Dark Chocolate Brownies with Peppermint Ganache

Name: Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites with Peppermint Ganache (Gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 18-20
Cuisine: Dessert Holiday Seasonal Chocolate
Ingredients: Snacktivist Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix (12 oz); 1/3 cup oil or melted butter; 1/2 cup water; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup chocolate or white chocolate chips; 1/4 cup heavy cream or non-dairy coffee creamer; peppermint extract to taste

by Joni Kindwall-Moore December 09, 2020

These delicious brownie bites will wow your guests this holiday season and they will never know that they are gluten-free or vegan.

The perfect holiday combo of dark delectable chocolate and nostalgic peppermint will go perfectly with your good tidings and are certain to impress your guests this holiday season!

Snacktivist Brownie Bites with Peppermint Ganache

Step 1, make the brownie bites:

In a mixing bowl, combine:

1-12 oz bag of Snacktivist Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix.

⅓ cup of oil or melted butter

½ cup of water

2 tsp of vanilla

Mix well

Step 2, mini-muffin tins:

Prepare 20 mini-muffin tins using a light layer of non-stick spray.

Preheat oven to 350F

Step 3, baking:

Bake brownie-bites for 16-18 minutes or until the center springs back when tapped.

Allow to cool completely.

Step 4, Ganache making:

In a double boiler, place ½ cup chocolate chips, ¼ cup of heavy cream (non-dairy coffee creamer works great).

Slowly bring to melting point and stir until smooth.

Remove from heat and add ½ tsp of peppermint extract.

Stir well and taste. Add additional peppermint extract to taste depending on the strength.

Optional: add ½ tsp vanilla extract also.

Step 5, topping brownie bites

There are several ways to do this.

You can pour the warm ganache into a plastic bag or piping bag to decorate the brownie bites.

Or, you can plate the brownie bites and pour the ganache over it.

These brownie bites freeze really well for future use.

These delicious brownie bites will wow your guests this holiday season and they will never know that they are gluten-free or vegan.

The perfect holiday combo of dark delectable chocolate and nostalgic peppermint will go perfect with your good tidings and are certain to compliment your counters this holiday season!

Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites with Peppermint Ganache (Gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free)

Rated 5 stars by 1 users

Servings

18-20

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Author:

Joni Kindwall-Moore

Nothing says winter like these delicious brownie bites.

This bright, flavorful peppermint ganaches elevates the early richness of the brownie bites.

One of the wonderful things about these is that they are so quick to make because unlike a slab brownie that requires a lengthy bake time, these are done in just 18-20 minutes! Great for parties and wonderful with warmed up with a scoop of ice cream.

Image of Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites with Peppermint Ganache (Gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free)

Ingredients

Snacktivist Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix (12 oz)
1/3 cup oil or melted butter
1/2 cup water
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chocolate or white chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy cream or non-dairy coffee creamer
peppermint extract to taste

Directions

Bake Brownie Bite

Pour the contents of the brownie mix into a medium bowl
Add 1/3 cup oil, 1/2 cup water and 2 tsp vanilla to the bowl, mix well using hand mixer, stand mixer or by hand.
Prepare the mini-muffin tins using non-stick spray or oil.
Pour approx 1 "heaping" tsp of batter into each mini-muffin well.
1 bag of brownie mix should make around 18-20 brownie bites depending on how full they are.
Bake at 350 F for 18-20 minutes or until the centers "spring back".

Prepare Ganache

You will want to make the ganache after the brownies come out of the oven and are cooling.

Peppermint Ganache

You can make ganache in a double boiler or in the microwave. We are going to explain the microwave method here since many people don't have a double boiler.
Place 1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of heavy cream (or non-dairy coffee creamer- we love Nut Pods and Califia) into microwavable bowl.
If using dark chocolate chips, add 1 TBSP of oil or butter to help it be smoother. Dark Chocolate chips have a lower cocoa butter content.
Microwave for 25 seconds at a time and remove to stir.
Do this in 25 second increments until the ganache becomes smooth.
You can add more cream if it seems too thick.
Once your ganache reaches the desired consistency, you add the peppermint extract. Start with 1/2 tsp then sample.
Some extracts are very strong so you will want to adjust this to your taste.
I usually add 1 tsp to my ganache, I buy the extract from my local health food store.
Depending on what you plan to do with the ganache, you can just pour it over your brownie bites or you can use a piping kit or plastic bag to create something more decorative.

Serving and storage

These brownie bites freeze really well. Just pull them from the freezer and either heat in the oven or put in the microwave for 20 seconds.
Shelf life at room temp is 5 days.