Irresistible Peppermint Patty Brownies: Your Go-To Recipe for Decadent Chocolate Mint Treats
Prepare to indulge in a dessert that marries convenience with an exquisite, restaurant-quality flavor: these Peppermint Patty Brownies. Imagine a rich, fudgy chocolate brownie infused with the cool, refreshing burst of peppermint, all achievable from the comfort of your home, even in your coziest pajamas. This recipe starts with a simple boxed brownie mix, making it incredibly easy to prepare while still delivering an unforgettable taste that will impress any crowd.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, these brownies offer a delightful escape into a world of decadent flavors. They are more than just a dessert; they are a perfect blend of nostalgic comfort and sophisticated taste, ideal for a special treat or a casual gathering.
The Story Behind These Decadent Peppermint Patty Brownies
Last month, during a delightful visit to my grandparents’ charming home in Massachusetts, I found myself captivated by a stack of vintage cookbooks from the 1950s. Sprawled comfortably on their kitchen floor, surrounded by the aroma of old paper and cherished memories, I stumbled upon a fascinating recipe for peppermint patty brownies. It was a true blast from the past, showcasing the baking trends of an earlier era.
The original recipe, as expected for the time, called for a boxed brownie mix. Interestingly, it instructed bakers to pour melted Peppermint Patties candy directly over the top of the already baked brownies. My Grandma, a wonderful cook and a treasure trove of culinary wisdom, confirmed that using boxed brownie and cake mixes was incredibly popular and even fashionable in the ’50s. It was seen as a modern convenience, allowing home bakers to whip up impressive desserts with minimal effort.
While that method certainly has its nostalgic charm, and you could absolutely opt for your own homemade brownie recipe if you prefer, embracing a quality boxed brownie mix is still a fantastic time-saver. It lays the perfect foundation for a rich, moist brownie, allowing you to focus on the unique peppermint twist that makes this recipe truly special.
A Modern Twist for Less Mess and More Flavor
Now, like many home cooks, I’m not a huge fan of doing a mountain of dishes after baking. The idea of melting peppermint patties in a separate saucepan and then drizzling them over the brownies, while effective, sounded like extra clean-up.
This got me thinking: what if, instead of drizzling melted candy on top, the chopped Peppermint Patties were mixed directly into the brownie batter itself? Would the flavor be more integrated? Would it create a different, perhaps even better, texture? The culinary curiosity was strong!
The results of this little experiment were nothing short of amazing! By incorporating the chopped Peppermint Patties into the batter, they melt during baking, creating pockets of creamy, minty goodness that meld seamlessly with the rich chocolate. This method yields an incredibly rich, moist, and delightfully fudgy brownie with an even distribution of peppermint flavor. The best part? Considerably fewer dishes to wash, and no sticky melted candy mess to clean from your stovetop or countertop!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Your Peppermint Patty Brownies
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these sensational brownies. Here’s what you’ll need to make these mint chocolate wonders:
- 1 box brownie mix: This is our convenient base. Be sure to have the additional ingredients required on the box (typically eggs, oil, and water).
- 1 cup chopped Peppermint Patties candy: The star of the show! These will melt into the batter, creating pockets of cool mint.
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract: This intensifies the mint flavor, ensuring that delightful cool sensation. Don’t skip it for maximum impact!
- Chocolate syrup: For drizzling on top, adding an extra layer of chocolatey goodness and a beautiful presentation.
- Fresh mint and a handful of chopped Peppermint Patties: These are for garnish, adding visual appeal and a fresh aromatic touch.
These Handy Tools Will Make Baking a Breeze
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience. Here’s what you’ll find handy for this recipe:
- 8×8 baking pan: The ideal size for a batch of perfectly thick, fudgy brownies.
- Mixing bowls: You’ll need one for the brownie batter.
- Electric mixer (optional but helpful): For quickly and smoothly combining your brownie mix ingredients. A whisk and elbow grease work just as well!
- Sharp knife: Essential for neatly chopping your Peppermint Patties and for slicing the cooled brownies.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Your Peppermint Patty Brownies
Baking these brownies is incredibly straightforward, thanks to our boxed mix shortcut. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch:
- Prepare the Brownie Mix: Begin by preparing your brownie mix according to the package directions. This typically involves combining the mix with eggs, oil, and water in a mixing bowl.
- Add the Peppermint Kick: Once your batter is smooth, stir in 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract. This is key to enhancing the minty flavor.
- Incorporate Peppermint Patties: Gently fold in the 1 cup of chopped Peppermint Patties candy. Distribute them evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the prepared batter into your greased (or lined) 8×8 baking pan. Bake as directed on the box, which is usually around 50 minutes. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time, as oven temperatures can vary. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter, for fudgy brownies.
- Cool Completely: This step is crucial! Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before attempting to cut them. While tempting to dig in immediately, cool brownies are much easier to slice cleanly, ensuring beautiful, intact squares. The Peppermint Patties will have melted into the brownie batter, creating a truly rich, fudge-like texture that sets perfectly when cooled.
- Warm and Serve: For an extra-special treat, I highly recommend warming the brownies briefly in the microwave before serving. This revives their fudginess and enhances the minty aroma.
Once your brownies are warmed, it’s time for the final touch. A drizzle of rich chocolate syrup, a sprinkle of additional chopped Peppermint Patties, and a fresh mint leaf for garnish create a stunning and delicious presentation. The combination of textures and flavors is simply divine.
Pro Tips for Perfect Peppermint Patty Brownies
To ensure your Peppermint Patty Brownies turn out absolutely perfect every time, consider these helpful kitchen tips:
- Bake and Take with Ease: If you plan to bake these brownies for an event or to share, use a baking pan that comes with a lid, like this one. Once the baked brownies have completely cooled, cover the pan. Then, transport your garnishes (chocolate syrup, extra chopped patties, fresh mint) separately and top the brownies just before serving at your destination. This keeps them looking fresh and prevents any mess during transit.
- Effortless Removal and Cutting: For super neat slices, line your baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, making sure the edges hang over the sides of the pan. These overhangs act as convenient “handles,” allowing you to lift the entire block of cooled brownies out of the pan. You can then transfer them to a cutting board, where it’s much easier to achieve clean, precise cuts.
- Choose Your Patties Wisely: When buying Peppermint Patties, consider opting for the larger, individually wrapped ones often found near grocery store checkout counters. While bags of smaller candies are available, using larger ones means significantly less unwrapping time, saving you effort and getting you to the baking faster!
- Don’t Overmix: When preparing the brownie batter, mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher, less fudgy brownies.
- Storage and Freshness: Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
- Freezing for Later: These brownies freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, wrap individual brownies or the entire slab tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for a fresh-baked taste.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peppermint Patty Brownies
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making these delicious brownies:
- Can I use a homemade brownie recipe instead of a boxed mix? Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade fudge brownie recipe, feel free to use it. Just incorporate the peppermint extract and chopped Peppermint Patties into your batter as described in the instructions. The key is to ensure your homemade recipe yields a fudgy base to complement the mint.
- What kind of Peppermint Patties should I use? Regular-sized Peppermint Patties work best, as they provide substantial chunks of minty goodness. You can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate versions based on your preference. Mini patties can also be used, but you might need slightly more than 1 cup to get the same impact, and they will melt into smaller pockets.
- Can I omit the peppermint extract? While you can, the peppermint extract significantly boosts the mint flavor. Without it, the mint from the patties might be more subtle, blending more into the chocolate. For a truly “peppermint patty” experience, the extract is recommended.
- How do I get clean cuts? The trick to clean cuts is patience! Ensure your brownies are completely cooled before slicing. Using the foil/parchment paper lining method allows you to lift the whole slab onto a cutting board. For even cleaner cuts, use a sharp, non-serrated knife and wipe it clean with a damp cloth after each slice. Chilling the brownies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting can also help.
- What are some other garnish ideas? Beyond chocolate syrup, chopped patties, and fresh mint, you could add a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an à la mode experience. A sprinkle of mini chocolate chips or a drizzle of white chocolate can also be lovely.
- Are these good for holiday baking? Yes, these Peppermint Patty Brownies are fantastic for the holidays! The combination of chocolate and mint is a classic festive flavor. They make a great addition to holiday dessert platters or as edible gifts.
More Decadent Chocolate Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings
If you’re a true chocolate lover, the fun doesn’t stop here! Be sure to explore these other delicious dessert recipes:
- Chocolate Spritz Cookies – A delightful, buttery chocolate cookie from Fireflies & Mud Pies.
- French Silk Brownies – Rich and smooth, these brownies from Crazy for Crust are a dream come true.
- Fudge Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting – The classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter in a fudgy brownie.
- Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies – Two favorite desserts combined into one irresistible treat.
- Fudge Frosted Espresso Brownies – For those who love the deep flavor of coffee with their chocolate.
And if these Peppermint Patty Brownies have truly captured your heart, you’ll definitely want to explore more amazing brownie recipes on our site! Don’t forget to check out all of our other fantastic peppermint and candy cane recipes for more minty inspiration!
Peppermint Patty Brownies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- Boxed Brownie Mix (plus ingredients on box)
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup chopped Peppermint Patties
- Garnish: Chocolate syrup chopped Peppermint Patties, and fresh mint
Instructions
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Prepare the brownie mix as directed on the package, adding 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract and stirring until smooth.
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Gently fold in the 1 cup of chopped Peppermint Patties candy. Pour into a greased or lined 8×8 baking pan.
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Bake as directed on the box (typically around 50 minutes), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
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Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into squares.
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Serve warm (briefly microwave if desired), topped with chocolate syrup, extra chopped Peppermint Patties, and fresh mint for garnish.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.