#MenuMonday: Peppermint Stick Brownies

#MenuMonday: Peppermint Stick Brownies

Looking for a festive treat to bring to your family party this holiday season?  Look no further!  These peppermint stick brownies embrace the holiday spirit and taste great too!  They are the perfect combination of mint and chocolate.

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
  
• 1/2 cup butter
  
• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  
• 2 8 – ounce packages cream cheese, softened
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
  
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  
• 2 tablespoons milk
  
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  
• several drops liquid red food coloring   

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with foil, allowing edges of foil to extend over the ends of the pan. Coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set pan aside. In a medium saucepan heat and stir butter and chocolate over low heat until smooth; set aside to cool slightly.
2. Stir the 1 cup sugar into the chocolate mixture. Add the 2 eggs, one at a time, beating with a wooden spoon just until combined. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt just until combined. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and peppermint extract; beat until smooth. Add milk and beat until combined. Add 3 eggs and beat on low speed just until combined. Pour cream cheese mixture over brownie batter in pan; carefully spread evenly over brownie batter. Drop red food coloring in random spots over cream cheese mixture. Use a thin metal spatula or table knife to swirl the food coloring into the cream cheese mixture (be careful not to swirl too deeply into the brownie layer).
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until set (center no longer shakes). Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Cover loosely and chill for 2 to 4 hours. Use foil to lift uncut bars from pan to a cutting board. Cut lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1-inch wide sticks. Chill to store.

Yield: 24 servings

Total Time: 4-6 hours

Original Recipe: http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/peppermint-stick-brownies/

Make sure to let us know if you enjoyed these tasty Peppermint Stick Brownies!

Check back on www.bctent.com/blog every Monday for a #MenuMonday party food or beverage recipe!