Grasshopper Brownies

Directions

Brownie Layer

• 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 10 by 18 inch pan then line with parchment or wax paper, using enough to hang over the sides slightly.
• 2

  Melt in a large saucepan over low heat:
  3/4 cup unsalted butter

• 3

  When melted, stir in, then remove from heat:
  4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped fine
  4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine

• 4

  When chocolate has melted and mixture has cooled slightly, stir in:
  1 cup granulated sugar
  1 cup light brown sugar
  1 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  1/2 teaspoon salt

• 5

  Beat in a small bowl, then add and incorporate thoroughly:
  4 large eggs

• 6

  Stir in until completely blended:
  1 cup flour

• 7 Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until knife inserted in center of brownies comes out just clean. Cool completely in pan.

Mint Frosting Layer

• 8

  Beat with electric mixer 2 to 3 minutes:
  1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  4 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 9

  Add and beat 2 to 3 minutes, until smooth:
  4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted if necessary
  1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  Pinch salt
  Milk or cream (if necessary to make frosting spreadable)

• 10

  Add until desired color is reached:
  Green food coloring

• 11 Dollop onto surface of cooled brownies, then spread into smooth, even layer with an offset spatula. Refrigerate while making ganache.

Ganache Layer

• 12

  Scald in small saucepan over medium heat:
  1 cup heavy cream

• 13

  Add and let sit off heat 5 minutes:
  12 ounces (2 cups) semisweet chocolate chips

• 14

  Stir until smooth. Cool until just slightly warm and pour over frosting layer, then smooth with offset spatula. Refrigerate until firm, then cut and serve. Enjoy!

  Note: If cutting out shapes with Ann Clark cookie cutters, it's easiest to use one without a handle. Press down firmly with the cutter, then slide a pancake turner under the brownie layer to lift it up. Then, holding the cutter with one hand, use your other hand to gently push the bar up and out of the cutter.