{Christmas Cheer Link Party} Christmas Recipes!


Welcome to the next round of the Christmas Cheer Link Party!!

We've decked the halls with boughs of holly, hung the stockings with care, and DIY'd our little hearts out...but now comes the part you know we all look forward to during the holidays...the FOOD!!!

These, my friends, are peppermint bark brownies...and they are DELICIOUS!!!  Take all the deliciousness of peppermint bark and add a soft, chewy, fudge brownie into the mix.  I am literally drooling as I type!

Take a homemade brownie, add a layer of chocolate on top, then white peppermint chocolate and top it off with crushed candy canes.  It's the perfect blend of chocolate and peppermint.  Super delectable but not too rich!  

Peppermint Bark Brownies
{Recipe found here::great step by step}

Brownie Layer:

2 sticks unsalted butter
8 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped {I used semi-sweet}
3 1/2 cups white sugar
5 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
a pinch of salt--maybe 1/8 to 1/4 tsp.
1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract


Melt butter and chocolate in a double-boiler or on 50% power in the microwave--being careful not to burn the chocolate. Using an electric mixer, beat sugar and eggs until light and thick {about 10 minutes}. Add the melted chocolate and butter. Fold in flour. Bake at 325 for about 25 minutes in a well-greased 9"by13" baking dish.  {Note...for me, the brownies took more like an hour to bake!  Not sure why...maybe the altitude?}.
For the Peppermint Bark Topping:

11 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
11-12 oz. white chocolate chips
1 drop of peppermint oil/extract
5-6 candy canes


Sprinkle the semi-sweet chips over the hot baked brownies {immediately after they've come out of the oven}.  Let them sit for a few minutes and spread the melted chips to the edges and corners of the pan. Let the semi-sweet layer harden a bit before proceeding to the white chocolate layer.

When the semi-sweet chocolate is set, melt the white chocolate chips in a double boiler {or carefully in the microwave} and add the peppermint oil. Drizzle the white chocolate over the top. Use an offset spatula to spread white chocolate to the edges and corners.

Crush the candy canes and sprinkle them over the top of the white chocolate.
Either refrigerate or freeze the brownies until the chocolate is hardened. Use the foil handles to pull the brownies from the pan. Peel away the foil and the waxed paper. Place the brownies on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to score the surface of the chocolate and then go back and cut through to the bottom. {I used my big chef's knife.} Depending on the size, you could get anywhere from 20 to 30+ brownies. Serve. Keep cool when storing--I recommend in the fridge, and in an airtight container.

 I cut the edges off to give it a more even look.  Look at that fudgey goodness!

Similar to their sister {aka the real deal: peppermint bark} these make great gifts for the holidays.  Or keep them to yourself...either way, they won't last long!



Now it's your turn!!!  Link up your Christmas recipe below...and grab a button too!

Michaela Noelle



Can't wait to see what you've all whipped up!

xo natasha

P.S. Find me over at Mustard Ceiling today talking about my favorite Christmas Tradition!



55 comments :

  1. Those look so delicious! I've had the bark but never one with a brownie. Thanks for sharing! :D
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

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  2. Yum! I am so excited to see all the recipes. We are having a grad party Saturday (dessert and candy bar) and am looking for fabulous ideas!

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  3. I love candy canes! I use them to stir my hot cocoa! Thats my favorite!

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  4. I'm actually making peppermint bark today! It's a recipe I've been making for several years now, but I never thought about adding a brownie underneath. I love this idea and might have to try it! I'll be linking up later today.

    New Follower! Congrats on your new addition :) Motherhood is a blast!

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  5. Yum, yum, yum! This may be the winner for the cookie exchange I'm going to on Friday. Loving the new header! :)

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  6. This sounds like my dreamworld dessert. Yummm!

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  7. Your peppermint bark looks delicious- so festive!!

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  8. YUM! These look amazing! I'm going to be doing some baking this coming weekend, so I might try these.

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  9. Looks delicious!! Congratulations on the big news! Very exciting!! Now, let's EAT!!

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  10. Natasha, those look incredible!! YUMMMMMMMMMM!

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  11. Yummmm! Those brownies look incredible. Might have to make those... like, tonight!

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  12. WOW! My obsession with brownies just grew a bit. I must try these! Thanks for sharing :)
    fashiontruffles.blogspot.com

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  13. Those look VERY yummy and also very pretty! i'm still building my list of "to-bake" items! :)

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  14. Oh yum! And thanks for the party!

