Friday, October 01, 2010

12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies... week 1



I'm joining April at Abby Sweets for 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies... mmmm!  For the next 12 Fridays, several bloggers will post a Christmas cookie recipe on the Abby Sweets blog.  Just think of all the yummy new recipes I will have in time for Christmas!  


Check out the links at the bottom of this post for other yummy recipes!




This week, I made mint brownies.  Years ago, I got this recipe from my Mom.  It's been an old standby since... easy to make... delicious to eat... impressive to look at... and my college BFF's favorite!


These brownies are easy to make and very rich to eat.  Adding a few of these small bars to a plate of Christmas cookies gives color and dimension to make it festive.


I didn't really allow myself enough time for these to properly set up before trying to get a picture of them.  I definitely recommend giving the brownies plenty of time to cool and then plenty of time to set up before removing them from your pan.

MINT BROWNIES

BROWNIES:
4-1 oz squares baking chocolate
3/4 c. butter
2 c. sugar
3 eggs 
1 t. vanilla
1 c. flour

Foil line a 9 x 13 inch pan and spray liberally with non-stick spray.

In a microwavable bowl, add 4 squares of bakers chocolate with 3/4 c. butter.  Microwave for 2 minutes.  Remove from microwave and stir gently until all chocolate is melted. 

Stir in sugar and eggs, mixing well.  Add vanilla and flour and stir until completely mixed.  The batter will be very runny.

Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 min or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.  Do not over bake.  Cool completely.

MINT LAYER:
2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 T. water
1/2 t. mint extract
green food coloring

Beat until smooth.  Spread on cooled brownies.  Cool until stiff.

CHOCOLATE TOPPING:
1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 T. butter

microwave for 1 minute.  Stir until completely melted.  Gently spread on top of mint layer.  Cool slightly.  

Remove foil from pan and cut into small bars before chocolate is completely set.

18 comments:

  1. Mint and chocolate are a great combo to me. :)Can't wait to see what all you come up with. I have emailed you a couple of times, but not sure if it is the right email? Would you email me at aprilsattic@comcast.net and I will send you the linky info. Thanks!

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  2. That is so weird. . .I went to link up at Gather Inspirit at the same time you did. . .must be a sister thing!!

    I loved your post on Eric. . . he looks so much like Chad in that last picture!

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  3. Oh yum, my son would LOVE these (and so would I!). I'm bookmarking this recipe, it looks fabulous. I'm not waiting until Christmas to make them though. :o)

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  4. The color makes it so festive and I know this would be my daughters favorite!

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  5. These look amazing! I am so glad you shared them - there is nothing like mint around Christmas - I will definitely be trying these!

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  6. With brownies that look that delicious I'm not sure I could have waited for them to set up either. It would have been a great temptation not to eat the brownies right out of the oven.

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  7. Wow, these brownies look really good. I love the combination of Chocolate and mint. Brownies are one of my family's favorite desserts.

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  8. D'lish! I have always loved Mint Brownies....yours looks wonderful!

    Looking forward to baking with you (and the rest of the group) for the next couple of months. :-)

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  9. Great, classic holiday flavors! Love mint brownies.

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  10. Brownies? Mint bars? Whatever you call them, they looks delicious. I wish I had one now, because it would be the perfect after-dinner dessert.

    Well, in my book, dessert comes at any time of day! :)

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  11. I love mint anything. Looks delicious.

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  12. These sound fabulous, I love chocolate and mint! Look forward to baking along with you the next 12 weeks :)

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  13. I've been making something similar for years but I use creme de menthe instead of green food coloring- so good and I always tell people there is alcohol in them!

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  14. Mmm, those remind me of the ones from Starbucks! They look awesome!

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  15. You know, I've always wanted to make a mint brownie and I just never have. I'm definitely going to have to try. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. it's oozing with mint!=D
    maybe i'll try this someday.
    can't resist chocolate + mint.
    hehehe

    Buy WoW Death Knight Accounts

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  17. I'd have a hard time waiting to cut into these beauties too!

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Thank you for your kind words!