Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosted Brownies – Delicious decadent chocolate brownies frosted with peppermint cream cheese icing and finished off with mint bits. Perfect Christmas treat.
When I think of guilty pleasures… brownies come to mind.
When I think of my dream dessert dancing in my head…it’s brownies on my mind.
When I gave up chocolate for a period of time … it was brownies that kept me up at night.
I’m insanely mad about them. I have eaten an entire pan by myself. True story. Hubby can tell you all about it. Although I don’t really want him to talk about it either. I can’t believe I just typed that up as public knowledge for the whole internet world for read.
No, I’m not proud of that moment in my life but it just goes to show that we all have weaknesses and brownies are definitely one of mine. But alas, you definitely know that I’m human just like all of you.
I have a weight loss story too. Someone day I’d love to share when I get brave enough to write it up. It was a slow but happy ending journey. One that I look back on and am actually glad I went through because it taught me so much.
The greatest lesson I learned was self control. I can have a brownie or a cookie but not the whole pan.
Til we meet and eat again friends,
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1¼ cups sugar
- ¾ cups baking cocoa ( I use Hershey's special dark)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups confectioner's sugar
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ⅓ cup Andes peppermint crunch baking chips
- Brownies:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 8" x 8" pan, line it with parchment, and grease the parchment (makes it easier to remove the brownies from the pan).
- In a medium-sized saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter. Add in the sugar, stirring to combine. Heat the mixture just just until it's hot throughout. It should become a bit shiny. Remove from the heat and stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder and vanilla extract. Whisk in the eggs, stirring until smooth.
- Add in the flour stirring until smooth. Pour batter into the pan, spreading it to the edges.
- Bake the brownies for about 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The brownies should feel set on the edges, and just barely set in the center.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar. Beat on low speed until smooth. Mix in peppermint extract until well combined. Cut brownies into 16 equal pieces. Sprinkle with Andes baking chips. Refrigerate leftovers.
Recipe adapted slightly from Cookie and Kate & King Arthur Flour
Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says
Don’t feel too bad, because I definitely could not help eating a whole pan of these brownies either! I made something similar to these last winter and I’ve been craving them ALL year! Definitely gonna have to give these a go! 😉
Baby June says
Oh man those look good! So rich and chocolatey 🙂
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
These look so good, I don’t think I’d be able to be stop myself from eating ALL of them at once! Seriously, once this baby comes out I’m going to have to learn some serious self-control. If you ask my husband, he’d probably say my motto right now is, “don’t judge.” Lol. That being said, there was a time when I worked really hard at eating right, and it will soon be here again! So I should probably make these SOON. 😀
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I don’t blame you for eating a whole pan of brownies, I could do the same. I love the peppermint cream cheese frosting!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
We’re twins with the peppermint brownies!! I adore the cream cheese frosting you slathered all over yours – it looks so good!
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
Oh my heavens! I saw the frosting and immediately fell in love!! Good for you for learning self control!! I am still trying to learn that myself! The only thing that saves me is being blessed with a relatively high metabolism! Pinned. 🙂
marcie says
Peppermint and chocolate is a huge weakness for me already, then you added cream cheese! These look insanely delicious!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
I’d love to hear your weight loss story.. I have one too. . self control is everything. . and brownies and sweet treats make it so hard. . but I don’t deny myself but just try to eat a small portion.. my husband, on the other hand, has no self control and goes to town! on chips and brownies are his fave! 😛 love these!! perfect for the holidays! Because we all need to indulge a little!!! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
These brownies look incredible! Love peppermint and chocolate desserts especially around this time of year! I definitely wouldn’t be able to resist a pan of these beauties!
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures says
Brownies are definitely a guilty pleasure! Yum!
Melanie says
For me too!
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
I LOVE BROWNIES!!! Sorry for shouting, but I love them that much. And peppermint is one of my fave flavors ever, especially this time of year. Together? Heck to the yes.
Melanie says
You and me both Chris!
Amanda says
Oh my word, these brownies are amazing!!!
Melanie says
Let’s share! Thanks for dropping by Amanda!
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
these brownies look SO thick and fudgy, and that’s just how I like them!!! loving this Mel.
Melanie says
They are truly perfect Christine! Just the way I like ém.
Shashi @ runninsrilankan says
These look so incredibly dense and moist! And love that fluffy frosting on top!
Melanie, you ARE brave my dear – I hope you share your story one day – I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xxs
Melanie says
I hope to Shashi! Thanks for the encouragement!
Ashley@blondegirlcravings says
mmm these look intensely fudgy!!
Melanie says
That they definitely are!
heather @french press says
oh my – LOVE these brownies