Wearing Green on the Inside!

Today is Saint Patrick's Day. I don't know why we make a big deal about this day other than it's fun and gives us a reason to have a holiday for the month of March. If you don't wear green today, you run the risk of getting pinched, which may or may not be a good thing for you. If you don't own anything green, you can make these awesome mint brownies and tell everyone you are wearing your green on the inside!

Thanks to my friend Jenny for sharing the recipe with me (but I don't know where it came from before that). She says there are 231 calories per 2-inch square in case you're counting. 

We both agree they are worth it!

Chocolate Mint Brownies  (the straight version)

Brownies-

1 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sifted flour
Mint Frosting-
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 T milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp peppermint extract
green food coloring
Chocolate Ganache Topping-
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Brownies-
In stand mixer, mix melted butter and 1/2 cup cocoa powder together, then add the sugar, mixing briefly. Add eggs, one at a time until well blended. Add vanilla extract. Whisk salt into the flour and then add to the chocolate mixture, stirring just until blended. Do not over mix.
Pour batter into a 9x13-inch baking pan. I lined my pan with parchment paper, with the ends of the paper hanging over the sides of the pan for easy removal. You can also spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Bake brownies for 25 minutes. Cool for a few minutes, then put them in the freezer for 20 minutes. While you are waiting, make the mint frosting.
Mint Frosting-
Beat butter until it is creamy, about one minute. Add the powdered sugar, milk and peppermint extract and beat until smooth. Add green food coloring a drop at a time until you reach your desired color. Remove brownies from freezer and spread the mint frosting over the top of the brownies. Return to the freezer for 20 more minutes. While you are waiting, make the ganache.
Chocolate Ganache-
Melt butter and chocolate chips in a microwaveable bowl, being careful not to overheat the chocolate. Heat for one minute. Remove and stir to blend mixture together. Drizzle warm chocolate over brownies and spread smooth with a spatula. Return brownies to the freezer for 20 more minutes, then cut into squares and serve.

Now for my twisted version (because I can never leave good enough alone).
Increase the vanilla extract to 1 T in the brownie section. In the mint section, add 4 oz of softened cream cheese, adjusting powdered sugar to taste (the straight version was a little too sweet for me). In the ganache section, use the leftover chocolate frosting that is sitting in the refrigerator instead of making new ganache. Ignore the extra calories this adds to the 231 number.
Happy Green-wearing day, even if it is only on the inside!