Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies

Good evening!

Last night, I wanted to bake something easy. But I wasn’t feeling cookies. I searched and searched for an idea of what I could make, mostly looking at those candy canes I have since making Candy Cane Kisses Cookies.

I wanted something moist and delicious. I wanted something with chocolate. And simple to make.
And then I it came to me:
Brownies.
With candy cane.

Adaptation of Chocolate Nutty Brownies, Little House of Veggies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unrefined cane sugar
• 3/4 cup spelt flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp safflower (or canola) oil
• 1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 5 peppermint candy canes, crushed (I crush them in the food processor, with a dash of icing sugar to avoid sticking)

Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F.  Grease two bread pans (or a 9 x 9 baking dish).
In a bowl, whisk dry ingredients (sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt). In a second bowl, mix applesauce, oil and peppermint extract. Add dry to wet ingredients and mix until incorporated. Mix in walnuts and chocolate chips. Pour half of the batter in each bread pan and spread evenly. Spinkle crushed candy cane on top. Bake for 20 minutes.

I loved these brownies! The peppermint is definitely the dominant flavor! I had a couple big pieces of candy cane but most was small or in powder and loved the taste – the melted candy cane gives a burst of flavor and there is just enough crunch.
And they are perfect for the holidays!

Before this year, I never thought about using candy cane when baking. And I made two delicious desserts out of it!
Did you ever make a great dessert with crushed candy cane? Do you have special desserts you like to make for the holidays?