Peppermint Brownies

Ok, in keeping with the Christmas Spirit, I am going to try to give you 12 posts in 12 days leading up to Christmas.  If you are reading this, I probably like you and maybe even be related to you (I am talking about you, Dodie!) so for that reason I am going to give you my best, and by that I mean all of the great posts I have stored in my semi-written post file. That’s right, after a mini-drought that was pregnancy + holidays + Nutcracker rehearsals, I am renewed. Also, my novel is in the hands of several readers now, so my writing time is freed up for a bit.

For starters, something delicious and easy.

I am sharing this because, I don’t know about you, but I find there are a lot of bad baked goods out there at this time of year. Over cooked sugar cookies, dry gingerbread, lots of breads made with vegetable oil, and biscotti from 2 years ago that is a fire hazard if it gets near an open flame.  I am going to save up my calories for this:

I have no shame in sharing with you a recipe with 2 ingredients. Why? Because it is the holidays.  And you are probably a lot like me, which is staggeringly busy.  And you have to go somewhere in 2 hours and you need to bring something.  So this is my gift to you.

Box of Chewy Brownies + Bag of Peppermint Patties =

As with all box brownie mixes, it is best to take them out at the minimum time suggested on the box. Let them cool for at least a half hour before cutting into them.  And feel free to enlist your kids! They are actually very helpful here, when you put them in charge of unwrapping a bag of York Peppermint Patties while bribing them that they can eat one.

Prepare the box mix and lay half of it in a pan (sprayed with cooking spray).  Then arrange the candy in rows so that it is even when you cut into them.

Then, pour the other half on top and bake according to the package directions. Don’t forget to let your kids lick the spoon and the bowls (go ahead, taunt salmonella) and throw them in the dishwasher.

Of course, you could get creative – sprinkle chopped up candy canes on top, use Hershey Kiss Peppermint in stead of York Peppermint Patties.

But I recommend this simple version.  And I was told by my brother in law that powdered sugar on top of brownies “ruins them because it makes them messy”.  So ponder that while you are Christmas shopping.  Happy Chocolatey Minty Hugs & Kisses!

Tomorrow: Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings