Peppermint Cheese Brownie

                                      

Chocolate & Brownie. Those words alone could make anyone happy. But what happens when you add peppermint? Very happy times ahead :) .... so here is the beautiful & yummy recipe.

Ingredients

For Brownie

1 cup plain flour (maida)

2 tsp cocoa powder (preferably unsweetened)

1 1/2 tbsp dark chocolate

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp soda bi-carb

1/2 tsp baking powder

6 tbsp curds (dahi)

5 tbsp milk

5 tbsp melted butter

1/2 cup chopped mint chocolate (optional)

1/2 tsp peppermint essence

For Cream Cheese

3/4 cup fresh cottage cheese

1 cup sugar (according to taste)

1/2 tsp peppermint essence

For Ganache 

1/2 tsp butter

1 tbsp heavy cream

4 tbsp chopped dark chocolate

1/4 tsp peppermint essence

Method

For Brownie

Pre-heat the oven to 180˚ C

Sieve together flour, Cocoa, soda & baking powder.

Melt dark chocolate & butter over double boiler

Add sugar & peppermint essence & mix well. Add curds & mix really well.

Mix chopped mint chocolate with flour so it wont settle down after baking.

Fold milk & flour alternately but end with flour. Make sure there are no lumps.

Pour brownie mixture into a greased & dusted baking pan.

Place in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

For Cream Cheese

Churn all ingredients in a mixer.

For Ganache

Pour the heavy cream into a small saucepan.

Heat the cream over medium-high heat, & bring it just to a boil. 

Pour the hot cream over the chopped dark chocolate. Add butter & peppermint.

Gently whisk the mixture together until it is smooth & shiny.

Cool & use for your icing.

How to Proceed

Cool brownie & spread cream cheese mixture over brownie.

Refrigerate for an hour.

Cut into 2" x 2" pieces. 

Spread the chocolate ganache on the pieces & return the brownie to refrigerator for setting.

Serve like that or with vanilla ice-cream.  

Tips

* Cool the brownie completely before spreading cheese layer.

* If ganache starts hardening then use double boiler method to melt it.

* You can omit cream in ganache & just melt butter & half dark chocolate on double boiler. When it's melted, remove from boiler & add remaining dark chocolate & mix well.

* If you have any mint candy, chop that & sprinkle on ganache before it sets.