Mint Brownie Sandwich Bars

These brownies were definitely a stroke of genius.  I started with an easy one bowl brownie baked into two layers, then sandwiched some fluffy mint frosting between the layers.  Topped with a thin layer of chocolate and finished off with M&Ms, these brownies are soft, chewy, crunchy, chocolatey and minty all at the same time!  They are unstoppable and easily a new favorite.

Mint Brownie Sandwich Bars

Brownies:

1 cup (4 ½ ounces) All-Purpose Flour

3/4 cup (2 ¼ ounces) cocoa powder

2 cups (14 ounces) sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3 large eggs

1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter, melted

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon mint extract

Mint Frosting:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening
1 teaspoon mint extract
Several drops of green food coloring
2 cups powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon milk

Chocolate Glaze:
4 ounces milk chocolate chips
1 Tablespoon butter
Green M&Ms

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Grease 2 9x9 inch square baking pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper, letting the ends of the parchment hang over the sides of the pan like handles.

Place all of the brownie ingredients in a large bowl and stir together until well blended and smooth. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and smooth the tops.  Bake in the preheated oven for 17 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.  Remove brownies from the oven and let cool completely.

For the frosting, cream together the butter, shortening, mint extract, and food coloring.  Beat in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until combined.  Add the milk and beat until smooth.

When the brownies are cool, run a knife around the sides of the brownies to loosen from the pan.  Using the parchment as handles, lift one the brownie layers out of the pan.  Spread the frosting evenly over the brownie still in the pan.  Remove the parchment from the second brownie layer, and place the brownie layer over the frosting.

In a small microwave safe bowl, place the chocolate chips and butter.  Microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.  Spread the chocolate over the top of the brownie.  Sprinkle green M&Ms on top.  Cut into squares.  Makes 16 servings.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy