Homemade Mint Chocolate Brownies ~ A healthy alternative & frugal

Baking your favorite desserts from scratch to satisfy that sweet tooth does not need to be complicated or time consuming. I prefer homemade over store bought any day. I am in control of the ingredients, I do not add preservatives and I can give my family treats without breaking the bank. The biggest plus is I get to share my passion of baking and homemaking with my granddaughters (teach them when they are young and when they get old they will not depart from the ways, teach them to be a good keeper of the home). Here is a simple recipe for delicious homemade brownies with a mint chocolate frosting. They will be your families new favorite. It takes only about 10 minutes to assemble and mix up then bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Cool slightly then top off with your homemade frosting.


The great thing about this recipe is that the brownies always turn out moist. I have made this recipe many times and they have always turned out great! You can experiment with different flavors in your frosting by substituting Lemon or Orange extract in place of the Mint OR you can have a traditional chocolate frosting by totally omitting any extract except for the Vanilla which should be in any of the variations that you do. Here is a link for my homemade 100% pure Vanilla Extract. My recipe calls for 1/2 Coconut oil & 1/2 Butter ~ You can substitute ALL 100% Organic Coconut oil (not fractionated) with no problem, likewise you can use All Butter.


Homemade Mint Chocolate Brownies

1 Stick Butter (or 2 with no Coconut oil)
1/4 Cup 100% Pure Organic Coconut oil (or omit if using all butter)
1 Cup Water
4 TBSP Baking Cocoa
2 Cups All purpose Flour
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Buttermilk (*see tip below for using whole / 2% milk)
1 Tsp Baking Soda
2 Eggs (I use farm fresh ~ love my hens)
1 Tsp 100% Vanilla Extract

Put butter, coconut oil, cocoa & water in a sauce pan on medium heat to melt, stir to mix well. Put the flour and sugar in your mixer or bowl and pour the hot chocolate mixture in and mix well. In a separate cup or bowl mix milk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla and beat slightly to mix all. Pour into your batter and continue mixing for a few minute to incorporate well.
Pour batter into a lightly greased (coconut oil or butter) 10 * 13 baking sheet / dish. Bake at 350 for 20 -25 minutes depending on how hot your oven cooks.
As your brownies are baking start your frosting

Frosting:

1/2 Stick butter
4 TBSP Cocoa
5 TBSP milk
1 Tsp 100% pure Vanilla Extract
2 Tsp 100% pure Mint Extract (Can substitute for your favorite)
1 lb bag of Powdered Sugar - you will only use about 10 -12 ounces depending on how sweet you want the frosting.

Put all ingredients (EXCEPT the sugar) into a small saucepan and heat over medium low heat. Once all is melted turn the heat off. Slowly mix in the sugar and mix well. Once it is all mixed I put the saucepan back onto the stove over the burner where the heat from the oven will keep it slightly warm.

When the brownies are done, sit the baking dish on a cooling rack and allow to cool for about 5 minute then pour your warm frosting over the entire pan. It will spread easily because everything is still warm. 
This makes a pretty big batch!  I usually cut into small squares once cooled and freeze about 1/2 of the batch for later use.

* Tip for Buttermilk that I always use (because I never buy buttermilk) it is quite simple and has been working for me for over 30+ years in many different recipes. 
Use your regular milk and for every 1 Cup of milk add to it 4 Tsp of 100% Real Lemon Juice. In this recipe you will use 1/2 Cup of milk and 2 Tsp of Lemon Juice.

Enjoy! I would love to hear about your favorite recipes as well.

#frugal #DIYBaking  #AllNaturalFoods  #SustainableLiving  #EasyRecipes #EasyDesserts