No time to bake from scratch? No worries. A boxed Brownie mix hack creates amazing Fully Loaded Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Brownies with chocolate ganache topping. You’ll love all the fun additions in these brownies. Gluten-free or with gluten.
If you are like me your Christmas preparation is an unending list, spanning the gross obvious tasks to the subtle ones; those details that are the signature of what is your personalized holiday traditions. I’m whittling away at the end of that list. All the big gifts have been purchased (I think), and are stashed in my designated wrapping room with a Gandalfian ‘You Shall Not Pass’ sign on the door.
Key things like the new pajamas which are opened on Christmas Eve are here. My husband has begun planning meals which he always prepares. We have a wreathe on the door and our stockings are hung. I had a panicked chat session with Amazon.com about a gift delivery gone rogue, and worked out a solution. It definitely feels like pulling it all across the finish line at the last minute this year to me.
Then it struck me, we need to bake for Santa. What should be a fun happening to look forward to feels a bit like ‘one more thing’ I’ll confess. BUT it doesn’t have to.
I’m here to tell you friends there is no shame in doctoring a good baking mix to get to a fabulous end result with less effort and thinking. These Fully Loaded Chocolate Peppermint ‘Oreo’ Brownies (with chocolate ganache and candy top I’ll add) are something that would cause Santa to reroute to your house first.
Using a brownie mix you love (2 boxes technically), I’ve doctored the mix to add white chocolate baking chips, chocolate sandwich cookies and topped them with a chocolate ganache, peppermint M & M’s and crushed candy canes (or starlight mints if out of candy cane season). Never let it be said that last minute challenges aren’t done BIG in my kitchen!
The box mixes are prepared as instructed with the white chocolate chips added. It is then divided to add half to the pan, covered with chocolate sandwich cookies and the other half of the mix. After baking and cooling, a simple chocolate ganache is prepared to frost the top and the candy is added.
The brownies are luxe and festive. A 9-inch by 13-inch pan feeds a crowd due to their richness. Mine are gluten-free (ingredient brands I used are included in the recipe) though they can be made with gluten mixes and Oreos as well!
Recipe
Fully Loaded Chocolate Peppermint ‘Oreo’ Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 boxes Brownie Mix (I used Pillsbury Gluten-Free Brownie Mix) AND any ingredients required to prepare the mix as listed on the box (e.g. eggs, oil, etc.)
- 1 cup White Chocolate Baking Chips
- 24 Chocolate Cream Center Sandwich Cookies (I used Glutino gluten-free Chocolate Vanilla Crème Sandwich Cookies)
- 6 ounces Bittersweet Cacao baking chocolate , chopped
- ½ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
- ¾ cup M&M White Peppermint candies
- 6 6- inch Candy Canes; unwrapped , placed in a heavy gallon plastic bag and broken into small pieces (refer to photos) by pounding with a meat tenderizer or hammer
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to the temperature specified on the brownie mix. Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Prepare the brownie mixes are directed on the package (for doubling the mix). Stir in the white chocolate chips. Spread ½ the mix to cover the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Place the sandwich cookies on top of the brownie mix (4 cookies across and 6 rows). Spread the remaining mix over the brownies. Note: it will be difficult to fully cover all the cookies. Try to cover the cookies at least with a bit of the batter although they will be covered with the chocolate ganache too.
- Bake for the time specified on the package or 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted is clean when removed. Allow to fully cool.
- To make the ganache: Combine the chocolate and heavy whipping cream in a heatproof metal bowl over a boiling pot of water (don’t allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the surface of the water). Stirring often allow the chocolate to fully melt; remove from heat. Stir in the butter, whisking or stirring until it has melted and the mixture is fully combined. Allow the ganache to slightly cook and then pour onto the top of the cooled brownies and spread to fully cover.
- Sprinkle the top with the M&M’s and the crushed candy canes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the top is fully set.
Shell says
Peppermint brownies sound amazing! I’ll have to try this soon!
gingermommyrants says
I am definitely making these for my Christmas party. They look so delicious I am sure everyone will love them.
Ann Bacciaglia says
This recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make these for the Holidays. I am sure they will be a big hit.
Marcie W. says
Now THIS is my kind of brownie! Totally festive and flavored perfectly for Christmas too.
mommyblogexpert says
Two of my absolutely favorite flavors, especially this time of year: chocolate and peppermint. Your recipe looks delish and I look forward to trying it.
Pam Wattenbarger says
These look so tasty! I have been wondering what kind of dessert I should make for Christmas dinner this year.
Myrah @ Coupon Mamacita says
Ahh! This is what I like to call a “kitchen sink” recipe. I can’t wait to make it and then NOT share it with anyone.
Jennifer H says
Wow! This looks amazing, and I know it would be something my family would enjoy!
Colleen Lanin says
Let’s see. Brownies, peppermint, and M&M’s. Sounds like a total winner to me!
Toni Dash says
Don’t forget the white chocolate chips and Oreos in the middle and the candy canes on top of the chocolate ganache frosting!
Colleen Lanin says
I didn’t forget. I was just so excited by the whole thing, I forgot to mention it. I won’t forget to eat it, though!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Those are FULLY awesome! Nothing is better than peppermint and chocolate. Unless, of course, you put it all into a brownie!