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I am currently sitting here listening to Alan Jackson’s Christmas album while snacking on one of my deliciously fudgy and gooey dark chocolate peppermint brownies! Is it wrong that it’s 10 in the morning and I’m eating chocolate? In my opinion, it’s the only way to embrace the Christmas season! These fudgy dark chocolate peppermint brownies are the perfect treat for this time of year and would be great for a multitude of holiday gatherings!
How to Make Fudgy Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies
I had the brilliant idea for these dark chocolate peppermint brownies one day after we had visited the Russell Stover chocolate factory in our town. They have a store with every kind of chocolate you could ever want. It’s VERY dangerous! Anyway, they sell these delicious French Mints and I thought, hmmm… those would be great in a brownie!
I headed home and pulled out my favorite cocoa powder and got to work! I’ve recently been using Rodelle’s Organic Baking Cocoa and let me tell you, this stuff is GOOD. Rodelle has an amazing brownie recipe on the back of the baking cocoa bag that will change your life. It’s that yummy! The thing that makes this cocoa powder different is the way they process it. Rodelle’s baking cocoa contains one of the highest levels of cocoa butter on the market which gives it a rich, chocolaty flavor that is perfect for these peppermint brownies!
Aside from this, Rodelle is a Colorado based company that is focused on sustainable production of their products and the company uses only the highest quality ingredients. They even have a wind powered facility in Fort Collins, Colorado! I can certainly tell a difference between this cocoa powder and regular ol’ Hershey’s powder. The key to making these brownies so rich and fudgy is really using this Rodelle baking cocoa . Once you try it, you will never go back!
Key Ingredients
Below are the key ingredients that I used for these gooey brownies and I think they really make these an extra special Christmas treat! You can purchase these ingredients online if you’re wanting to give it a try. Otherwise substitute for whatever you have on hand or can find at the grocery store! I have a replacement suggestion for the Russel Stover French Mints too if you prefer to use something more accessible.
- Rodelle Baking Cocoa Dutch Processed
- Russell Stover French Mints (or use Toll House Dark Chocolate and Mint Morsels)
- Rodelle Organic Vanilla Extract
- Rodelle Pure Peppermint Extract
The recipe below is adapted from the brownie recipe on the back of the Rodelle baking cocoa package, so be sure to follow my instructions! I’ve had multiple people tell me these are the best brownies they have ever tasted and I would have to agree! I hope you enjoy baking these fudgy dark chocolate peppermint brownies for your next Christmas gathering!
Fudgy Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp butter
- 2 1/4 cups sugar
- 5 eggs , room temperature
- 1/2 tbsp Rodelle Organic Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 tsp Rodelle Peppermint Extract
- 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp flour
- 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp Rodelle Baking Cocoa
- 1/4 tbsp salt
- 1/2 cup Russell Stover French Mints, coarsely chopped (about 8 individual mints)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray. This makes the brownies easier to remove and cut!
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter and sugar over very low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once butter and sugar mixture is melted, let slightly cool and then transfer to a large bowl.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix well. Add the Rodelle Organic Vanilla Extract and Rodelle Peppermint Extract. Stir to combine.
- Sift dry ingredients (flour and Rodelle Baking Cocoa) together in a medium bowl and then gradually add to the egg mixture. Stir gently and minimally.
- Coarsely chop the Russell Stover French Mints and add to the batter. Stir until just combined.
- Pour batter into the pan and bake for about 35 minutes. Check the brownies often to be sure they don't over bake!
- Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack in the pan. Once cooled, remove brownies from pan and cut into squares. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- You may substitute normal vanilla extract, peppermint extract and cocoa powder if you wish.
- Feel free to use any other kind of chocolate chips if you aren’t able to get Russell Stover French Mints!
