Homemade Holiday Series
Dear friends, it’s officially the holiday season, it’s time to bake, create and decorate! I’m starting a blog series this year which may become a tradition if you all enjoy it. I plan to share some recipes and creative ideas that will still leave you plenty of holly jolly fun time. I’m starting with this semi-homemade recipe for” Chocolate Peppermint Brownie Christmas Trees. They don’t take a lot of time but they will look like they did. (smile)
What You Need
- Brownie Mix ( you will reduce butter or oil by 4 Tbsp).
- Ingredients for boxed mix and
- 1 Egg ( along with eggs in box ingredients)
- Flour (for dusting the pan)
- 1 tsp. Baking powder
- 1 Drop peppermint extract*
- Sprinkles
- Cooling rack
- Chocolate sauce/drizzle (try Torani Dark Chocolate Sauce)
- Peppermint sticks (thick ones not candy canes, optional)
- Parchment paper
- Cake pan * (spring form Pans work well)
- 2 Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Cooling rack
Before We Start
Preheat the oven to the temperature setting on the brownie mix, which is usually 350°. Prepare the baking pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Lightly dust the inside bottom and sides with flour.
Let’s Make It!
In a bowl add dry ingredients from the mix and baking powder, stir with fork to combine. In 2nd bowl add eggs from box ingredients adding one extra egg. Whisk until frothy.Add wet ingredients from the mix (reducing oil or butter by 3 Tbsp.)Whisk together. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake according to box directions.
To test for “doneness”, insert toothpick into center, if it comes out clean it is ready. If it comes out wet, extend baking time by 5-minute intervals, checking each time. Remove from baking pan and place on cooling rack. Place parchment paper on the counter or work area. Add the brownie to the parchment paper. Cut triangles or trees, or use a cookie cutter. Push a peppermint candy cane stick into the bottom of the tree.
Drizzle or spread chocolate sauce on top of each tree, add sprinkles. Ta Daa!
*Katie’s Tid Bits You can make this without the peppermint extract. If you prefer to use your own brownie recipe, increase the egg. Lessen the oil or butter by three tablespoons. Add baking powder. You can use cake pop sticks instead of peppermint candy cane sticks.
