Bakin' Brownies

   In honor of the holidays I decided to bake Peppermint Stick Brownies for my family and friends! In many different areas around the world you can almost guarantee the presence of brownies in parties for people of all ages. Thanks to the book Cookies Cookies Cookies By Shelli McConnell I figured out a way to bake brownies for my family and friends and add a little holiday spin on them!

A sample of how the final product
will turn out to be 

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 & 1/2 cups all purpose flour 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 & 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup margarine or butter
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1 cup milk
• 3/4 cup mint-flavored chocolate pieces 
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans 
• Fudge Frosting 
• 1/2 cup broken peppermint sticks or coarsely crushed striped round peppermint candies 

Recipe 

Step 1: Pour and stir together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Step 2: In a large sauce pan combine the sugar, margarine or butter, and cocoa powder. Place sauce pan over medium heat and stir constantly until margarine or butter is melted. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Add eggs and vanilla into the same sauce pan from step 2. Use a wooden spoon and lightly beat just till combined (don't overbeat).

Step 4: Add the milk and the newly formed chocolate mixture alternately (adding in the two new substances in small amounts while switching between the two). Beating after each addition. 

Step 5: Stir in chocolate pieces and walnuts or pecans. Spread batter into a greased baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-28 minutes or till a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Step 5: Stir in chocolate pieces and walnuts or pecans. Spread batter into a greased baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-28 minutes or til wooden tooth pick inserted near center comes out clean.

 Step 6: Cool brownies in pan or wire rack. Frost with Fudge Frosting. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint. Cut into desired bars.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Step 6: Cool brownies in pan or wire rack. Frost with Fudge Frosting. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint. Cut into desired bars.

Want your brownies to have even more holiday spirit then it already does? Shelli McConnell has created a way for that very thing to be possible, "here's a secret, mint-flavored chocolate pieces are nestled in the center of these chocolaty brownies" (McConnell 16). My loved ones fell in love with the sweet surprise that was found in every delicious peppermint stick brownie, and because of that I can promise that your loved ones will too! 

Did you bake anything special for your loved ones in honor of the holidays?

If so what did you bake? Did your family enjoy it?

Happy Holidays Everyone!

McConnell, Shelli. Meredith Corporation. Des Moines: Meredith Corporation, 1992. Print.