Chocolate Brownie Bliss

Here is a recipe that I found to be delicious, indulgent and easy to make from scratch. The last part is  the real kicker...I rarely attempt homemade but this recipe was easy to follow and turned out amazingly!! With simple ingredients I usually have on hand, I was able to make a giant batch of these guys to tote along with me to my hubby's Christmas party. They have a touch of mint which, believe it or not, totally enriches and seems to intensify the chocolate flavor. Crushed candy canes add the perfect holiday touch and trust me, these will fly off the plate. Take note: keep a few to the side for yourself! Give 'em a whirl!

Brownies:
3/4 Cup Of All-Purpose Flour
1 Cup Of Sugar
3 Eggs
1/4 Tsp Peppermint Extract
1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1/4 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Cup Of Butter
4 Oz Of 100% Cacao Unsweetened Baking Bars (I used 1/2 cup cocoa powder instead..)
Toppings:
Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares With Mint Or Andes Mints (Enough To Line Top Of Brownie Tray)
Chocolate chips
Crushed Candy Canes
Preheat oven to 350 °. Mix Brownie ingredients with electric mixer and pour into 8X8 pan lined with foil and sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. (I doubled and used a 9X13 pan...) Bake for about twenty minutes, or until knife inserted into middle comes out clean. Do not overbake or they will be dry!! Once out of oven, immediately sprinkle chocolate over top and let melt. Spread and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Pull out of pan when cooled and cut into squares with serrated knife. Enjoy!

                                               


Adapted from http://deanmcdermott.com/blog/post/peppermint-brownie-recipe-gift-idea