Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these festive Mint Swirl Shamrock Brownies, featuring a rich chocolate base swirled with a refreshing peppermint frosting, and cut into charming shamrock shapes for a fun and delicious holiday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Base
- 1 box (18.5 oz) brownie mix (or homemade brownie recipe)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup water (or as directed on box)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for extra fudgy texture)
Mint Swirl Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Green food coloring (for the swirl effect)
Decoration
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for drizzling)
- Shamrock-shaped cookie cutter (for shaping the brownies)
Instructions
- Prepare the Brownie Batter: In a medium bowl, combine the brownie mix, vegetable oil, eggs, water, and vanilla extract. Stir in the 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips if using. Mix until fully combined but do not overmix.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into a greased 9×9 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let brownies cool completely in the pan.
- Make the Mint Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix well. Add milk one tablespoon at a time to reach spreading consistency. Stir in peppermint extract and a few drops of green food coloring to achieve a swirl effect.
- Frost the Brownies: Spread the mint frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Use a knife or toothpick to create swirls by gently dragging through the frosting to form a marbled effect with the green food coloring.
- Chill and Shape: Chill the frosted brownies in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up the frosting. Once set, use a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter to cut the brownies into festive shamrock shapes.
- Decorate with Chocolate Drizzle: Melt the 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and drizzle over the shaped brownies for added chocolate flavor and decoration. Allow chocolate to set before serving.
Notes
- Using the optional 1/2 cup chocolate chips in the batter enhances the fudginess of the brownies.
- Make sure brownies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- Adjust the amount of green food coloring to achieve your desired swirl intensity.
- Store brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For best results, let the chocolate drizzle set at room temperature or in the fridge before serving.
