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We’ve officially reached the season of peppermint everything, and I am here for it. We’ve survived and surpassed pumpkin season and are now on to a new flavor profile that the food marketing gods insist that we consume in mass quantities. I’ve never been a huge peppermint fan, but this year I purchased a bottle of pure peppermint extract and so far I’ve already used it in bark and these brownies. I like making peppermint foods myself because I can control exactly just how peppermint-y it comes out. I’ve never been a huge fan of store bought peppermint foods because I feel like they just way overdo it on the peppermint flavor. I like mine a little more subtle, and these brownies definitely deliver.

This recipe was inspired by my BFF Jess over at Black Orchid Skincare! For months I’ve been listening to her rave about the peppermint brownies at Whole Foods. I haven’t had one myself, but after listening to her tell me all about how much she loves them, I decided that it might be fun to recreate a cleaned up, gluten free edition for the blog!

Also, Mike thinks it’s hilarious to purchase five pound bags of Enjoy Life Mega Chunks. I think we’re on our third bag of them this year. I realize this is an insane amount of chocolate for two (okay fine…mostly one person) people to consume. I won’t tell you what I did with the first two bags and how quickly I depleted them. So let’s just say I had a strategy in mind with the third bag. I used them to make these brownies, my Pumpkin Brownie Sundaes with “Magic Shell,” and some peppermint bark that will also be coming to the blog later this month. I also add them to pancakes, make vegan hot chocolate from them, and sometimes just sit on the couch eating them plain while watching Christmas movies. Chocolate is just the best.

thehungryhungryhiker

Peppermint Brownies

Fudgy, gluten free brownies with a hint of peppermint!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 9 brownies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks, divided I used Enjoy Life Mega Chunks
  • 1 stick butter, melted
  • ¾ cup maple sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 + ½ tsp pure peppermint extract
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • ¼ cup tapioca flour/starch
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • pinch sea salt
  • ½ tsp baking soda

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8" x 8" baking dish with parchment paper.
  2. Add ½ cup of the chocolate chips or chunks to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for one minute, then stir. Microwave in 15 second intervals and remove to stir until chocolate has melted. Set aside to cool a bit.
  3. Add the melted butter and the maple sugar to a large bowl. Beat with an electric hand mixer until fluffy. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract and beat 1-2 minutes more. Add in the melted chocolate and use a spoon to combine.
  4. Add in all of the dry ingredients and stir with the spoon until just combined. Do not over mix. Fold in the remaining ½ cup of chocolate chips or chunks. Transfer the batter to the parchment paper lined baking dish. Bake at 350° F for 35-40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the brownies comes out clean. You may have to try a few different places to make sure you are getting all brownies and no melted chocolate pieces!
  5. Let cool almost completely. Slice and enjoy!