Grasshopper Bars Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees and line the bottom and sides of an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• Make the brownies: In a heat-safe bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the 8 ounces/227 grams bittersweet chocolate and 1/2 cup/113 grams butter, stirring occasionally until smooth.
• In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs and brown sugar together, until the mixture lightens a bit in color and texture, about 1 minute. Whisk in the cocoa powder, vanilla extract and salt, followed by the chocolate and butter mixture. Fold in the flour until just combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the brownies are set and a toothpick inserted into the center has a few moist crumbs, 20 to 25 minutes. Set the pan on a rack to cool completely.
• Make the buttercream: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add the crème de menthe, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, and a pinch of salt and mix until smooth. Lower the mixer speed and slowly add the confectioners' sugar. Increase the speed and beat until smooth. Taste and add more peppermint extract if desired.
• Spread the buttercream over the cooled brownies, then refrigerate the brownies until the buttercream is cold and firm, about 30 minutes.
• Make the ganache: Combine all of the ingredients for the ganache in a heat-safe bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Warm the mixture, stirring occasionally until it is melted and smooth. Pour the chocolate over the cooled buttercream and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Chill until the topping is set, about 30 minutes. Store the brownies in the refrigerator. For the cleanest slices make sure to remove the brownies from the pan and wipe off your knife in between cuts.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, stir all Bar ingredients until soft dough forms. Press into pan; bake 15 minutes. Cool about 10 minutes.
• In large bowl, stir all Frosting ingredients until smooth. Spread over bars.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave all Glaze ingredients on High 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Drizzle over frosting. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix flour, sugar, and cocoa powder in a large bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Set aside 1 cup of the crumbs to be used as the topping. Press remaining crumb mixture into an ungreased 8x8-inch baking pan.
• Bake crust in the preheated oven until set, about 15 minutes. Remove and let cool. Keep oven on.
• While crust is cooling, beat cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg, peppermint extract, and green food coloring; beat well. Stir in milk until batter is smooth. Pour batter over the cooled crust. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture on top.
• Bake until filling is set, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool before cutting into 25 bars.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease square pan, 8x8x2 inches. In medium bowl, beat granulated sugar, 1/2 cup butter, the vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, or stir with spoon. Stir in flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Spread in pan.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool 15 minutes. Mix remaining ingredients except chocolate; spread over brownies. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat chocolate over low heat until melted; spread evenly over powdered sugar mixture. Refrigerate at least 3 hours. For bars, cut into 5 rows by 5 rows; cut each bar diagonally in half to form triangles.

Steps:

• Make the buttercream layer: In a medium size heavy-bottomed sauce pan, whisk the sugar and flour together. Add the milk and 3 tablespoons of the cream and cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil and has thickened, 5-7 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and beat with an electric mixer on high until cool. Reduce the speed to low and add the butter. Mix until thoroughly incorporated. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the filling is light and fluffy. Add the peppermint extract and green food coloring, if using (add until you get the desired green tint you're looking for), and beat until combined. The consistency should be smooth and creamy. If too stiff, add the additional tablespoon of cream. Spread the buttercream over the cooled brownie layer and chill in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes. Make the chocolate glaze: In a medium size bowl, combine the chocolate, corn syrup and butter and melt in the microwave, stirring with a rubber spatula and checking often to avoid scorching. When melted, stir vigorously for 1 minute to cool. Pour over the buttercream layer, tipping pan in each direction so the buttercrream is completely and evenly covered with the glaze. Chill the bars in the fridge for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve, remove the pan from the fridge 15 minutes prior and cut the bars into squares with a warm knife and serve immediately. Store in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 350°F Spray bottom of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
• 2. In large bowl, stir all Bar ingredients until soft dough forms. Press into pan; bake 15 minutes. Cool about 10 minutes.
• 3. In large bowl, stir all Frosting ingredients until smooth. Spread over bars.
• 4. In small microwavable bowl, microwave all Glaze ingredients on High 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Drizzle over frosting. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Make brownie layer:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly butter a 13- by 9-inch baking pan and line with 2 crisscrossed sheets of foil, leaving a 2 inch overhang on all sides. Butter foil.
• Melt butter and chocolate with brown sugar in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove from heat. Whisk in eggs and vanilla until combined. Whisk in flour, cocoa, and salt until just combined.
• Spread batter evenly in baking pan and bake until set and a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs adhering, about 20 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a rack, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Make mint ganache:
• Bring cream to a simmer in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan and remove from heat. Pour over white chocolate in a bowl. Let stand 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Stir in crème de menthe and extract and chill, covered, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 1 hour.
• Make chocolate ganache:
• Bring cream to a simmer in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan and remove from heat. Pour over bittersweet chocolate in a bowl. Let stand 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Chill, covered, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 30 minutes.
• Assemble layers:
• Spread mint ganache over top of cooled brownie in a thin even layer using offset spatula, then chill until firm but still slightly sticky, about 30 minutes.
• Spread chocolate ganache over mint and chill until firm, about 2 hours.
• Lift dessert out of pan using foil overhang. Run a heavy knife under hot water and wipe dry, then trim edges of dessert (1/4 inch off each side). Cut dessert into squares and peel from foil.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir bar ingredients until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan. Bake 15 minutes. Cool about 10 minutes.
• In frosting container, stir in mint extract and food color. Spread over bars.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave glaze ingredients uncovered on High 30 seconds; stir until smooth. Drizzle over frosting. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows.