Green Mint Brownies with Ganache (Printable)
Fudgy brownies with refreshing mint cream and glossy chocolate ganache topping—an indulgent three-layer dessert.
# What You'll Need:
→ Brownie Layer
01 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
06 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
→ Mint Cream Layer
09 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
11 - 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
12 - 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
13 - 2 to 4 drops green food coloring
→ Chocolate Ganache
14 - 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
15 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
16 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder until just combined.
03 - Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool completely in pan.
04 - In a medium bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Add heavy cream, peppermint extract, and green food coloring. Beat until light and fluffy. Spread evenly over cooled brownies.
05 - Refrigerate brownies for at least 30 minutes until mint cream is set.
06 - Place chocolate chips and butter in a heatproof bowl. Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering. Pour over chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and cool slightly.
07 - Pour ganache over mint layer and spread evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until ganache is completely set. Lift from pan using parchment overhang, cut into 16 equal squares, and serve.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between the cool, refreshing mint layer and the rich chocolate creates a flavor experience that lingers pleasantly on your palate long after the last bite.
- These brownies always draw compliments and recipe requests when I bring them to gatherings, making you feel like a culinary genius with relatively simple techniques.
02 -
- Rushing the cooling process between layers will cause the mint cream to melt into the warm brownies and the ganache to melt into the mint layer, creating a muddied mess instead of distinct, beautiful layers.
- The brownie layer should be slightly underbaked for that perfect fudgy texture, so dont worry if the center seems a bit soft when the timer goes off.
03 -
- Line your pan with parchment that extends over all four sides, creating handles that allow you to lift the entire brownie slab out cleanly before cutting.
- For special occasions, try infusing the cream for the ganache with fresh mint leaves, straining them out before pouring over the chocolate for a more complex, natural mint flavor.