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:
- 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.
- 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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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!!
Posted by: Hornedfroggy of My Baking Heart | July 07, 2009 at 11:56 AM
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.
Posted by: sara | July 07, 2009 at 12:09 PM
I love mint and chocolate. YUM!
Posted by: Wendy | July 07, 2009 at 12:14 PM
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!
Posted by: Cathy | July 07, 2009 at 12:18 PM
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.
Posted by: Kayte | July 07, 2009 at 12:23 PM
I'm a little verklempt...talk amongst yourselves.
OH MY GOD! These look awesome!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 07, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Damn right, no nuts in the brownies!
Your brownies combine both breathmints and chocolate . . . you are a genius!
Posted by: Sugar B | July 07, 2009 at 12:52 PM
What a fantastic brownie creation. I totally agree about the no nuts in brownies rule! I would have loved to see you jumping off the table :)
Posted by: Kristen | July 07, 2009 at 01:07 PM
LOL, love when you "holla"! Too funny.
Hope you had a wonderful 4th!
~ingrid
Posted by: ingrid | July 07, 2009 at 01:51 PM
These sound great! I've made a similar brownie before with a mint layer, but I'm liking the thickness of the mint layer in yours better.
Posted by: lisaiscooking | July 07, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Brownies with nuts are an abomination. Brownies with mint are an integral part of a balanced diet. Proceed.
Posted by: Kelly D | July 07, 2009 at 03:36 PM
Incredible how one recipe comes to so many glorious endings!! These look very excellent.
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | July 07, 2009 at 04:27 PM
My reaction when opening your page was "WHOA".
These look great. I didnt get the 'crust' you typically get on a brownie either. Looks like we baked our brownie portion exactly the same ;)
Btw--love the 80's hair. ;)
Posted by: Courtney | July 07, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Whoa, those look really good with that thick layer of mint and MORE chocolate on top.
Posted by: Jill | July 07, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Those look REAAAALLLLY good. I'm a sucker for mint. Like you, I nixed the cinnamon and reduced the coffee, but I love nuts, so left those in.
Posted by: Madam Chow | July 07, 2009 at 07:07 PM
Great idea to add the mint and chocolate layers. It's been forever since I've made something like that.
Posted by: Di | July 07, 2009 at 07:53 PM
hahahahaha! Andes were EXACTLY what it made me think of - right after I thought "Teanna is a freaking genius!" that is!
Posted by: Holly | July 07, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Oh my goodness, these look fabulous!!!!
Posted by: Farah | July 07, 2009 at 08:59 PM
As always, your brownies look delicious! I love the mint in the brownies - chocolate and mint is such a great combination!
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | July 07, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Oh wow love your adaptation of this recipe!!
Posted by: Ashley | July 07, 2009 at 10:41 PM