Peppermint Bark Brownies

Mmm, peppermint bark. Usually this is a treat reserved for Christmas time, but since my husband and I are huge fans of anything peppermint and chocolate, I don’t see why it can’t be a year-round treat. For Christmas last year, one of my sisters gifted us a box of In the Mix Peppermint Bark Brownie Mix, and we have never been the same.

Okay, that’s a bit dramatic, but seriously, these brownies are amazing. This is one of those where-have-these-been-all-my-life recipes for me. It is so simple to mix up a batch of these, and yet they taste like they are an extra special treat. I think they would make someone really happy if you made them for Valentine’s Day. 🙂

By the way, you could also assemble the dry ingredients, write this recipe onto a note card, and package it as a brownie-mix-in-a-jar kind of gift. I love giving those as gifts because usually people are inundated with plates of cookies and treats during the holidays and this allows your recipient to have a little sweet something later on.

There’s nothing worse than giving a plate of cookies to someone and hear, “Oh no! This is the last thing I need–I’ve already had so many treats this month!” (Almost a direct quote from people I’ve given treats to in the past. And though I wouldn’t say that out loud to someone, I have to admit I’ve felt that for sure.)

Anyway, onto the delicious recipe:

Peppermint Bark Brownies

(inspired by In the Mix Peppermint Bark Brownies)

1 box brownie mix
1/8 tsp peppermint extract (optional)
1 cup vanilla candy melts
1/4 cup crushed peppermint candy

Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions and bake. (If you would like mint-chocolate brownies, add 1/8 tsp peppermint extract to the brownie mix before baking.)

Remove the brownies from the oven and top with vanilla melts before the brownies cool. Spread the melts with a knife and sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy over the top. Let cool completely. Cut into squares and enjoy!

When it comes to deciding what special treat I want to make this weekend, it is so difficult to choose. I made the peppermint bark brownies for this post because I needed them for pictures (and well, those are long gone) so for Valentine’s Day itself, I think I’m going to amend this awesome idea from Heather’s French Press. Her recipe is for peppermint patty brownies (see a trend here?), and they are so delicious.

For my version, I bought a couple of peppermint patties and a bit of brownie mix from the bulk foods section at the grocery store and made individual peppermint patty brownies. I oiled a couple of ramekins, mixed the brownie mix as per the directions, poured half of the mix into each ramekin, topped with a peppermint patty, and poured the rest of the brownie mix over the top. Then I baked the brownies (again, according to the directions on the bulk bin) and took them out a little early because they were smaller than a pan of brownies. Absolutely delicious.

If you’re still searching for a little something to make for your sweetheart, you might want to try my chocolate cake mix cookie recipe or my mini-batch chocolate chip cookie recipe—both make excellent gifts!

Have a lovely weekend!