I have very vivid – and numerous – memories of finding Mom digging in the big chest freezer on the farm, looking for the container that held her stash of Chocolate Mint Brownies. Yes, this recipe is all Mom.
And I do have to agree, these beautiful bites are quite the perfect after meal treat. Reminiscent of those little foil wrapped Andes mints, but softer and a bit more decadent, these mint layered brownies finish off a meal in the most lovely way.
Mom’s Chocolate Mint Brownies
(print recipe)
for the brownie base:
4 1-oz. squares unsweetened chocolate
2/3 c. shortening
2 c. brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
for the peppermint layer:
2 c. powdered sugar
2 T. heavy cream
1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 tsp. peppermint extract
a few drops of green food coloring, if desired
for the chocolate glaze:
2 1-oz. squares semi-sweet chocolate
2 T. butter
Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 9″ x 13″ pan.
Melt the chocolate and shortening together. Remove from heat and add brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Blend well. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 25 minutes, until toothpick just barely comes clean. Cool thoroughly.
Prepare the peppermint layer by creaming together the powdered sugar, cream, butter, and extract. Tint with green food coloring, if desired. Frost brownie base with this mixture and refrigerate until firm.
To make the chocolate glaze, melt together the chocolate and butter. Spread gently over the cold frosting. The glaze will be thin. Cool until glaze hardens. Cut into small squares.
Source: Mom’s recipe box
I’m linking up with:
Kim at Quit Eating Out for “Saturday Swap”. She says that these brownies are a favorite with her husband’s side of the family. Check out her site right here!
Your mom rocks! Great recipe!
Amanda recently posted..New Years Eve Cupcakes Tutorial
I do think you would like her, Amanda.
I’m in! These look soooo good! My husband and I LOVE Andes mints, so I know we’ll be fighting over these brownies!
Jennifer @ Jane Deere recently posted..Chicken Spaghetti- Velveeta Style delicious
Hi Jennifer – may you win the most Chocolate Mint Brownies!
I just ADORE Mint Brownies!!!! I have yet to make my own but always fall over backwards with happiness when I am some where that there are these minty chocolatie treasures.
Yours looks absolutely mouth watering!!!
Avril recently posted..Do you know the Muffin Man How about the Muffin Woman
Thanks Avril – it’s always great to hear from you!
Brenda, those are just GORGEOUS! What a lovely thing to keep in the freezer – lucky guests.
Thanks Stephanie. They seem so “normal” to me, as they were just a staple at our house. But, yes, they are gorgeous. And delicious!
These Mint Brownies look wonderful. I really want to make these!
Hi Ann – thanks for stopping by!
If I was your Mom I would have definitely stashed these away too. Great looking brownie.
Paula recently posted..A Pie to Die For
Thanks, Paula!!
Hi Brenda! This makes me want to make Mint Squares (I checked, and the recipe from my mom~in~law is a bit different). And I’m so anxious to try this version of your Mom’s!! Thanks a bunch for linking up to Saturday Swap. Have a wonderful weekend Friend!!!!
Kim at Quit Eating Out {Recipes to Make Dining Out a Choice, Not a Chore} recently posted..Saturday Swap Toll House Pie
Hi Kim – I’m curious how your family’s recipe is different. Would love to compare!
My mom made these too and they were always one of my favorites!
Hi Joan – great to hear from you!! I’m sure our moms share a few recipes – it’s fun to know you like them, too.
My mom makes something very similar — love it!
I just found you through a MN blogger link … nice to meet another MN food blogger!
Well, hello!! Great to meet you!
I made these and they were a huge HIT!! I can’t wait to make them again!! Thanks for a GREAT recipe Brenda.
I made these and they were delicious! But I did have one question. . .the texture of the brownies was kind of lumpy and uneven when I made them – could this be due to the fact that I did all my mixing w/a fork? Could I solve this problem by using beaters? Thanks!
Hi Kate – thanks for letting me know you made these! I’ve been eating these since I was a kid, and can’t say that I’ve ever noticed lumpiness. The fork might be your issue, but it’s not necessary to use beaters. I just use a rubber spatula and stir until the batter is smooth.
Hey Cousin! Greg practically ate the computer when he saw you posted this recipie! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Ann! Does Greg remember them stashed away in our freezer, just as Chris does?!! Nice to hear from you – hope your family is doing well. See you at John’s wedding next month?
Oh yeah! I have visions of diving into the freezer when your mom wasn’t looking. Gave the recipe to a chocoholic at work and she can’t wait to make them. Didn’t your mom have a brownie recipe that used Andes mints in them? Adam, Claire and I will make it to the wedding (Ann and Nora going to Glacier NP for girlscouts). Can’t wait to see everybody!
Hi Greg! I couldn’t remember any brownies using Andes mints, so I asked Mom. She doesn’t recall any, either. Sounds like a great idea, though! I also remember the round Schwann’s chocolate covered mint ice cream bars in the freezer and a mint cake with a layer of fudge and mint whipped cream. Kind of her signature combo. Wow – a Girl Scouts trip to Glacier – that’s awesome! See you in a few weeks in SD!