Mint Brownies

This recipe is SO good.  Besides being a great recipe, it has great instructions for making them.  They turn out perfectly every time.  This is from Make It Do, a wonderful blog with the best recipes.

Whisk together:
1 ½  c. melted butter
¾  c. cocoa powder

And then add:
3 c. sugar 
6 eggs beaten 
1 ½ tsp. vanilla
½ tsp. salt

Mix well and then add by hand:
2 ¼  c. sifted flour 

Do not over mix.
Pour into large baking tray, 10 x 15 inch, sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake at 350° for 25-28 minutes.  Cool for a few minutes and then place in freezer for 20 minutes.

While brownies are in the freezer make first layer of topping.
Mint frosting:
¾  c. butter softened 
3 Tbsp. milk 
3 c. powdered sugar 
1 tsp. peppermint extract 
Green food coloring
Mix thoroughly.  Evenly frost brownies and put back in freezer for 20 minutes.

Make chocolate Ganache top layer.
Chocolate Ganache Topping:
¾  c. butter 
2 ¼ c. good semi sweet chocolate chips 
Melt and whisk together.  Melt them together in a Pyrex measuring bowl in the microwave for one minute.  Be careful not to overheat.  It won’t look melted but once whisked it is.  Drizzle warm chocolate over brownies and spread smooth with a spatula.  (This isn’t a true Ganache because a true one is made with chocolate and cream)  Put back in freezer for another 20 minutes.

To cut, slice in about ½ inch for the edges so that every brownie is exactly square and smooth.  The edges are the best part so set those out for your kids to try.  Makes 4 dozen, 2-inch brownies or 8 dozen triangle brownies (the squares cut in half on the diagonal.)   They are better if they are chilled until serving. 

These make a wonderful gift or treat for a bake sale when placed on a disposable plate and wrapped in cellophane.