These Mint Milano Christmas brownies are a delightful departure from traditional flavors, offering a dense, chewy, and rich treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. The recipe incorporates festive elements like mint truffle Hershey’s kisses and sprinkles in snowflake or star shapes to give them a merry makeover. To take it to the next level, the brownies are topped with Christmas tree designs, making them an ideal addition to your Christmas dinner spread. If you’re looking for a fun and creative recipe to add to your holiday baking list, this one is sure to bring joy. The subtle mint flavor harmonizes beautifully with the deep chocolate notes, while green frosting piped into Christmas tree shapes adds a charming touch to each brownie.
How to Make this Christmas Dessert
Prepare these easy-to-make peppermint brownies for a delightful holiday treat. The simplicity of this recipe makes it perfect for the busy season. Begin by combining cocoa, flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Next, microwave the butter and chocolate chips together until they form a smooth mixture.
In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla, and the chocolate-butter mixture. Then, add this mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Spoon half of the mixture into a parchment-lined baking dish, followed by a layer of Mint Milano cookies. Top with the remaining batter and bake until done.
Once the brownies have cooled in the pan, you can cut them into squares using a sharp knife. For the festive touch, use green frosting to create a Christmas tree design on each square. Start by adding a Hershey’s kiss to each brownie, then pipe the buttercream frosting in a swirly pattern over it. Finally, add some sprinkles and a dusting of powdered sugar (resembling snow) for a finishing touch. You could also incorporate candy canes into your design.
These adorable brownies are sure to be a hit at any Christmas party or gathering. If you’re a brownie enthusiast, consider pairing them with the brownie sundae waffle bowls for an extra-special treat.
Optional Dried Fruit to Add to the Brownies
As the holiday season approaches, consider elevating your classic brownies with a burst of dried fruit. This sweet and indulgent combination is perfect for Christmas gatherings. To get started, simply fold in some raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped mixed fruits into the brownie mixture, allowing their natural sweetness to meld with the rich chocolate.
Festive Christmas Tree Brownies FAQs
While preparing for Christmas celebrations, you may wonder about the shelf life of these brownies. Fortunately, you can prepare and bake them in advance, storing them at room temperature in an airtight container with foil or plastic wrap. They’ll remain fresh for a day or two. However, it’s best to wait until just before your holiday party to frost the brownies, as the frosting may seep into the rich chocolate if applied too early.Regarding the use of Hershey’s kisses in the recipe, they’re not essential but do provide an added layer of flavor and texture that complements the minty taste. Nevertheless, you can omit them altogether or substitute with another type of candy or brand if you prefer. If you’re new to piping designs, using Hershey’s kisses as a guide can be helpful in creating precise shapes. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and the brownies will still turn out delicious regardless.
Mint Milano Christmas Brownies Recipe
Mint Milano Christmas Brownies
Bella Bucchiotti’s Mint Milano Christmas brownies are a masterclass in textures and flavors. These dense, chewy, and rich treats are elevated by the festive touch of Christmas tree decorations on top, making them an ideal addition to your holiday celebrations, whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner or a festive party. To create these showstoppers, you’ll need to dedicate just 20 minutes to prep work, followed by 25 minutes in the oven and an hour’s chill time before serving. The end result is well worth the effort: 12 brownies that are sure to delight.
Instructions
To begin, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, and salt. Meanwhile, microwave the butter and chocolate chips in 15-second increments until smooth and well combined. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding it to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, then stir in the eggs, vanilla extract, and melted chocolate-butter mixture. Line a 7×11-inch baking dish with parchment paper and scrape in about half of the brownie batter. Top this layer with a single layer of Mint Milano cookies, followed by the remaining brownie batter. Bake for 25 minutes, then let cool completely before slicing into 12 equal pieces. For an added touch, consider trimming any rough edges to achieve clean, straight cuts.Once the brownies have cooled and been cut, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Pipe a small dollop of green frosting onto the bottom of an open Hershey’s kiss, then place it on one of your brownie squares with the frosting side down. Beginning at the base of the kiss, pipe small stars around the circumference, working your way up to the top. To complete the design, add a single snowflake or star-shaped sprinkle to the very top of each frosted ‘tree.’ Finally, dust lightly with powdered sugar to give the impression of freshly fallen snow.
Notes
While it’s true that you can create these brownies without using the iconic Christmas tree-shaped brownie toppers, the real beauty lies in their simplicity. In fact, if you’re not feeling like getting creative with the tree toppers, you could always opt for a convenient box mix of brownies and still end up with a delicious treat. The best part is that these brownies are versatile enough to be enjoyed at any time of year, whether it’s during the holiday season or on a random Tuesday.