Peppermint Bark Brownies

If you haven't tried these brownies, you're barking up the wrong tree. These Peppermint Bark Brownies are the perfect dessert for the Holiday season. Let's get started!

2/3 cup flour
2 tablespoons dark or dutch processed cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

For Topping:
6 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
3 to 4 candy canes, coarsely chopped or crushed (about 1/2 cup)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line the bottom and sides of a 8-by-8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on two edges. Wax paper could work but you might have a little more trouble pulling off the brownies.

Sift together flour, cocoa, and salt in a small bowl and set aside.

Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler or a medium-large bowl set over gently simmering water. Stir until smooth, then remove from heat. 

Whisk in sugar and stir until slightly dissolved and mixture has cooled slightly.

Whisk in eggs, vanilla, and peppermint extract until just combined (do not overmix). Sprinkle flour mixture over top and fold in to chocolate mixture using a large rubber spatula until just incorporated. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Transfer pan to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Gently melt white chocolate and shortening together in a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave on low power (white chocolate is very fragile and so you want to be sure you melt it very gently). Cool slightly and then pour over brownies. 

Crush candy canes and sprinkle over top. Put in fridge to harden chocolate. Cut into squares, pour yourself a glass of milk and enjoy!

The great thing about these brownies is that they are PERFECT for anytime of the year. Just take out the peppermint extract and candy canes. For Halloween, sprinkle some candy corn on top. For Valentine's Day, find some pink sprinkles and serve to your loved ones!