Peppermint Hot Cocoa Brownies

(from castro15’s recipe box)

Categories: Dessert

Ingredients

  • For the Brownies:
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 6 oz. milk chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temp
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • For the topping:
  • 2- 1/4 oz. packages unflavored gelatin powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 tsp pure peppermint extract
  • Cooking spray
  • Crushed peppermint candies, for topping

Directions

  1. Make the brownies: Preheat the oven to 325. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; cook with cooking spray. Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

  2. Melt the butter and milk chocolate in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring. Remove from the heat and whisk in both sugars. Whisk in the eggs, on at a time, then the vanilla and milk. Gently whisk in the flour mixture until just combined. Spread the batter in the prepared pan.

  3. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool completely in the pan. Lift out of the pan using the foil overhang.

  4. Meanwhile, make the topping: Combine the gelatin, salt and 1/4 cup water in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Let sit 2 minutes. Combine the granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, without stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, 1 minute. With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour in the sugar syrup. Gradually increase the speed to high; beat until thick and fluffy, 12-14 minutes. Beat in both extracts.

  5. Coat a rubber spatula with cooking spray; spread the topping on the brownies. Sprinkle with peppermint candies and let set, about 2 hours. Cut into pieces using a knife coated with cooking spray.

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