Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tuesdays with Dorie - Brrrr-ownies!

Karen of Welcome to our Crazy Blessed Life picked this weeks TWD choice. She picked Brrrr-ownies. I was excited to see brownies as the choice, until I read the recipe. When I saw that Peppermint Patties were to be used I started having my doubts.

I am not a big peppermint person. I used to like peppermint. But that was before a Christmas party at which I got a little over intoxicated on Rumplemintz, a very potent peppermint schnapps, and finished my night praying to the porcelain god. :}For some reason, ever since that night, long, long ago, I am not too crazy about peppermint. Go figure.

However, the hubby loves peppermint. Peppermint patties, peppermint gum. Peppermint ice cream.  I love him in spite of that. And, because I love him in spite of his love of peppermint, I decided to bite the bullet and make these brownies for him.

These were so simple to put together. Melt some chocolate and butter. Mix in some sugar, eggs, vanilla and flour. Fold in some chopped up peppermint patties. I have to admit, it seemed a terrible shame to me to "ruin" a perfectly delicious tasting brownie batter by adding the patties, but I went ahead and added them. Poured the whole bowl of batter into a buttered foil lined pan and baked away.

I peeked at the brownies after about 28 minutes, to see how they looked and was horrified to see white bubbles of peppermint patties oozing up out of the crust. (At this point I had not read the P&Q). I figured it was too late to do anything about it, and left the pan in the oven for another  few minutes till they were done.

I followed Dorie's directions for peeling off the foil, but had several spots of brownie/melted patty that stuck to the foil. I forged ahead, grabbed a knife and cut the batch into 16 small bars. Took some pictures and set the brownies aside.

Later, when the hubby tried them, and sang his praises about how delicious and chocolate-y and moist and chewy they were, I decided to try a little bite to see what all the fuss was about.

Wow! These things are soooo good. Dangerously good. Moist. Chewy. Rich. Full of dark chocolate-y flavor. Surprisingly not overly peppermint-y. There is a cooling sensation in your mouth as you eat them, but I really didn't feel like I was eating peppermint patty laced brownies. I loved them!

These I will make again and I am thinking all kinds of candy bar additions...Milky Ways, Snickers, peanut butter cups...the list goes on and on. If  you would like to see what the other bakers thought, head over to TWD and find out. Me? I think I might go eat me a brownie. :)

On a different note...I had a busy week (busy compared to how it's been anyway) in my baking business. Thought I would leave you with a few pictures of the cakes and cupcakes I made this week.

25 comments:

  1. I used peanut butter cups this time around, but I'll be making these again too, with all kinds of chocolate bars. I think I'll have to try mint next, based on your description, though!

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  2. My brownies looked just like yours when I pulled off the foil. :) I feel about nuts the way you do about peppermint...why ruin a good thing! I am glad you ended up liking these! Thanks for baking with me this week!

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  3. Your baked goods are so beautiful! Your brownies look wonderful!

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  4. Your cakes are gorgeous. I can see why you've been busy.

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  5. LOL on the love/hate relationship with peppermint. Looks like you have overcome at least part of the aversion, so nice of you to bake these for the husband, he sounds like an appreciative man! Your cakes look beautiful...so creative and talented you are!

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  6. How great that you actually liked this one when you thought you wouldn't. And those cakes look really great!

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  7. Great pictures, Susan--I particularly like the one of the cupcake flames. =) Glad to hear that you liked these after all. And I agree, lots of other things that could end up in these brownies. Peanut butter cups up next, I think.

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  8. Peppermint schnapps...that'll do it. ;)
    Your brownies turned out beautifully! And I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed them too. :D

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  9. The brownies look great! You are a good wife for making them after your experience with peppermint! LOL! Those cakes are gorgeous! You are very talented!

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  10. They look perfect! You know I sprayed my foil with Pam instead of buttering and my brownies came right out. And you and I must be twins because I used to like peppermint and now I do not. Especially that peppermint bark people make at Christmas. It is NOT good. Sorry all you mint lovers. I do love York peppermint patties though, but I used peanut butter cups instead.

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  11. I love me some peppermint patties (York only, please) and I love me some brownies, but I didn't care for these. Mine bubbled and oozed and turned strangely sticky, which I didn't care for. But here they are getting eaten by all.
    I'd rather have caramel and pecans with my brownies!
    WAY cute fireman cupcakes!

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  12. oh i LOVE your beach cake. so creative!

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  13. I have to try these brownies! I am not a big mint person either but based on the recommendation, I can't resist!

    Love the baked goodies. The fireman cupcakes are soooooooo cute.

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  14. LOL....You peppermint story gave me a good laugh. Glad you liked these though!

    P.S. love the beach cake, super cute!

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  15. Glad these were a hit! I figure with brownies, add in any chocolate and they only get better! :)

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  16. Your brownies look great! Glad you ended up enjoying them despite your peppermint aversion!

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  17. Those cakes are stunning - I can see the amount of time involved! Wow... but so glad you fit the brownies in - they were wonderful!

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  18. Glad these were a hit with the hubs. And you too. Isn't it nice when things surprise you.

    Cakes look wonderful.

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  19. Wow, absolutely beautiful cakes! I'll be emailing you soon for some advice :)

    And your brownies looks absolutely divine! Weren't these just insanely good?! I am actually kind of jealous that my brownies didn't have the peppermint patties bubbling out the top. :(

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  20. Your brownies look fab, and glad you enjoyed them as well as hubs. I love your beach themed cake - cute!

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  21. Yay! You're reconverted to peppermint and chocolate! Glad you and the hubs loved them, and your latest cake projects are super cute.

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  22. Good job on the brownies. I couldn't get peppermint mints where I live, so used peanut butter chips and white chocolate chips. They turned out fine. Your cake projects are super. I always enjoy your posts. I am going to email you with a couple of posting questions, if that is okay.

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  23. It's great that you liked these when you were sure you wouldn't! cute cakes & cupcakes too!

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  24. I'm glad you got over your peppermint phobia with these brownies.
    Your other goodies look delicious. Are those sunflower cupcakes? Beautiful!

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Please feel free to comment. I love hearing from others.