Cake, Batter, and Bowl

Peppermint Brownie Torte

Desserts

I’m proud to report that I finally squeezed in some holiday baking! I whipped up these gingerbread cookies and Emily’s soft buttery sugar cookies on Monday night and they were both a big hit at work. Two thumbs up for both recipes!

Of course, I also couldn’t let the holiday season pass without making a peppermint and chocolate treat because I’m in love with the flavor combo. I always order mint Oreo blizzards at Dairy Queen and have often thought they would be even better with some brownie chunks in the mix. This torte is a twist on that idea.

I baked my favorite brownies in a cheesecake pan (I left out the baking powder this time so they’d be more fudgy and less cakey), and then spread festive peppermint ice cream on top and topped the torte with some chopped Oreos. I really wanted to top it with the candy cane Trader Joe Joe sandwich cookies, but they somehow all disappeared before I thought to set any aside…they’re just so addicting!  This torte is really easy to make and you can change the ice cream flavor to suite your mood. The only downside is that you have to work a bit to cut through the brownie layer since the ice cream needs to set in the freezer, but I think it’s worth the little extra elbow grease. Time to clean and pack before we head out for the holidays! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Peppermint Brownie Torte
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

Brownie Layer:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chunks

Torte Assembly:
1 quart (4 cups) peppermint ice cream, softened (I let mine sit out on the counter for 20 minutes)
6 coarsely chopped Oreos

Directions:
To make the brownie layer, heat oven to 350˚F. Microwave the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a microwavable bowl at high power until the butter is melted, about 2 minutes. Stir until combined, then mix in the vanilla extract. Meanwhile, beat the sugar and eggs in a large bowl and then add in the melted chocolate mixture. Stir in flour and salt; mix in chocolate chunks. Spread the brownie mixture evenly into a greased 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350˚F for 18 to 22 minutes or until the brownies are set and a toothpick inserted in the center of the brownies comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.

To assemble the torte, spread softened ice cream evenly on top of the cooked brownie layer. Sprinkle Oreos evenly on top. Freeze overnight or until ice cream is set again. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. Makes 12 servings.

Nutrition: 364 calories, 19.1g fat, 1.6g fiber, 4.1g protein per serving
Cost: $0.63 per serving

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Cups

I'm very excited to be featured on Jen's blog, Beantown Baker, as part of her Friday Favs series today!  You'll find my recipe there for these Reese's Peanut Butter Cookie Cups.  They have a peanut butter cookie bottom filled with a Reese's cup and are topped with a...

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting

Yep, another cake recipe! I finally broke out the canned pumpkin and the first thing I wanted to do was make pumpkin cupcakes with Nutella cream cheese frosting. I entered these decorated ones in our work Halloween baking contest today and didn’t win the prize...

Pistachio Mint Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies

Does anyone else hoard baking chips? My drawer is currently overflowing with regular chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, mini chocolate chips, mini M&Ms, regular M&Ms, Heath toffee chips, and Andes Crème de Menthe chips. And I recently used all my peanut butter...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Turtle Cheesecake

I’ve been having a lot of fun in the kitchen lately.  First of all, I’m reviewing a product from CSN Stores, a fabulous Boston-based company with over 200 online shops.  They have everything you need for your house, from a vanity to a grill, so...

Pineapple Ice Cream Sundaes

It’s my birthday tomorrow and I’m turning the big 3-0!  I'm not exactly sure how this happened so quickly, but I’m excited for the future and by the fact that Apolinaras promised to bring home my favorite carrot cake cupcakes from Petsi’s Pies! Speaking of birthdays,...

Honey Sesame Cashew Brittle

I think I inherited my love of peanut brittle from my grandpa. My brother and I always gave him a few boxes of brittle for Christmas when we were growing up and I can’t see peanut brittle and not think of him! Whenever I’m in a gourmet candy shop I may peruse the...

Oreo Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Truffles

I often joke that I’m a walking advertisement for Costco because I’m always gushing about my latest find or fabulous deal. From their cute greeting cards to their juicy sweet fresh strawberries – I love it all! In fact, I’ve talked about Costco in eleven posts...

My Mom’s Culinary Arts Program and Chocolate Cake

I’ve been meaning to tell you about the very cool Culinary Arts High School Program my mom runs at Central Campus in Des Moines, Iowa for awhile now, and I figured this would be the perfect opportunity since I won’t be cooking up any recipes to share while we’re on...