Copycat Starbucks Peppermint Brownie

Kzim4's Note:

A mint chocolate brownie with a mint buttercream icing topped with chocolate! And it all starts with a box of brownie mix!

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 9

Brownies

• 1 (19 1/2 ounce) box fudge brownie mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Frosting

• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 (12 ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325. Then prepare a 9x9 inch baking dish by spraying lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Cut a piece of parchment paper to the width of the bottom of your pan but long enough to extend over the edge of the right and left sides of the pan.
2. Sift brownie mix to eliminate any clumps. Then add melted butter, water eggs and 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Mix by hand just until dry ingredients are incorporated.
3. Pour into prepared pan. Bake according to package directions. Let cool.
4. Beat together cup powdered sugar and 1/2 cup softened butter. Mix in another 1/2 cup powdered sugar, then add 1 tablespoon milk and peppermint and vanilla extracts. Spread frosting evenly over the top. Place brownies in fridge to firm up frosting.
5. Bring 1/3 cup milk and 1/4 cup butter almost to a boil over medium heat. Pour chocolate chips into a heat-safe bowl. Pour milk mixture over the top and let sit for 5 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and whisk until smooth. Use an electric mixer to beat in 1 cup powdered sugar until frosting is smooth. This will make more than you need, so remove 1/4-1/3 cup frosting and reserve for another use.
6. Spread chocolate frosting over the white frosting on the brownies.
7. Place back in fridge for about an hour to firm up frosting. Remove brownies from pan and slice into 9 pieces.

Reviews

[l.church]

These were good. I didn't add extract to batter. I wanted only a hint of mint flavor.My niece loved as she loves mint chocolate.

[Chef #453502]

These are wonderful--as good or better than the ones I buy at my local Starbucks. I did use a 9x13 pan for these. My family asked me to double the mint frosting portion of the recipe for next time.

[CascadiaWA]

I'm sure these brownies are good, but I can tell just by reading the recipe that these will not mimic the Starbucks brownie. The brownie from Starbucks uses a cream cheese filling, NOT a buttercream type frosting the way these do. If you look at the ingredients and really do a thorough taste test by separating the filling part from the brownie, you can tell just by mouth feel alone. Buttercream melts on the tongue whereas the filling in the Starbucks brownies don't - they have a more cheesecakey texture to them.