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In the days before Christmas, my apartment was quite a “situation”.

There was a pumpkin butterscotch layer cake in the fridge.

About five different kinds of cookies on the counter.

Peppermint brownies on the table.

And then there was me.  Handcuffed.  To my bed.

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Just so that I wouldn’t weigh 500 pounds before the holidays took their toll on my waistline.

(Get your minds out of the gutter.  I know what you were thinking when I brought up handcuffs.  Don’t worry.  I’m equally as celibate now as I was in 2011.  And 2010.  And 2009.)  (Okay, mom.  Don’t look too sad about that.)

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Look, desperate times call for drastic measures.  And when you’ve got a hot mess situation like this going on in your kitchen.  You’d best be vacating the premises or tying yourself to something as quickly as possible.

Unless you have the metabolism of a bull or an aversion to chocolate and peppermint and pumpkin and sugar and everything good in this world.  As my brother does.*

*Yes, it’s truly unclear whether or not we’re related.  Aside from the whole we-have-the-same-eyes thing.

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Out of all those baked goods that were coming out of my oven, though.  These brownies were by far the Patrick Dempsey of the bunch (and no, I haven’t watched last night’s Grey’s Anatomy yet so no spoilers, please!)

They just had some crazy weird magnetic pull over you that kept forcing you to go over to the kitchen table and tell yourself that maybe half a brownie wasn’t so bad for you.  Every ten minutes.

In fact, even after Sophie moved out, she kept coming back to our apartment for days, ostensibly to drop off or pick up stuff that she had taken/forgotten.  But really, Soph? I think we both know what was going on.

You were brownie booty calling.  And really. I don’t blame you.

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What is so miraculous about these is not just the chocolate and peppermint combination, which, on it’s own, is amazing.  But it’s also the fact that they have milk chocolate bars baked into their center, making them a textural cross between chocolate mint fudge and chocolate mint mousse.

Eating these was honestly one of the most intense chocolate experiences of my life.  (And I’ve had quite a few intense chocolate experiences.)  And I accept every ounce I may have gained from eating them.  It was worth it.

So I know you’ve got your resolutions and all…and are on your new diets.  But dieting is silly. Let’s live healthy, moderate lives.  Eat frugally Monday through Friday…and you get to have a brownie on Saturday.

That’s just arithmetic, plain and simple.

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Peppermint Brownies
Makes a 9×13-inch tray, adapted from Annie’s Eats

Ingredients

  • 8 oz unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups AP flour
  • 4 (1.55 oz) milk chocolate bars (i.e. Hershey’s), broken into segments
  • 1 bag Hershey’s candy cane kisses, wrappers removed and coarsely chopped (or crushed candy canes if you can’t find them!)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.  Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Combine the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until completely melted and smooth.  Remove from the heat.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the chocolate mixture with the sugar and eggs until well blended.  Whisk in the peppermint and vanilla extracts and the salt.  Whisk in the flour just until incorporated.
  3. Spread half of the brownie batter into the prepared pan.  Layer with the milk chocolate pieces.  Spread the remaining batter evenly over the milk chocolate pieces.  Bake 30-35 minutes.
  4. Remove the brownies from the oven but maintain the oven temperature.  Sprinkle the chopped Candy Cane Kisses over the top of the brownies and return the pan to the oven for 3 more minutes.  Transfer to a wire cooling rack and let cool to room temperature.  Chill the brownies until the candy topping has firmed up.  Slice and serve.

I am submitting this to Bake with Bizzy!

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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116 Responses to Peppermint Brownies

  1. Colleen says:

    These look awesome! My go-to holiday baking combination this year was peppermint and chocolate. I definitely would have been sneaking part of a brownie here and there if I had made these… 🙂

  2. It’s a really good thing I’m allergic to chocolate.

  3. Elizabeth says:

    Won’t lie, not huge into peppermint and chocolate, though on occasion I am. That brownie alone looks phenomenal though.

  4. FramedCooks says:

    Peppermint? Chocolate? I’m a goner. 🙂

  5. sofia says:

    it seems like you often have these “situations” in your apartment – not a bad deal, i’d say. the fact that a roommate would EVER move out is shocking!

  6. Amy says:

    These look delicious, decadent, and also very festive. I’m a big fan of mint + chocolate.

  7. Yes, this brownie deserves a bootie call…it is fantastic! YUUUUM.

  8. bellini says:

    These take brownies o new heights Joanne. They look as though I could have picked them up at my local bakery.

  9. Barbara says:

    But I’ve got to diet to get back to the point where I can eat with moderation! 🙂
    Love peppermint and chocolate together, Joanne.
    Happy New Year to you!

  10. Mary says:

    Oooooh, candy cane kisses! That is brilliant. I was trying to imagine big bites of crunchy candy cane and this, oh my, this sounds heavenly. And SO not happening in this house anytime soon. They have officially been pinned though. YUM!

  11. Um, what? These are amazing… I love the idea of extra chocolate in the center! And if I had known these were in your kitchen I would have been over every day, too.

  12. Danielle says:

    Brownies are my favorite reason to enjoy dessert – love a good brownie booty call.

  13. I see the most fabulous brownies first thing in the morning all I can do is stare at them. I WISH I HAD SOME! Not one, some 🙂

  14. Amy says:

    Oh, I have these printed out from last month! I’m not even a big peppermint fan unless it’s in the form of a york peppermint patty, but these definitely got my attention. Alas, I never got around to them. Because we ended up eating all the Hershey’s kisses *ahem*. Now that the holidays are over, I don’t know if the stores still carry them…

  15. When I tweated you yesterday and I chose brownies, I was wrong! I would need to be handcuffed, locked down, blind folded in order for me to stay away from these brownies! Dam Girl! These look hella a good! The sad thing is I have all the ingredients in my house!

    Sigh… I have a stupid dentist appointment today! I think I should cancel and go home and make these yummy looking brownies!

    Have a great weeekend!!

  16. Mary says:

    Joanne, they sound irresistible. Peppermint and chocolate were made for each other and I’ll wager these are wonderful. They wouldn’t last a day with my gang. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  17. Faith says:

    That is definitely math I can live with, lol! There’s always room for a brownie on the weekend, my dear! These look incredible.

  18. Miranda says:

    Wow, those are beautiful. I love that you used the Hershey’s candy cane kisses instead of candy canes.

  19. That Girl says:

    The “situation” in your apartment sounds like a truly enjoyable one.

  20. Lyndsey says:

    I would be dropping by often too! They look amazing. I will not diet, never had, but then I don’t like to over eat…but I love good food. I like the idea of weekend treats for sure!

  21. These are so pretty!! My kids love peppermint, any time of the year!

    I think I would have had to hide that pumpkin butterscotch layer cake!

  22. patsy says:

    I’d be casually dropping by for some of those brownies if it wasn’t a pain for me to get into the city!

  23. You’ve marketed them well, I just hope a few slices mysteriously appear in front of me.

  24. Shannon says:

    woah, intense indeed. and I’d like a small square, please… stat 😉

  25. Nicole, RD says:

    Can I get a brownie booty call? YUM!

  26. I love peppermints in any and everything- my hot chocolate, my water and now my brownies! Love this

  27. These look absolutely sinful. In an absolutely wonderful way.

  28. Jenna says:

    I think the phrase “one of the most intense chocolate experiences of my life” has us all sold.

  29. wait a minute you run like 1000 miles a day and you don’t have the metabolism of a teenager? oh yes you do–you’re waaay thinner than I.

  30. Megan says:

    Yup. These are going on the to-make list.

  31. MM says:

    Truthfully, I don’t like candy cane kisses. But I’d go for a brownie booty call with these babies because of the chocolate baked in the middle. Oh yeah, that little detail caught my eye.

  32. Christy says:

    Oh, wow. I will need handcuffs also when I make these! We are having the “last party of the season” – an Epiphany party tomorrow night and I am so making these as the centerpiece to the dessert table!! Yum!

  33. Beth says:

    Joanne, my daughters are chocolate and mint addicts, and they will LOVE these brownies. I can’t wait to make them. (P.S. I hope to see that cake recipe another day!)

  34. Beautiful photos – and even a candy cane dish to present it on! Simply divine…
    YUM!
    Valerie

  35. OMG Joanne, you’ll kill me with your AWESOME recipes! This one looks yummy AND beautiful. (Oh, wait a minute, like all the other recipes you post!)

    Love,
    Camila Faria

  36. Considering I gained my holiday weight from JUST eating those candy cane kisses making these would probably send me into a diabetic state faster than I could blink my eyes. However, I already have plans to make them on Sunday. I like your arithmetic.

  37. Oh meh God!! Haha, those brownies look insanely good, Joanne! Peppermint candies and chocolate- seriously, what more can a girl ask for?! 😉

    Happy New Year!!

    xoxo,
    Tammy <3

  38. I’m definitely saving this recipe for next Christmas! These look wonderful!

  39. mint brownies are about my favorite kind of brownies. these are beautiful!

  40. If I were to crack, this is what I would be eating, Joanne… they look too good to resist!

  41. ~Bee says:

    I am a BIG fan of mint chocolate 🙂 I’ll miss the candy cane kisses when they’re out of stores though!

  42. Sippity Sup says:

    That’s just pure evil! Am I smiling? GREG

  43. I was sooo all about chocolate and mint during the holidays! I love that you are busting these out in January. We could all use a treat now and again, even if resolutions are at their prime!

  44. Hotly Spiced says:

    What a great story! Your poor mother – waiting year after year for a Patrick Dempsey type to fall into your life. I do believe he just might turn up in 2012. Probably under the pretense of needing a chocolate peppermint brownie.

  45. My husbands favorite combo in sweets is either brown sugar and butter or chocolate and peppermint. Quick question. How many miles do I need to run per square? hahaha. chocolate bars baked into the center! You’re rebellious.I like it.

  46. Pam says:

    I’ll be honest, my mind went directly to the gutter. Loving these brownies… I don’t think they could get any better!

  47. Rachana says:

    Chocolate and mint is my absolute fav combination and these brownies look awesome…

  48. tafino says:

    wow incredible recipt. For sure I will try in my next family meeting dinner. thank you!

  49. vianney says:

    “brownie booty calling,” OMG, love ya!! these brownies look insane!! you can’t go wrong with peppermint and chocolate!

  50. Lora says:

    Brownie Booty call hahaha. Love it. These look AH. MAY. ZING!

  51. These are the brownies!!! I SO made them after talking to you on twitter & I loved them! I couldn’t get enough 🙂

  52. Johanna GGG says:

    I wish I had been in your apartment before christmas though I don’t think I would have been the model of self control – sounds like an amazing bake fest and those brownies look just the right amount of fudgy gooey chocolate for me, plus the kisses are so gorgeous on top – probably just as well we don’t have them

  53. There has to be some kind of brownie contest you could enter these in because they are a sure fire winner!

  54. Debbie says:

    Love, love and do you hear me LOVE those brownies!!!

  55. Claudia says:

    Tempting me in January when I am trying to have resolve is just evil.

  56. peachkins says:

    Oh gosh, Can I borrow those handcuffs? I love how these brownies LOOK!!!

  57. Absolutely drool worthy!! YUM!!

  58. Reeni says:

    All my willpower just melted away! These are two sides of heaven! Candy cane kisses rock.

  59. teresa says:

    these pictures are literally killing me. you have found my absolute weakness, and you made them look as delicious as humanly possible. i loved your creme de menthe brownies from last year and i will love these this year…in a month…when i’m done with this crazy diet. YUUUUUM!

  60. Kristen says:

    Aha! Looking at the photos, I knew there was something extra in those brownies. Now that I have seen the recipe, I see the chocolate bar beckoning to me. This is a mighty wonderful looking brownie, Joanne. Mighty wonderful.

  61. Hannah says:

    Good thinking- I would need to be locked up if I was left alone with a pan of these brownies, too! Mint + chocolate is a serious weakness of mine, and these sound particularly heavenly.

  62. Julie says:

    Okay my mind went straight to the gutter with the handcuffs comment. 🙂 Not sure what that says about me since I only see one other comment that says the same thing. I think that means the two of us are honest, no one else would admit it.

    These look SO good! I love the idea of making them with peppermint kisses.

  63. Oh my goodness these brownies look amazing!!

  64. kyleen says:

    I saw that first picture of the brownies and I smiled! They looks so deliciously fudgy and rich. I totally wouldn’t mind gaining a few pounds from these bad boys.

  65. Tessa says:

    True story: We ran into a Dad and daughter combo at the store on Christmas Eve hunting for those peppermint kisses to make brownies. You know how the holiday isles looked by that time… I had happened to find what seemed to be the last bag and gave it up as they certainly needed and we were just planning to eat them. Now I’m sad we don’t have them!

    These brownies look great. My mom makes a kind with chocolate in the middle too, and it’s amazing. Too bad I don’t have those kisses!

  66. Sanjeeta kk says:

    Ooo..peppermint in Brownies..looks like am gonna have a double treat this week end!

  67. Patrick Dempsey eh?…. I will remember that when I see a peppermint brownies next time 🙂

  68. The handcuffs may actually help with the celibacy! lol. Delicious looking brownies. Love mint and chocolate.

  69. Norma Chang says:

    Like your philosophy, “…But dieting is silly. Let’s live healthy, moderate lives. Eat frugally Monday through Friday…and you get to have a brownie on Saturday.”
    Love peppermint candies and love chocolate, this combo is just irrestible.

  70. marla says:

    These swirly whirly brownies look like way too much FUN!! Chocolate & peppermint are always a blissful combo 🙂

  71. Chocolate and peppermint is one of my favorite flavor combinations and I would have a very hard time resisting these brownies (some kind of restraints would be necessary for me, too).

  72. Marcia says:

    Wow, those look delicious! I’ve been hitting the chocolate too hard though.

  73. Candace says:

    I knew I should have just passed on by this one and waited until you posted a wonderful sweet potato or squash and/or grain recipe; but nooooo….I missed you….and here I am. These look amazing and are definitely not helping the sugar detox I’m doing this week. Ugggh. If only I had just one…..peppermint and chocolate are the best. 🙂

  74. Gloria says:

    Joanne are amazing and dleicious look these:))
    Im agree with you (lol)

  75. Chris says:

    Whew! For a second I was horrified and worried for you. I thought you said that Michael “The Situtation” Sorrentino had you handcuffed and was thinking that must be against the Geneva Convention as cruel and unusual treatment.

    Brownie booty call…..you are so hilarious.

  76. Deborah says:

    If you are going to eat something sweet, this is definitely the way to go!!

  77. I’ve discovered a new love for chocolate + peppermint. I would surely weigh 500 pounds if I acted on it as often as I want to! These look soo yummy!

    P.S. I wanna see emo photos of you with bleach blonde hilights…. 😉

  78. Miriam says:

    “Brownie booty calling?” I love it :), and really I would be too!! They look more than amazing :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

  79. Nicole says:

    chocolate + mint is one of my absolute favorite combinations!! these look incredible. every picture you post makes me what to inhale the food you’ve made!! you’ve got skills!

  80. gosh..you have me at some peppermint brownies at 630am early morning! They look so dang gorgeous!

  81. Shannon says:

    Those look AMAZING! Must try them sometime!

  82. daphne says:

    Oh yeah! I am with you sista! These brownies deserve the calories!!!

  83. Great combo and looks tempting!

  84. I’m trying to be good so that I can fit into my clothes for an upcoming vacation and then I see this great photo. The recipe sounds great.

  85. Oh, sure… post your decadent peppermint brownies on the weekend when I have more time to get in to BIG trouble!! 🙂 Hee.hee, these look awesome Joanne!

  86. grace says:

    SENSATIONAL. i too would require handcuffs to keep myself away from these. 🙂

  87. YOU HAD ME AT PEPPERMINT!!!!!

    sorry for the caps. i’m just really passionate about peppermint.

    🙂

    xo Alison

  88. I read a post from “Flavors of the Sun” and came over to visit and also to subscribe. Will be looking at your posts. I am also a New Yorker living in the West Village/Soho.

    Norma

  89. Carolyn Jung says:

    Brownie booty calling! LOL I love it! Hey, who can blame her. We’d all be doing that if we knew where you lived. Hah.

  90. These are my kind of brownies!

  91. Kerstin says:

    Yum, wish I had one of these right now! I think we should all start enjoying peppermint and chocolate year round and not just at the holidays because they are just so perfect together 🙂

  92. I saw this linked to Bizzy and I knew I was in trouble. Now, I find you tied to your bed. I must really be in trouble and I haven’t made these luscious goodies yet.

  93. I might be in love. I have an extra bag of Andes mint peppermint chips that is sitting in my fridge. There’s no rule about peppermint brownies after Christmas is there? 😉

  94. I like all kind of brownies. Wondered how it is so tasty. Thanks for sharing the recipe here. I will definitely give a try.
    Keep posting!

  95. Oh wow. You are a temptress, my dear!
    I’d come by for brownie booty calls too.
    And you’ll be happy to know my son is single again, although currently unemployed and in my basement… which probably knocks down his appeal somewhat… 😉

  96. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne, These do look so very good!!! Blessings, Catherine xo

  97. I see these brownies and my heart races with the passion of a song from Wicked. I must make these… but I’ve to to wait at least a month or two or I won’t be able to sit down without unbuttoning my pants. And I’m not ready to be Al Bundy yet.

  98. Juliana says:

    Wow, love these brownies…nice with a layer of peppermint candies 🙂

  99. Lori says:

    That whole handcuffing to the bed thing sounds like a good idea. That’s about what it takes to keep me away from something like these brownies! Makes me want to rush out and see if I can still find some candy cane kisses in the clearance aisle!

  100. Mmm. What an awesome brownie recipe. They look great.

  101. Mo 'Betta says:

    You have much more willpower than I…I really want to dive my face into that plate of brownies.

  102. elly says:

    Gah, I am so behind on my google reading! These look fabulous. I bookmarked them when Shawnda posted them, but you have improved them tenfold with the candy cane kisses on top – you know I can’t resist those!

  103. Jackie says:

    Yum! I am so glad I found these! A friend of my sisters had bought some Ghirardelli chocolate peppermint bark squares back from a trip to the States for everyone to try and she saved one for me. We don’t get Ghirardelli chocolate here so it was a real treat. But these look even more delicious and since I love brownie they are just perfect, and what’s more I even have some candy canes leftover from Christmas! Thank you 🙂

  104. Ooo yum love that there’s chocolate bars layered in the brownie!

  105. […] the Web: Peppermint Brownies from Eats Well With Others Chewy Jumbo Double Chocolate Candy Cane Kiss Cookies from Lauren’s […]

  106. Julie G. says:

    This is what I’m baking this weekend. What a crowd pleaser peppermint can be!

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