Frosted Peppermint Brownie Cookies
A decadent perfectly peppermint Christmas cookie! You get a rich brownie-like cookie base topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Then they’re finished with peppermint candies for a pretty festive color.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (4 oz) unsalted butter, diced into 4 pieces
- 1 cup (6 oz) good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, roughly chopped
- 1 1/4 cups (175g) all-purpose flour (scoop and level to measure)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2/3 cup packed (148g) light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup (70g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese , softened
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter , softened
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- Crushed peppermint candy canes , for topping
Instructions
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To a microwave safe bowl add chocolate chips, unsweetened chocolate and butter. Heat on HIGH power in 20 second increments, stirring between intervals until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool, about 25 – 30 minutes.
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Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt for 20 seconds, set aside.
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In large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer set on medium-high speed, whip together eggs, egg yolk, brown sugar and granulated sugar until pale, fluffy and creamy, about 3 minutes. Mix in vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Mix in cooled chocolate mixture.
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Using a wooden spoon, stir dry mixture into egg/chocolate mixture just until combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill until partially set, about 45 minutes (it should be easier to roll and chilling will reduce spread). Preheat oven to 350 degrees during last 10 minutes of chilling.
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Scoop dough out about 2 – 2 1/2 Tbsp at a time (35g each) and shape into balls. Place dough balls on Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets spacing cookies 2-inches apart. Bake in preheated oven 8 – 11 minutes (cookies should look slightly under-baked they’ll continue to cook slightly once removed from oven).
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Cool on baking sheet about 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool frost with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting then sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
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For the frosting:
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In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together cream cheese and butter until pale and fluffy. Add peppermint extract and powdered sugar and mix until pale and fluffy.