Mint Brownies

(picture from Family Fun)
Mint Brownies (BYU recipe) - Lori S.

MAKES ONE 9-BY-13 PAN OF BROWNIES

1 c. margarine or butter
1/2 c. cocoa
2 Tbsp. honey
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

12 oz. chocolate icing (Use your own icing recipe or purchase some chocolate frosting. You can also search the Internet for chocolate icing recipes.)**I used the recipe below for a chocolate glaze.

MINT ICING
5 Tbsp. margarine or butter
dash of salt
3 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
2 1/3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. mint extract
1-2 drops green food coloring

1. Melt margarine and mix in cocoa. Allow to cool. Add honey, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Add nuts. Pour batter into a greased 9-by-13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.

2. Prepare mint icing: Soften margarine. Add salt, corn syrup, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting.

3. Spread mint icing over brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing. Remove from the freezer and carefully add a layer of chocolate icing.

***Lori's notes***
- My brownies took longer than 25 minutes to bake.
- You could use a different recipe for the brownie part, if you have a personal favorite.
- Be sure the brownies are cool, before adding the mint topping.
- I used the Chocolate Topping below; it's more of a glaze than a frosting.
- Let the mint layer harden before adding the chocolate topping.
- Let the chocolate layer harden first, then let it sit out of the fridge for a little while before cutting.
- I lined my pan with parchment paper, and when I was ready to cut the brownies, I lifted the brownies out of the pan to cut them. Much easier!!

Chocolate Topping
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons butter

To make the chocolate topping, pour the chips into a microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, and microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes or until the chocolate melts. Stir until smooth. Pour the chocolate over the brownies and smooth it with a knife. Refrigerate for 45 minutes or until the coating hardens.