Easy Peppermint Bark Brownies: A Festive Treat to Sweeten Your Day!

Are you ready to swoop into a world where chocolatey goodness meets the refreshing zing of peppermint? Let's talk well-nigh peppermint bark brownies - a treat that's not just a dessert, it's an experience! Imagine sinking your teeth into a fudgy pixie base, topped with linty peppermint frosting and crunchy peppermint pieces. Sounds divine, right? Well, buckle up, considering we're well-nigh to embark on a culinary venture that'll leave your taste buds dancing with joy!

Why We Love Peppermint Bark Brownies

There's something magical well-nigh the combination of chocolate and peppermint, isn't there? It's like they were meant to be together. Peppermint bark brownies are the nonpareil of this delightful duo. They bring the coziness of archetype brownies and the festive cheer of peppermint bark together in one irresistible package. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy winter nights, or just considering you deserve a treat (yes, you do!), these brownies are a crowd-pleaser that never fails to impress.

The eyeful of peppermint bark brownies lies not just in their taste but moreover in their versatility. Whether you're a sultry novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe is a walkover to whip up, and the result is unchangingly stunning. Plus, the combination of textures - the soft, rich pixie with the smooth, minty frosting and the crunch of peppermint pieces - creates a symphony in your mouth. Each zest is a perfect wastefulness of flavors, making these brownies a go-to recipe for anyone looking to add a little pizzazz to their dessert spread.

Equipment Needed

Before we jump into the world of peppermint and chocolate, let's make sure you've got all the tools you need. Nothing fancy required here, just a few kitchen essentials:

1. 9x9 inch sultry dish - The perfect size for getting those peppermint bark brownies just right.
2. Parchment paper - A baker's weightier friend for non-stick goodness.
3. Medium-sized mixing bowls - One for dry ingredients, one for wet.
4. Whisk and spatula - For mixing and smoothing out that succulent batter.
5. Stand mixer (or hand mixer) - For whipping up that dreamy peppermint frosting.
6. Measuring cups and spoons - Accuracy is key in baking!

With these tools in hand, you're ready to conquer the peppermint bark brownies world!

Ingredients

Let's gather our ingredients! For these peppermint bark brownies, we're splitting our list into two parts - one for the brownies, and one for the heavenly peppermint frosting.

For the Brownies:

• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cups cocoa powder (sifted)
• ½ cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Peppermint Frosting:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)
• 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• Peppermint pieces for topping

With these ingredients, you're set to make some of the most scrumptious peppermint bark brownies that have overly graced your kitchen!

Directions

Alright, aprons on and let's get baking! Here's your step-by-step guide to making these delectable peppermint bark brownies:

For the Brownies:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9x9 inch sultry dish with parchment paper for easy pixie removal later.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In flipside bowl, mix together eggs, canola oil, water, and vanilla extract.
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be gentle - overmixing is a no-no!
5. Bake: Spread the thrash evenly in the prepared sultry dish. Torch for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool: Patience is key! Let the brownies tomfool completely in the pan.

For the Peppermint Frosting:

1. Mix It Up: In your stand mixer, combine softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and peppermint extract. Start slow to stave a powdered sugar snowstorm!
2. Whip It Good: Gradually increase the speed and mix until smooth and creamy.

Assembly:

1. Frost: Spread the frosting evenly over your cooled brownies.
2. Sprinkle: Add peppermint pieces on top for that uneaten minty crunch.
3. Slice and Serve: Lift the brownies out using the parchment paper, cut into squares, and get ready to watch them disappear!

Tips for Perfect Peppermint Bark Brownies

Achieving the perfect peppermint bark brownies is an art, but with these tips, you're sure to impress:

1. Quality Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients makes a huge difference. Opt for good-quality cocoa powder and real vanilla pericope for a richer flavor.
2. Room Temperature Eggs: This might seem minor, but eggs at room temperature mix increasingly evenly into your batter, ensuring a uniform texture.
3. Check Your Oven Temperature: Ovens can be tricky. Use an oven thermometer to make sure it’s at the right temperature for perfectly baked brownies.
4. Don't Overbake: Alimony an eye on your brownies in the last few minutes of baking. They protract to melt a bit plane without stuff removed from the oven.
5. Smooth Frosting Application: For a professional look, use an offset spatula to spread the frosting. It gives you increasingly tenancy and an plane layer.
6. Experiment with Toppings: While peppermint pieces are classic, finger self-ruling to experiment with other toppings like chocolate shavings or sprinkles.

