Peppermint Cream Cheese Filled Brownies

These brownies are just so darn festive that I can hardly stand it. There are so many lovely components to this brownie, I’m not even quite sure were to start. Should I tell you about the rich, fudgy brownie on the bottom? Or maybe the ooey, gooey peppermint flavored cream cheese filling? The ganache on top isn’t too shabby either. And, of course, the sprinkle of crushed candy canes is the perfect December addition. You probably better just try them for yourself!

One word of warning, these brownies are messy! You’ll need a fork to eat these babies. Unless you don’t mind licking your fingers. I promise I won’t tell.

 

Peppermint Cream Cheese Filled Brownies

Brownie:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
• 2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Peppermint Filling:

• 1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp. heavy cream (milk would be fine)
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract*
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar (depending on the sweetness you’d like!)

Ganache:

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• 6 tbsp. butter

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Stir together butter, sugar and vanilla in bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each one. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan and toothpick comes out not quite clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Peppermint Cream Cheese Filling: With a mixer beat together softened cream cheese, cream, and peppermint extract. Beat in powdered sugar until smooth. Spread over cooled brownies. Place brownies in fridge while making the ganache.

Ganache: Melt butter and chocolate chips together in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. This should only take 1-2 minutes. Pour evenly over brownies and spread carefully. Cool on counter or in refrigerator until set.

Keep brownies refrigerated. Enjoy!

*I happen to have lots of less common pantry ingredients, like peppermint extract, on hand. It is easy enough to find, but these brownies would still be delicious without it.

I adapted these from my (also delicious!) Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies.