Desserts are my mom's family's specialties. When my mom's sister and her family visited us over the Christmas break we made and ate lots of treats together. We kept joking that Kramers always have room for dessert. (Which is very true.) This recipe is a family recipe that my mom has modified by changing the type of flour used. This is my favorite brownie and I'm not the only one who thinks this. Last year I went to summer camp with my cousin where we had homemade brownies one night. We both agreed that the ones our moms made were better. (As they taste the same even though one contains gluten and the other doesn't.) We both felt that there is no comparison to these mint brownies. (And, yes, I do know that I'm a bit biased, but we both agree that they are the best.) I had to add this recipe to my blog because this was one of the first things that my mom figured out how to make gluten free for our family and I have to share these incredible, if not the best, brownies ever with you.
It's sad to me that there is a misconception that gluten free does not taste good that most people are hesitant to try gluten free food. And many people who are celiac feel that they are missing something because the quality of food they get often isn't as good, or at least different. And often they feel that they have to be excluded from social functions because they can not eat anything there. Also, many times people claim that gluten is what makes something taste so delicious, when that just isn't true. But the reality is, because gluten free is still so new, when people make something gluten free or you buy a gluten free mix, something just seems off, even though when you make that same dessert yourself with a few simple alterations, the food you make seems just as good as the original.
My family always has people over, often it feels like every other night, and so my mom makes gluten free dinners and dessert (this is a treat we make fairly often). Most people don't even notice a difference and when they ask how to make it, they're surprised to learn that it's gluten free. This just shows that gluten free food can be just as good, if not better, than food containing gluten. And that's how I feel about these mint brownies, they are some of the best brownies you will ever have and they are always good to make for special occasions, pot lucks, parties, etc. I hope that you can enjoy them and feel that you are not missing out on anything and that they hit the spot in every way.
Ingredients:
Brownies
4 oz. Unsweetened Chocolate
1 c. Butter
4 Eggs
2 c. Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 c. Rice Flour
Frosting
4 T. Butter
2 c. Powdered Sugar
1 1/2 tsp. Peppermint Extract
2 T. Milk
Chocolate coating
6 T. Butter
6 oz. Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions:
Brownies
Preheat oven to 375º F.
Melt unsweetened chocolate and 1 c. butter.
In a separate bowl beat 4 eggs until fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla. Beat well. Add chocolate mixture. Add flour. Stir until smooth. Pour into greased 9 x 13 inch pan.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Make sure toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.
Frosting
Cream 4 T. butter. Add powdered sugar, peppermint extract, and milk. Mix until desired consistency.
Spread over cooled brownies and chill for 1 hour.
Chocolate coating
Melt 6 T. butter and chocolate chips. Spread over frosting layer. Cool in refrigerator. Cut when firm.
Enjoy!
(All photos taken by Eowyn Collins on January 12, 2018.)