Black and White Peppermint Brownies

I found this recipe while I was with my Hungry Puppies in Target recently.  We all decided it would be a fabulous recipe to make for Christmas.  I was feeling incredibly ambitious and decided that it would be a simple thing to convert the recipe and make it from scratch instead of using mixes.  Then life happened, and I totally changed my mind.  I am totally feeling the semi home made-ness of this recipe.  My youngest Hungry Puppy threw these bars together super fast, and they are incredibly delicious.  The recipe made a 9x13 pan, but I really only needed an 8x8 so I adjusted the recipe to account for that. It only uses half of the sugar cookie dough, so use the rest to make cookies, or double the recipe to make a 9x13 pan.

Black and White Peppermint Brownies

1 (1 pound size) sugar cookie mix
1 (8x8 pan size) brownie mix
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 white chocolate chips
1/2 bag white chocolate peppermint M&Ms (or use chocolate mint M&Ms)
Holiday sprinkles

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Spray an 8x8 inch square baking pan with cooking spray, set aside.

Prepare the sugar cookie mix according to package directions.  Press HALF of the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan (use the remaining dough for another use).  

Prepare the brownie mix according to package directions and stir in the mint extract.  Pour the brownie batter over the sugar cookie dough layer.  Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the top.  Bake the brownies for 25 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove brownies from the oven.

Place the white chocolate chips in a small microwaveable bowl.  Heat the chips in the microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.  Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the brownies.  Immediately sprinkle the M&Ms and sprinkles evenly over the brownies.  Let cool completely before cutting.  Makes 16 brownies.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy