TWD: A Tribute to Katharine Hepburn Brownies

I know what you are thinking.  Those don't look like Dorie's Tribute to Katharine Hepburn Brownies, chosen by our logo contest winner Lisa of Surviving Oz (click for the recipe).

I guess that must make these my Tribute to Katharine Hepburn Brownies.  

There are many adaptations of Katharine Hepburn's famous brownie recipe floating around the internets, so I guess we can just add one more to the mix.  I think she would have liked these. 

I nixed the nuts (NO NUTS IN BROWNIES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO) and the cinnamon, lowered the coffee, and baked these for 35 minutes rather than 30.  I then added a layer of mint creme (HOLLA!) and a chocolate ganache top.

I think they look like super-sized Andes Mints.  

Many of the TWD bakers stated that these brownies were ooey gooey, but I didn't get that.  I also didn't get that crust on the top that Dorie said would appear.  So I must have done something wrong.  But I like whatever mistake I made.  Even without the mint layer, I think that this may be my go-to simple brownie recipe.  They were firm and fudgey, and the addition of the cool minty layer and a thick chocolate ganache had me doing backflips.

Do you remember that York Peppermint Pattie commericial where the guy jumps on his table and pretends like he is skiing when he takes a bite of the pattie? 

Well, that was me after taking a bite of these brownies.  Minus the 80s hair.  

These brownies are an absolute keeper.  Check out TWD for the rest of the Katharine Hepburn Brownies.  No ski goggles required.

Mint Layer adapted from Cooking Light

• MINT LAYER:
• 2  cups  powdered sugar
• 1/4  cup  butter, melted
• 2  tablespoons fat-free milk
• 1 1/2  teaspoon peppermint extract
• 
  GLAZE:
• 3/4  cup  semisweet chocolate chips
• 3  tablespoons  butter
•   
• Combine powdered sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, milk, and peppermint extract; beat with a mixer until smooth. Spread mint mixture over cooled cake. 
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• To prepare the glaze, combine the chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until melted, stirring after 30 seconds. Let stand 2 minutes. Spread chocolate mixture evenly over top. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.  
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Comments

[Cookin' Canuck]

A mint layer inside brownies? I'm sold! These look fabulous!

[Maria]

Love the changes you made. I agree, NO NUTS in brownies! Great job once again!

[Leslie]

Brilliant! I love your tribute brownies, too!

[Katrina]

While I don't fully agree about the nuts in brownies issue, I do love a minty brownie. YUM-O!!! These look awesome! Yours is only the second one I've had time to look at, but I'm gonna love this.
Definitely a GREAT, simple, go-to brownie!
And you're right--yours do look like a giant Andes mint! I'll share mine if you share yours!

[Tangled Noodle]

Katherine Hepburn was an original - no doubt she would approve of your independent streak with these brownies! I love nuts in brownies but would happily swear off them if the alternative is this creamy mint layer. Giant Andes Mints exactly! My husband will love these!

[Tracy]

Those look delicious! Nice work!

[Marthe]

Amazing!!

[Babette]

Oh, HOLLA, indeed!!! I did say think, "Whoa" when I logged in--sure don't look like MY brownies. And I am totally with ya on the no nuts in brownies deal..

AND? Chocolate mint is about my favorite flavor EVER.

So yours is a keeper. Nice work.

[Michelle]

Yum! They look delicious and soo pretty! I love the middle layer, great idea! Ande mints are my favorite!

[Chris]

I also thought mint would be a perfect tribute to Ms Hepburn. Alas, I only had fresh mint and the thought of figuring out how to incorporate it was NOT happening last night.
They look fabulous! Great job!

[Beryl]

Brownies and nostalgia- Love it!

[Clivia]

Delicious addition! I love mint patties and am going to have to try your recipe. Lovely!

[Susan at Sticky,Gooey,Creamy,Chewy]

Totally agree about the nuts...and the cinnamon. Your brownies look perfect! Katherine would have approved. Now, I wish I would have made them. But, I just couldn't bear the thought of one. more. brownie. in this house!

[Amy]

Great idea. These brownies were so thin, they kind of cried out for another layer (or two!).

[isa]

These look awesome!
I love mint patties, fantastic addition.
I agree, no nuts in brownies!

[peggy]

You have come a long way with this baking Teanna! I am so impressed and in awe. Those are beautiful. :)

[Erin]

I feel the same way about nuts in brownies. What a wonderful addition to add peppermint patties!

[Kim]

I want one. Those look fantastic. I love peppermint patties. I think you should post a video of you eating the brownie and doing a ski jump. Too funny.

[Amy (Sing for your supper)]

Oh MAN!! Now these are my kind of brownies! I almost threw in some Andes mint chips, but decided not to at the last minute.....I should've!!! The look great!

[Megan]

Sold! Just imagine those brownies chopped up in ice cream.....

I'll leave you with that visual now.

[Hornedfroggy of My Baking Heart]

Love it! :) I didn't get the fudgy part or the crust either, so I guess we both messed up... they were so yummy, though!!

[sara]

Awesome. I was actually thinking about adding some mint extract to these, but you really went all out. I am so going to try this next time I make some brownies.

[Wendy]

I love mint and chocolate. YUM!

[Cathy]

Hello! I LOVE what you did with these! The mint layer sound amazing, and it's from cooking light - that makes these practically a health food! I agree with you - NO NUTS IN BROWNIES!

[Kayte]

Wow, you really dressed up the brownies in their fancy clothes! Beautiful colors and textures on these. I didn't get the crust Dorie was talking about until mine had baked about 45 minutes.