A Southern Grace: wuv, true wuv

June 5, 2008

wuv, true wuv

Yum

Chocolate and mint are a match made in heaven, the perfect marriage of flavors. But I'll bet you already knew that.


I'm a fan of Junior Mints, Peppermint Patties, and pretty much any combination of mint and chocolate that's ever found its way into my mouth, so these brownies from Joy of Baking have been on my must-make list for awhile.

As noted earlier, I received some decadent Amano dark chocolate from Blake Makes that's just been itching to be used. For this dessert, I randomly decided to use the Ocumare bar, which is said to have an "incredible complex chocolate flavor with natural hints of red fruit." My palate isn't really sensitive enough to detect those hints (I've pretty much dashed any hope of that with my love for the hot and spicy--I'm actually surprised my taste buds work at all), but fortunately, I can still detect deliciousness. This was darn good chocolate.


The brownie layer of these bars is dense and rich and ooey-gooey. The mint layer is cool and creamy and sweet. The chocolate on top (which is where I used the Amano) is crispy and crunchy and completes the bar perfectly. This recipe, my friends, is a keeper.

Oh, and if you didn't understand the title of this post or my name for the recipe below, you're missing out on another of the best movies of all time. Inconceivable!


Magnificent Mawage (that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam) of Mint and Chocolate
(adapted from Joy of Baking)

Ingredients:
Brownie Layer:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Mint Layer:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1-1 1/2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

Chocolate Glaze:
3 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease 9-inch square pan and set aside.

Brownies: Using a double boiler or the microwave, melt the butter and chocolate. Stir in the sugar and vanilla extract. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with a spoon after each addition. Stir in the flour and salt and beat until the batter is smooth and glossy and comes away from the sides of the bowl (about one minute). Pour the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until the brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan and the edges of the brownies are just beginning to brown. A toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies will come out almost clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to completely cool.

Mint Layer: In the bowl, beat all the ingredients until smooth. (Add a few drops of green food coloring if you want the frosting green.) If the frosting is too thick, add a little extra milk. The frosting should be just thin enough to spread evenly over the cooled brownie layer. Place in the refrigerator for about 5-10 minutes or until firm.

Chocolate Glaze: Again using a double boiler or microwave, melt the chocolate and butter. Spread over the mint filling and refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until the chocolate glaze starts to dull.

Cut into small squares (seriously--this is rich stuff) and serve.


Have fun storming da castle! (And watch out for those ROUS.)

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm with you Grace, love chocolate and mint. The hot & spicy can do a number on the taste buds. Thanks for the recipe, it is always nice to come across a keeper. I have missed out on the Princess Bride.

Sharona May said...

Love the combo myself. I am a huge fan of mint anything really. Your dessert looks delightful.

Sharona May

Tabby said...

Oh, I could sooo eat those for breakfast! Yummy! You're pictures are great!

Peter M said...

"Gwace"...I wuv the combo of chocolate and mint...I could eat a box of After 8's!

Anonymous said...

Yay! You qouted my all time favorite movie! And this is sooooo a recipe I need to try. It just sounds awesome!

LyB said...

Mint, chocolate and The Princess Bride, three of my favorite things ever!

"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father prepare to die." I so love that quote!

And Peter Falk as the grandfather, he's the best. OK, I'm going to stop now, or I could be here all day. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh man, you have officially sealed the deal...I'm in love Bugs Bunny! Love it...the gooi-ness is so endearing.

krysta said...

Chocolate and mint are like pork chops and apple sauce or peas and carrots... good seperately but better together.

Sharon said...

Maybe I should hang out with Lyb. I could park myself in front of a Princess Bride showing and feast on chocolate & mint for the rest of my life. Ok, maybe not that long but you get it.

These look decadent in all the right ways.

Unknown said...

Your picture and description of your recipe make it sounds very good. I'm glad you were able to find a creative use for our chocolate and it turned out so well too!

Art
(Head Chocolate Maker at Amano Artisan Chocolate.)

Anonymous said...

Your brownies look heavenly! Great photos. And I love those chocolate-y, mint-y layers.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I have yet to see the movie, but these decadent treats should be on my list Grace:D

Anonymous said...

Oh. My. God.

These are fantastic! Awesome pics - and those brownies are probably the most heavenly-sounding dessert ever.

Yum! Yum! Yum!

Deborah said...

I've been on a sugar strike lately, but these look so good that I may just have to make them! YUM!!!

Mike of Mike's Table said...

That looks beautiful...just oozing with...I dunno...some word for "yummy" that works with "oozing." Whatever the case, I want it NOW! :o

giz said...

You're such a waskely wabbit - this wuv is da best wuv.

Judy@nofearentertaining said...

Oh Gwace that looks so incredible. I think that mint and chocolate are as good as peanut butter and chocolate!

Anonymous said...

Good GWAD! First the guac and now this? I think I gained a pound just looking at that deliciousness. Here's the problem... mint and chocolate are so good, and best had with coffee. Which means, if I make these I'll have to eat them with my morning cup of joe. What's a girl to do?

test it comm said...

