Creme de Menthe Brownies

When I was a kid, my sister used to make really excellent mint brownies with creme de menthe. Since as a youngster I didn't understand that the alcohol in the liqueur bakes out, I thought this is what people meant when they said "special" or "happy brownies". I mean, they make me happy.

All you need to do is add 1.5-2 oz of creme de menthe to your favorite brownie recipe. We used the Prescription-Strength Fudge Brownies from The Weekend Baker because you can make the whole thing in one pot (pictured), but you can find some other recipes here or here (or a box, if that's your style). Taste the batter (yes, you're allowed) until it seems almost minty enough for your taste -- the flavor will intensify when baked.

Top with powdered sugar or green sugar crystals and serve for the holidays -- these are a perfect alternative to Christmas cookies -- or anytime.


Ingredients:

• 12 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 3/4 c flour

Melt butter in a saucepan on medium. Remove from heat and add the cocoa powder. Whisk until smooth. Add sugar and salt and whisk until blended. Add the first egg and whisk until blended (there's a lot of blending in this). Then add the vanilla and second egg and whisk some more. Sprinkle the flour over the chocolate mixture and stir with a rubber spatula.

Pour into a lightly greased 8-in square baking dish. Bake at 350 for about 32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with small, gooey clumps of brownie on it.

National Kahlua Day

So dave said “it’s Kahlua day can you make something “ I said “SURE OF COURSE I’ve been looking for an excuse to make Kahlua cake”.

WELL suddenly it was Sunday night, the weekend had passed and I hadn’t gotten to the cake BUT we did have a box of brownie mix. SO I thought OH I can make “white russian” brownies by making cream cheese brownies but adding vodka to the cream cheese and kahlua to the brownie mix.

You can see the results below… TASTY but disastrous.

Not sure if it was my off the cuff baking or inability to wait until something is cool to take it out of the pan BUT, these DID NOT make it from pan to plate ok. Looking to remedy the situation, I thought oh what the hell I’ll just Paula Dean them (that is add some butter) so I started to slather icing on top thinking I could make it look like a cake (icing hides flaws) well, I ran out of icing so I just plopped a large spoonful in a bowl with some ice cream poured a little Kahlua on top and dug in…yes they are ugly but I’ll be damned if they don't taste like a white Russian dream .

SO- if you make this for guests and have the same issue just prep it out of their sight… they will still believe you to be the hostess with the most (if all else fails fill them with any leftover vodka)

Uh-OH White Russian Brownies

Ingredients:

• 2 packages (8 oz. size) cream cheese softened
• 3 eggs
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 TBS cup flour
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup Kahlua
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1 Box Brownie Mix (store bought)

Directions:

Cream together cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/4 cup sugar, vodka, 2 Tbsp flour and 2 Tbsp soft butter, set aside.

In a separate bowl mix brownies according to package instructions for “fudgy brownies- usually 2 eggs instead of 3) Stir in 1/2 cup Kahlua; mix well.

Pour half brownie mixture in a buttered and lightly floured 9" baking pan.



Add cream cheese mixture smooth around (be careful not to scrape the bottom of the pan)





add remaining brownie mixture.- smooth around some more. Bake at 325 F for about 30 minutes.


When cool brush with 1/4 cup of remaining Kahlua.

UH OH



Add icing if you like and DEFINITELY Serve with ice cream

Salvadorian Amaretto Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts

Salvadorian Amaretto Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for pan
• 6 ounces 70% coco chocolate
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch salt
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup Salvadorian Amaretto liqueur
• 1 1/2 cups walnuts
• Powdered sugar, for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Grease baking pan thoroughly with butter so the brownies don't stick
3. Melt butter and chocolate over a double-boiler (bowl over a pot of boiling water) and stir gently until smooth and shiny
4. Remove from the heat and cool slightly
5. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a mixing bowl and set aside
6. Whisk together eggs, sugar and amaretto in a mixing bowl until combined
7. Pour in chocolate mixture and continue to whisk until combined
8. Add flour mixture, then add walnuts and incorporate with a spoon
9. Transfer batter to baking pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a knife comes out clean when inserted into the middle of the pan
10. Let cool completely and serve

Commentary:
I first saw this recipe on the Food Network show Tyler's Ultimate. It looked mighty good. When I went to go make them I decided to up the amount of Amaretto so that you could taste its almondy goodness....and mmmm they were mighty good. You should make sure to keep an eye on these while they are in the over so they dont overcook and get dry on you. This is a good one for the chocolate and nut lovers. Hope yall enjoy!