When I first moved into my home 31 years ago, it was a new neighborhood with young families and lots of activity. And one of the activities that we all looked forward to was my friend Karen’s cookie exchange in the month of December. She would ask all of us to make 10 – 12 dozens of cookies, and when we gathered, we picked numbers from a basket, and these numbers correlated to rounds for selecting one dozen cookies at a time. Of course, the most popular cookies went first, like Lydia’s Linzer cookies, Diane’s chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz crackers, or Lori’s chocolate dipped Lace cookies.

During those years, I worked full time and long hours, and my boys were school age, with lots of extra-curricular activities and homework challenges. The house needed decorating, I was trying to shop for holiday gifts, and we had Holiday commitments many days that month. I think so many of you can relate! And, I always struggled to make my cookies in time for the exchange! 10 – 12 dozen is no easy feat!

So I had to get smart about it. What could I do that had some green or red color, was simple to make, and had everyday ingredients? CHOCOLATE MINT BROWNIES! I could make them in one pan, cut them up into bite size squares, and they looked and tasted amazing! Crisis avoided!

This recipe calls for a homemade brownie batter, and it really is so easy to make. But honestly, you could substitute a boxed brownie mix and that would work fine! after the brownies cool, there’s a layer of icing made with 10X sugar and butter, and Crème de Menthe liqueur, (preferably green), but you can use white Crème de Menthe and just add green food color. Spread this on top of the brownies, just like you would icing on a cake.

Next is a layer of melted semi-sweet chocolate chips and what else, more butter! Do you see a theme going on here? After melting the chips and butter in the microwave, stir until all melted, and just pour on this rich chocolate topping, gently spreading across the top of the brownie icing.

Let the brownies melted chips set up and harden, and then slice into bite size squares! If I am making them for a party, I will put each bite size square into a small muffin cup and serve on a platter.

I love these brownies because they are rich and decadent, and they make a festive presentation for the Holidays! And, EVERYONE LOVES THEM! I can’t keep my husband and kids away from them! I have to hide them!

So listen, the most important thing to do when the Holidays begin to become stressful is to take a deep breath, and realize you don’t have to do it all yourself! It’s OK to cheat a little on cookies for a cookie exchange, (or don’t bring any at all like I did one year, and just grab a bottle of wine and enjoy the social get together)! It’s OK to ask for help! Hand your list to your spouse or an older child and have them do some shopping, baking or decorating!

And I hope you get a chance to try these CHOCOLATE MINT BROWNIES! I know you’ll LOVE them!

Until next time….

Let’s get cookin’ and bakin’

Madeline 

Print Recipe

Chocolate Mint Brownies

This sweet treat takes brownies to the next level! Great for a bite size Holiday dessert, these brownies will melt in your mouth, tasting rich and decadent! Using everyday ingredients and a special surprise in the icing layer, you'll make these over and over again all year 'round!

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time40 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: All

Keyword: bitesizedessert, brownie, browniedessert, chocolatedessert, CremedeMenthe, holidaydessert, homemadebrownie, richbrownie

Servings: 48 people

Author: Madeline Kohler

Equipment

• Hand or Stand Mixer
• Large, medium and small mixing bowls
• 9" x 13" glass dish

Ingredients

Brownie Batter

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup butter (1 stick) softened
• 16 ounces Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup flour

Crème de Menthe Icing

• ½ cup butter (1 stick) softened
• 2 cups confectioner's sugar (10x)
• 2 tbsps Crème de Menthe Liqueur (preferably green) you can substitute white Crème de Menthe and add 3 drops of green food coloring

Melted Chocolate Topping

• 6 tbsps butter, softened
• 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Brownie Batter

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Beat butter and sugar until smooth.
• Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until smooth.
• Add chocolate syrup, beating until well blended.
• Add flour and salt, beating until all ingredients are well combined.
• Pour batter into the greased glass dish.
• Bake for 40 minutes until center is set and cooked through.
• Set aside and let cool.

Crème de Menthe Icing

• Beat the butter, confectioner's sugar and Crème de Menthe until smooth.
• Spread onto the cooled brownies, carefully spreading the icing until fully covered. Don't worry too much if some of the brownie topping comes up as you ice them. The chocolate topping will cover this up.

Melted Chocolate Topping

• Melt chocolate chips and butter on high in the microwave for 45 - 60 seconds, stopping after 30 seconds, and stirring. After another 15 seconds, stir until all the chocolate chips are melted.
• Spread the melted chocolate mixture over the icing, gently spreading until fully covered.
• Let the chocolate topping set up until the topping is firm.
• Slice into bite size squares and serve on a platter or place the squares into a mini muffin cup before plating.

Notes