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  15. that fudge looks amazing!!! and SO EXCITED FOR YOUR NEWS!!!! Congrats sweet mama!

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  16. Those look positively yummy! I also shared a Peppermint Brownie recipe.

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  17. LOVE this post! Sooo many festive ideas for Christmas!

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  18. looks so yummy & festive. and super DUPER congrats on the baby!

    xoxo navy & orange

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  19. Party at Natasha's!!! =) hehe thanks for hosting love! Your photos look awesome!!!!!

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  20. Yum! All I have wanted is Peppermint Bark, and this looks delicious! PS: I am still so excited that you are pregnant! I want to see more pictures of your little growing bump!!

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  21. That looks & sounds fabulous! Definitely bookmarking this recipe :)

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  22. good heavens these look sinful!!

    also CONGRATS on the little babe! so excited for you guys :)

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  23. Oh. Wow. These look mouth-watering Natasha. May have to whip these babies up for my upcoming Christmas gathering.

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  24. Oh my lord, I can feel myself putting on the pounds just reading this post...and I'm loving every minute of it! DELICIOUS!

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  25. Yum, these look incredible. You can't beat the combination of peppermint and chocolate and Christmas time. I may have to break down and make these!

    Thank you for stopping by to share your holiday tradition today!

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  26. Your bark brownies look delicious!! All these recipes have me drooling...and it's only 9am!

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  27. These look so fantastic!!! I was just in Williams Sonoma yesterday sampling peppermint bark...LOVE that stuff! This is a great way to turn it into an actual dessert! (c:

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  28. Thanks for inviting me over--there are so many yummy things to look at and make :)

    The Farm Girl

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  29. These look insanely good. Linking up. Everything looks so good.

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  30. this party is making me hungry! thx for hosting!

    xo,
    cristin

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  31. Hi -- you've got a new follower! this is my first time visiting your blog, and i looove it!!

    p.s. congrats on the baby!! xoxo

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  32. Yum Yum Yum! Seriously, mouth watering :)

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  33. Yum! I will try and link my brownies if I can figure it out! All these goodies are making me very hungry!!

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  34. Oh my word!!! Those look AMAZING!!!!! What an amazing link up, too :) Now I know where to get all of my holiday recipes from ;) xoxoxo brynn

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  35. These look decadent! Yummy! I do have a sweet tooth and these are going on the list to make this week! It's so fun to see so many wonderful recipes. Great party you all are having!

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  36. Your recipe looks so yummy! I am sure eating those are on your preggers diet! HAHA! They would be on mine, I am so happy for you...You are so CUTE pregnant! Thanks for hosting and enjoy!

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  37. New follower, found you through Yummy Mummy. Thanks for hosting this wonderful Christmas party. Glad to join you all.

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  38. Natasha, There are some wonderful recipes here! I just went to a cookie exchange this morning and now I see so many more things I could have made! Thanks for your recent visit!
    -Shelley

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  39. YUM! Cooking is not my strong point, so I didn't have anything to link up, but I'm definitely looking forward to browsing the links and getting some inspiration.

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  40. oh man I gotta try these out! M is obsessed with anything mint. hopefully this time I keep them out of bella's reach...

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  41. They look amazing. Thank you for hosting this yummy link party.

    Megan

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  42. Those bars looks absolutely heavenly!! Thanks for the great recipes!
    xo
    Sharon

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  43. You just blew my mind with these -- brownies and peppermint bark in one tasty dessert? Yes, please!

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  44. Such a festive recipe...can't wait to try it!

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  45. These look so tasty! Definitely want to try these out for Christmas.

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  46. I am having a peppermint themed Christmas party. I think I might have to make these! Yum! xo

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  47. Good food and good friends, my favorite way to celebrate the holidays :)

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  48. Wooowzas!! Look at this amazing link-up turn out!!
    I'm home alone and am walking down the stairs in 1 minute to whip up something sweet!! Screw eating healthy during this fabulous month!!

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  49. Hi Natasha! I just stumbled on your great blog last night, and was happy to have something to link up. Thanks for visiting me at domestiCate. Give the macarons a shot...they're yummy! I'm looking forward to trying your brownies. Congrats on your pregnancy!

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  50. these look seriously delicious! definitely have to make these!! :)

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  51. Oh my goodness. These look so divine! I'm in love with anything peppermint at Christmas.

    I'm sure i'm super late to the game, but I love your new blog design. :-)
    Abby

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  52. these look amazing -- definitely trying this week when my fam comes!! thank you, dear!! xoxo

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  53. oh yum! Definitely saving this recipe!

    xoxo.

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