December 24, 2008

• You want to give me what?

  Santa really listened to me this year, as I got the best Christmas present ever today … the gift of NEW HIRES!

  It seems all my hard work (and exasperation) is paying off. If I am grateful for anything (besides my health, family and friends) it’s THAT. No, it won’t take effect right away, but in the next month or two, I may be able to catch my breath every now and then.

  In the meantime …

  

  I am a holiday baking fool.

  Tonight’s to do: breads, cakes and of course, my FAMOUS mint chocolate fudge brownies!
  
  

  Jen’s mint chocolate fudge brownies

  Ingredients

  • 1 (19 1/2 ounce) box fudge brownie mix
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

  Peppermint Buttercream Frosting:
  

  • 1/3 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

  Chocolate Frosting
  

  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 (12 ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  Directions
  

  1. Preheat oven to 325. Then prepare a 9×9 inch baking dish by spraying lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Cut a piece of parchment paper to the width of the bottom of your pan but long enough to extend over the edge of the right and left sides of the pan.

  2. Sift brownie mix to eliminate any clumps. Then add melted butter (instead of the oil that the box recipe calls for), water, eggs and 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Mix by hand just until dry ingredients are incorporated.

  3. Pour into prepared pan. Bake according to package directions. Let cool.

  4. Beat together cup powdered sugar and 1/2 cup softened butter. Mix in another 1/2 cup powdered sugar, then add 1 tablespoon milk and peppermint and vanilla extracts. Drop in a few drops of green food coloring. Spread frosting evenly over the top. Place brownies in fridge to firm up frosting.

  5. Bring 1/3 cup milk and 1/4 cup butter almost to a boil over medium heat. Pour chocolate chips into a heat-safe bowl. Pour milk mixture over the top and let sit for 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and whisk until smooth. Use an electric mixer to beat in 1 cup powdered sugar until frosting is smooth. This will make more than you need, so remove 1/4-1/3 cup frosting and reserve for another use.

  6. Spread chocolate frosting over the white frosting on the brownies.

  7. Place back in fridge for about an hour to firm up frosting. Remove brownies from pan and slice into 9 pieces.

  What’s YOUR favorite holiday dish?

  • 12:20 am
  • 20 Comments