Chocolate and Peppermint Dipped Brownie Balls

When the kids decided that they wanted to bake for ALL their teachers (there are 23 teachers and staff members who oversee/teach/take care of my 3 children) I was fine with the idea, but told them that they needed to help me. So each child helped and as a result we had all sorts of fabulous goodies to package up. We are huge chocoholics. So, it seemed natural we bake some chocolate goodies. Brownies and brownie balls were on our list. To dress them up and make them more festive we dipped them in melted chocolate and then again in crushed candy cane. Our treats were not only tasty, but very pretty!

One Bowl Brownies -- These are really fudgy!

4 squares Baker's unsweetened baking chocolate
1 1/2 sticks of butter
2 cups of sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. *vanilla
1 cup of flour

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease your brownie pan.

Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwaveable bowl (not plastic!) for about 2 minutes, until butter is melted. Stir butter and chocolate until you get a smooth mixture. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Stir in flour. Pour and spread in to your prepared pan.

Bake for 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted int he center comes out with fudgy crumbs. Do not overbake. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares, remove and eat!

Should make 24 brownies!!!


To make the Brownie Balls you'll need to follow your favorite brownie recipe. (Box will do, but home made is really better in this case.)
* After the brownies are done and have cooled, use a small circle cookie cutter and then roll the brownie in your hands in the shape of a ball. Place on parchment paper and repeat until all the brownies (save for the edges) are used up.
* Make a double boiler by placing a metal mixing bowl over a pot of boiling water. Carefully pour in about 1/2 bag of chocolate chips. Stir slowly and frequently until the chocolate is smooth and well blended.
* While chocolate is melting placed crushed candy cane pieces on a small plate.
* When the chocolate is ready, carefully dip the brownie ball into the chocolate and cover, roughly, half the brownie ball, then dip again into the candy cane and place on the parchment paper, candy side down.
* Repeat this step until all the brownie balls have been covered and dipped.
* Place in the refrigerator for a few minutes to help the chocolate harden.
* Serve on a pretty plate, platter or package them up for gifts.

If you are in a time crunch, or simply do not want to be bothered by making the brownie balls, you can do this with regular brownies. The result is still stunning.