Brownies with a layer of peppermint and a chocolate glaze sound amazing! They look great!

toontz said...

I have another mint recipe that I just have to send you, more of a candy. I think you would really like it. Let me know if you want me to. As You Wish.

Mark said...

You killed my diet, prepare to die. HA!

This sounds fantastic. Long time reader, first time commenter. Thanks for the fantastic dessert. Cant wait to try it.

Anonymous said...

mmmm.

mint's definitely a great touch.. the layers look fantastic

Anonymous said...

that picture, those ingredients, you converted another one, grace! this is going in my del.icio.us bookmarks this morning, and it'll be my next baking project. yummm....

Anonymous said...

Ok, now that pic is just mean, Grace. How can you post that in good conscience and then not offer to share? Hmmm? ;)

Anna said...

I waant these, and I don't even like mint. Yeah, I know. Sorry. An orange version calls, I think XD.

Kelly said...

Ahhh, chocolate, mint, and The Princess Bride - three of my absolutely favorite things in the whole world. I knew the reference as soon as I saw it on tastespotting and HAD to check this out.

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Chocolate and mint is one of my husband's favorite combos. I've just never been crazy about it. But this photo is making me reconsider. :)

Anonymous said...

I always say no to mint and chocolate but when I taste it I love it. I don't know why quite honestly. I think I don't like the idea of it but I like the reality of it lol

Dana said...

First of all, I got the meaning of the title right away. One of my favorite movies of all time ("Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die." Love it...) And chocolate and mint are great together. Yum.

Elle said...

After eating a few of these, I'd definitely have fun storming the castle!

Anonymous said...

someone has bested a giant!

i love the chocolate-mint combo. and it's yet another of the few things brian hates, so i always get anything minty all to myself.

My Sweet & Saucy said...

I love the True Wuv comment...so true, so true!

Jeff said...

Chocolate and mint go together like lamb and tuna fish (sorry Big Daddy was on).

Looks awesome!

Anonymous said...

Those just look too good! It's criminal!

Vicarious Foodie said...

Oh my gosh this looks like a giant peppermint patty! Awesome!!

Sophie said...

I just nominated you for an award on my blog :D.

Vera said...

Grace, they look and sound absolutely wonderful! I think mint and chocolate combination is everyone's favorite. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Lore said...

Grace you don't have any mercy, do you? ;) It's almost 10 o'clock at night right now and my brain keeps playing your gorgeous pictures over and over again in my head. I can actually feel how YUMMY it tastes...

Emily said...

I'm in wuv! Yum.
How come I'm always like #40 to get here? Everyone has already taken all of the wuv jokes.

Jared said...

Looks amazing. I agree that chocolate and mint are hard to beat. That dessert looks perfect for a hot day like today.

RecipeGirl said...

My hubby absolutely wuvs chocolate and mint anything. He goes nuts for mint choc. chip ice cream and the Girl Scout thin mints. I think this one would be a nice surprise for him!

Anonymous said...

that's definitely true wuv! gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Princess Bride...one of the best movies EVER! I still have a thing for Mandy Patinkin. And those brownies? Swoon.

Anonymous said...

Mint + chocolate = true wuv. Definitely. My two favorite flavors for any dessert combination. This bar looks DELICIOUS!

Sandy said...

How did you know I snacked on mint chocolate earlier? LOL.

YUMMY!

Anonymous said...

This is a tried and true combo. We were just thinking about it the other day, wondering to create with these again. You've definitely got the answers for us here! looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, I think you've won many people over with merely your entry title! Absolutely decadent-looking brownie, Grace. I'm not big on mint, but I know many people would hit me on the head if I missed out on this. :P

Leslie said...

Oh wow! Yum Yum Yum!
These are a keeper!
As for you comment on my Strawberry Cake...yes, you are true..all that matters is yourself!!! Amen to that!

Cakespy said...

Oh my! In construction they look a bit like a nanaimo bar...but in taste, I'll bet these are just something else! I think I am truly in Wuv.

Honeyed Hashette said...

mawiage is what bwings us togewer today.
I laughed so hard when I saw the title to your post. Ha!
This looks wonderful!

Rosie said...

Grace I just love the combo mint & chocolate you are so right!!

Rachel said...

This is decadent!!!

Anonymous said...

i just saw the princess bride (for the bazillionth time) last weekend! amazing!

ohhh and the brownies! they look delicious. i too have a mint brownie that i've been dying to make. this might be the push that gets it done: your pictures are incredible!

Anonymous said...

some of the best looking brownies I have seen on a blog in along time... no joke. These look amazing.

amycaseycooks said...

Oh my my that chocolate mint treat looks like it is calling my name.

Gigi said...

Just found your blog today...our youngest was born in Amsterdam - St. Mary's Hospital. Memories! We miss upstate NY...lucky you!

I'll see these mint brownies in my dreams tonight I think! Decadent isn't the word!