Fixing Grainy Buttercream

A smooth, linty buttercream is what we aim for. If yours turns out grainy, here's how to unzip frosting perfection:

1. Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is at room temperature. Cold butter can rationalization a grainy texture.
2. Sift Your Sugar: Sifting powdered sugar surpassing subtracting it to the mix can prevent lumps and graininess.
3. Be Patient: Sometimes, the frosting just needs increasingly time to come together. Alimony mixing at a medium speed for a few uneaten minutes.
4. Adjust Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add a bit increasingly cream, a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add a little increasingly powdered sugar.
5. Rescue with a Bain-Marie: Place your frosting over a bain-marie (a trencher set over simmering water) and gently heat it while continuously whisking until smooth. Then, remove from heat and write-up it then as it cools.

Variations

Peppermint bark brownies are succulent as is, but here's how you can add your own twist:

1. Chocolate Layer: Add a layer of melted visionless or milk chocolate over the pixie surpassing subtracting the peppermint frosting for a triple chocolate treat.
2. Different Extracts: Experiment with variegated extracts like almond or orange in the frosting for a unique savor profile.
3. Nutty Crunch: Add chopped nuts like almonds or pecans to the pixie thrash for an widow crunch.
4. Colorful Frosting: Use supplies coloring to tint the frosting for a festive look, expressly unconfined for holidays or special occasions.
5. Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the pixie thrash for a warm, spiced flavor.

Suggested Pairings

Peppermint bark brownies are versatile. Here are some delightful ways to pair them:

1. Berry Compote: Serve your brownies with a side of semen compote for a tangy unrelatedness to the sweet and minty flavors.
2. Cream Cheese Frosting: Instead of peppermint frosting, try a surf cheese frosting for a tangy twist.
3. Caramel Drizzle: A warm caramel drizzle over the top adds a gooey, rich layer of flavor.
4. Mint Tea: Pair your brownies with a refreshing mint tea, enhancing the peppermint notes.
5. Red Wine: For an sultana twist, pair your brownies with a glass of red wine, like a Zinfandel or Merlot, which complements the chocolate beautifully.

Food Safety Tips for Peppermint Bark Brownies

When preparing and storing your peppermint bark brownies, supplies safety is key. Here are some essential tips to alimony in mind:

1. Ingredient Storage: Store your ingredients, expressly perishables like eggs and butter, properly surpassing use. Eggs should be refrigerated, and butter can be kept in the fridge or at room temperature if it's going to be used soon.
2. Avoid Cross-Contamination: Use separate utensils and bowls for dry and wet ingredients to prevent cross-contamination, expressly if you're sultry with other ingredients that might be allergens (like nuts).
3. Proper Cooling: Let the brownies tomfool completely surpassing subtracting the frosting. This prevents bacterial growth and ensures the frosting sets properly.
4. Storage: Store leftover brownies in an snapped container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator if your kitchen is very warm. They can moreover be frozen for up to 3 months.
5. Serving: When serving, use wipe utensils and stave leaving the brownies out at room temperature for extended periods, expressly if it's warm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let's write some worldwide queries well-nigh making peppermint bark brownies:

1. Can I use a variegated type of oil instead of canola oil? Yes! Vegetable oil or melted coconut oil can be used as substitutes.
2. How do I know when the brownies are washed-up baking? Insert a toothpick into the part-way of the brownies. It should come out with a few moist crumbs. If it’s clean, they’re overdone; if it has wet batter, they need increasingly time.
3. Can I make these brownies gluten-free? Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend.
4. How can I make the frosting increasingly pepperminty? You can add a bit increasingly peppermint extract, but be shielding – a little goes a long way!
5. Can these brownies be made superiority of time? Yes, they can be baked and frosted a day in advance. Just store them in an snapped container.

Conclusion

And there you have it - your guide to making the most wondrous peppermint bark brownies! From the rich, fudgy pixie wiring to the creamy, minty frosting, topped with crunchy peppermint pieces, every zest of these brownies is a delightful journey. Whether you're sultry for a special occasion or just starving something sweet and festive, these brownies are sure to impress. Remember, sultry is not just well-nigh pursuit a recipe – it's well-nigh creating memories and sharing joy. So, don your apron, gather your ingredients, and let the magic of sultry begin. Happy baking, and enjoy your peppermint bark brownies!

• Author: cookwithleo
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Brownies:

• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cups cocoa powder, sifted
• ½ cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Peppermint Frosting:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• Peppermint pieces, for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a 9x9 inch sultry dish with parchment paper.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and salt.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In flipside bowl, mix eggs, canola oil, water, and vanilla extract.

4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

5. Bake: Pour thrash into prepared dish, spread evenly, and torch for 25-30 minutes.

6. Cool Brownies: Allow the brownies to tomfool completely in the pan.

7. Make Frosting: In a stand mixer, write-up together butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and peppermint pericope until smooth.

8. Frost Brownies: Spread frosting evenly over cooled brownies.

9. Add Toppings: Sprinkle with peppermint pieces.

10. Serve: Lift the brownies out using the parchment paper, cut into squares, and enjoy!