Holiday Brownies

Makes 8x8” pan, serves 9 or more

1 stick unsalted butter

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp peppermint extract

1/3 cup flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 tsp salt

8-10 candy canes whole or chopped

Up to 1/4 lb white chocolate, chopped

Up to 2T holiday jimmies scattered.

Heat the oven to 325F and pan spray an 8x8” baking dish.

In a large microwave safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate chips together in the microwave in 30 second spurts, stirring in between blasts until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes.

Mix in the sugar, eggs, vanilla and peppermint extract, stirring until the mixture is smooth and glossy, about 30 seconds.

Mix in flour, cocoa powder and salt, stirring just until the batter comes together. Pour into the prepared pan, adding candy canes, white chocolate pieces and sprinkles to the top for decoration. Bake at 325F for 25 minutes, just until the flint forms and the brownies start to set (the gooier the better, if you ask me).

Cool the brownies before slicing into three rows of three squares and serving. (I pop mine in the freezer before cutting in!)