Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies

One of my new favorite recipes. This is what I made for John to take to work on Sunday. I think these would be perfect to take to a Christmas party. Oh, and I hope your not afraid of butter. ;)

Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies
4 4oz squares unsweetened baking chocolate
2 sticks butter
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
Frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
4 Tbs butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
2-3 Tbs milk
pink or red food coloring
Chocolate Glaze
6 oz (about a cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 Tbs butter
Additional
crushed candy canes

Preheat oven to 350
Give your baking chocolate a rough chop so they'll be easier to melt. Place them in a microwave safe bowl along with the 2 sticks of butter (also chopped).
Melt in 30-45 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Set aside. In a stand mixer or with electric beaters, beat eggs for about 3 minutes until thick and frothy. Add sugar and vanilla and beat to combine. Then add in the melted chocolate and butter. Whisk flour and baking powder into the brownie batter, by hand, until just combined. Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 pan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. Don't over bake! When brownies are done, cool on a cooling rack. When completely cool, pop them in the fridge to chill. It will make spreading the frosting easier.

Combine all frosting ingredients and beat until light and fluffy. Add extra milk to reach desired consistency. Spread evenly over chilled brownies and place back in the fridge to chill again while you make the chocolate glaze.

Place chocolate chips and butter in a microwave safe bowl and cook in 30 second intervals until smooth. Stir occasionally, so it can cool off just a bit. Quickly spread on top of brownies.
Sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top and return to the fridge until chocolate is set.
Remove from fridge a few minutes before serving and cut into squares.

John prefers them without the candy canes on top, so I did half with, half without.
I hope you make these and enjoy them as much as we did!