Heavenly Mint Brownie Dessert

Name: Heavenly Mint Brownie Dessert
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 cup sugar; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 12 mint Andes candies, chopped; FILLING:; 12 ounces cream cheese, softened; 6 tablespoons butter, softened; 1 package (10 to 12 ounces) white baking chips; 1 tablespoon shortening; 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract; 3 to 4 drops green food coloring, optional; 12 mint Andes candies, chopped; GANACHE:; 9 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped; 1 cup heavy whipping cream

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake 20 min. + cooling YIELD: 12 servings.

This dessert has a brownie base with a melt-in-your-mouth mint layer of chopped Andes candies. It's topped with a smooth, rich chocolate ganache to make it truly incredible. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Ingredients

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup butter, cubed
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
12 mint Andes candies, chopped
FILLING:
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 package (10 to 12 ounces) white baking chips
1 tablespoon shortening
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 to 4 drops green food coloring, optional
12 mint Andes candies, chopped
GANACHE:
9 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a microwave, melt unsweetened chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Cool slightly.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar and salt. Stir in chocolate mixture. Gradually add flour, mixing well. Fold in mint candies.
3. Spread into a greased 9-in. springform pan. Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
4. For filling, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until blended. In a microwave, melt baking chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Beat into cream cheese mixture. Add extract and, if desired, food coloring. Fold in mint candies. Spread over brownie layer. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
5. For ganache, place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; stir with a whisk until smooth. Cool slightly.
6. Spread ganache over filling. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. Remove rim from pan.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 669 calories, 49g fat (30g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 221mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (47g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein.