Peppermint Brownies

Easy-from-scratch brownies are delicious topped with fluffy frosting and Peppermint Patties.

Ingredients

• 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 6 Tbs. + ½ cup butter, at room temp.
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1½ tsp. vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 8 mini chocolate-covered peppermint candies, such as Peppermint Patties, quartered, + additional, halved
• 2¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 Tbs. milk
• Red and green decorating gel

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9″ square baking pan with enough foil to overhang sides by 2″; coat with cooking spray. In microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate and 6 Tbs. butter in 20-sec. intervals, stirring, until smooth. Stir in granulated sugar, then eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir in flour. Fold in quartered peppermint candies.
2. Spread in pan. Bake until toothpick inserted into center of brownies comes out with moist crumbs clinging, 22–25 min. Let cool completely in pan on rack.
3. On medium speed, beat remaining butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, then milk and remaining vanilla until fluffy. Spread over brownies.
4. Using decorating gel, pipe alternating red and green stripes onto icing; drag toothpick through lines to create pattern shown below. If desired, top with additional halved peppermint candies.