:

Naptime Recipe Serving Ideas: Since chocolate-mint are often considered holiday flavors it would be fun to sprinkle these with red, white and green candies and serve them at Christmas parties. Alternatively, leave the brownies in the pan, add some candles and serve them as a birthday cake.

Naptime Stopwatch: Making the batter takes about 15 minutes. Making the icing and chocolate topping takes about 10 minutes.

Naptime Reviews: If you don't like mint these are not the brownies for you. If you do like mint, you will love these.