Peppermint Bark Brownies

These brownies are one of my favorite holiday desserts because they combine cream cheese frosting, candy cane and brownies and those are three of my favorite sweets! It was actually the first thing I ever baked in college, my freshman year in the door. I knocked on everyone's doors to see if they wanted one and everything. This brownie recipe is creamy and dense, giving it a nice fudge-like texture that goes amazing with the frosting and crushed peppermint. Plus, they look festive!

Makes: 9"x13" pan                  Prep time: 20 minutes                   Bake time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• Brownies
• 3 sticks of butter
• 3 1/3 cups sugar
• 6 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 3/4 + 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• Peppermint Bark Topping
• 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 1 package of cream cheese (8 oz.)
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prep a 13"x9" pan with butter, set aside.

Step 2: Over medium heat, melt the butter and sugar in a saucepan, allowing the sugar to boil and become smooth.

Step 3: Move butter mixture into a large bowl and with an electric beater, mix in the eggs, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, espresso powder and vanilla until smooth.

Step 4: Slowly add in the flour and chocolate chips until combined.

Step 5: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for approximately 30 minutes, until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 6: While brownies are cooling, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the butter, cream cheese and peppermint extract until smooth.

Step 7: Add in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, alternating with 1 tablespoon of milk until creamy.

Step 8: Spread cream cheese frosting over the cooled brownies and immediately sprinkle crushed peppermint over the frosting.

Step 9: Cool brownies in the fridge for 1 hour before cutting. Store in airtight container until serving.