3.12.2009

#47) Minty Midnight Bars



I have mentioned before my uncontrollable craving for brownies, and this past week has been no exception. I guess knowing that I am off the whole week for March break has convinced my baking conscience that I can spend all day in the kitchen whipping up sinful treats... Too bad my hips don't have a conscience :)

Anyway, back to the bars - they have a surprisingly chewy brownie base covered with a minty buttercream, then the whole thing in encased by a delicious chocolate shell.

I used food colouring in the buttercream to highlight its minty flavour (from extract), but next time I want to leave it white and use fresh chopped mint. I know that sounds like a mild request, but in Goose Bay finding any fresh herb is a challenge, never mind one like mint HaHa.

I know, I have gabbed enough. Here is the recipe!

Brownie Base

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp baking powder

Steps

-Grease 8x8 dish. Preheat oven to 350°F.
-Melt butter. Add sugar and vanilla. Mix well.
-Add eggs and beat until mixed well.
-Add dry ingredients and beat just until blended.
-Pour into prepared dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
-Let cool in pan completely.


Minty Buttercream

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups icing sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/2 tbsp water
3 tsp mint extract
4 drops green food colouring

Steps

-Cream together all ingredients until smooth.
-Spread over cooled brownies.
-Refrigerate until cold and set.


Chocolate Shell
Ingredients

4 tbsp butter
1 cup chocolate chips

Steps

-Melt together in double boiler.
-Let cool slightly.
-Pour over frosted brownies.
-Refrigerate until chocolate hardens (about 1.5 hours).
-Cut in squares and enjoy :)

18 comments:

  1. Oh wow, this not only sounds delish but looks heavenly!! I'm going to try these soon.

    Maria
    x

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  2. These sound really tasty! I actually just made something similar for a friends birthday...Andes Mint Pie! I am hoping to post it soon (but I leave for vacation tomorrow so it may have to wait!)

    That's a really bummer about the fresh herbs...I don't know what I would do!! I did learn a tip from Rachael Ray though if you are interested...when you find your herbs wash them and cut them up and them put them in ice cubes trays. Fill with water and freeze and them when you want the herbs you just pop an "herb ice cube" out of the freezer, let it thaw and there you go!! Fresh herbs all year round!!

    I was so excited about that tip, because I grow herbs in my garden every summer and love being able to use them year round!

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  3. thanks so much for the tip liesl!!! that is certainly a good idea for when i do finf them :)
    thanks for dropping by!

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  4. I have uncontrollable craving now just viewing those bars!! This sounds a must bake - onto my to bake list it has gone!

    Rosie x

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  5. I love mint and chocolate together... and in a brownie... YUM!

    I got my coarse sugar at Michael's. It was near the sprinkles. :) You could also use Raw Sugar!

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  6. i love chocolate and mint and these looks super delicious :)

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  7. Holy cow I am SO making these!!!
    Jen

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  8. Rosie - the only way to curb a brownie craving is to make a pan, so have fun :)

    sweeteater - thanks for dropping by!

    Cupcake - thanks for the tip, I will have to have a good look next time I get to M's

    Snooky - if mint and chocolate is your pleasure, these bars will be a hit :)

    Jen - let me know how they work out for u!! :)

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  9. This reminds me of those Andes mints but in cake form!

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  10. I've made a similar recipe. Yours cook great...such nice clean slices!

    Looks like you have a lot of yummy recipes here I need to check out.
    ~ingrid

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  11. You had me at brownie and minty buttercream :D.

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  12. Mint and chocolate is such an great combo and those bars look really good!

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  13. Oh my gosh, my husband will love you forever for these. -e

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  14. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  15. I want to do this kind of bars for a very long time! I must
    buy absolutely mint extract! Yours are very beautiful!

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  16. I made these yesterday...started with the PB Brownie Bars, but was having a guest for dinner allergic to peanuts. So I used the mint filling instead and they were amazing, melt in your mouth delicious!! Thanks Dani, they were a hit!

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  17. thanks everyone for the kind words.... it was a great recipe and one of my "keepers" :)

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