The Best Grasshopper Brownies

The Best Grasshopper Brownies are decadent, fudgy, chocolate mint brownies with a minty cream cheese buttercream frosting! Just like a grasshopper cocktail!  

Best Brownie Recipe

This incredible dessert, includes an amazing minty chocolate brownie base topped with a layer of minty buttercream frosting. Named after a grasshopper cocktail, which consists of creme de menthe, creme de cacao, heavy cream and is absolutely delicious!

While this recipe contains no alcohol, you still get to enjoy a dreamy chocolate mint flavor, similar to the alcoholic drink! I would rather eat one of these brownies than have a drink, any day!

My husband has also been sober for more than 15 years and we just don't keep much alcohol in the house, if any at all. Usually, I buy enough to make a specific recipe and that is basically it. Actually, I believe I might have some cooking wine somewhere but other then that, nothing.

If you are looking for a everyday or festive dessert to indulge on, with your family or friends or even yourself for that matter, you have found the perfect sweet treat! Believe me, you and everyone else will love this heavenly, delectable dish!

Not to worry, these brownies take little time to prepare and are super easy to make. That being said, not everyone has time or the desire for homemade.

I have to tell you to that you can use a store bought brownie mix for the base and just follow the instructions for the frosting and this recipe will work. Still, I have to recommend and encourage you to try to make this homemade brownie base, just once so you can see just how easy it is!

Best Mint Brownies

I left these mint brownies plain on purpose just so you could see how gorgeous they are on their own. They don't need a lot of fancy decorations unless you want to include them on top.

You can use anything from sprinkles to sparkles, to chocolate covered mints, chopped or shaved chocolate or chocolate chips! The possibilities are truly endless.

After Eight Brownies

While growing up, I loved these chocolate covered soft mint candies called York Peppermint Patties. Remember them? Created in 1940, they are still sold today but with different packaging!

These are so similar in flavor to an After Eight Mint Chocolate Thins or an After Eight, originally created in the United Kingdom in 1960, which are also delicious!

I just realized that I have loved all things chocolate and mint my entire life.

Chocolate and mint are one of those natural and amazing flavor combinations that are like chocolate and peanut butter, chocolate and caramel or strawberry and banana as far as I am concerned. Don't you agree? Hopefully someone out there does!

Regardless, mint is one of those flavors that we use all year 'round and isn't specific to any holiday or time of year! When I am craving a chocolate mint dessert I make these Grasshopper Brownies, Layered Mint Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Mint Cupcakes or our Glazed Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I just love them all.

I love these rich, fudgy, chewy, chocolate brownie with a hint of mint covered in a cool mint cream cheese buttercream frosting! This flavor combination gets me, every time, and The Best Grasshopper Brownies are the ultimate minty chocolate treat that you will definitely enjoy too!

Ingredients in The Best Grasshopper Brownies

Base

• sugar
• softened butter
• peppermint extract
• flour
• baking powder
• cocoa powder
• eggs

Frosting

• cream cheese
• butter
• icing or powdered sugar
• peppermint extract
• green food coloring
• heavy or whipping cream

Decorations

• sprinkles to sparkles, to chocolate covered mints, chopped or shaved chocolate or chocolate chips

How to make The Best Grasshopper Brownies

Beat together sugar, peppermint extract, and butter until fluffy.

Gradually beat in flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder until blended.

Beat in eggs.

Line and grease an 8x8 inch baking dish, and pour batter into it.

Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Once fully cooked, cool completely.

To make icing, beat all ingredient except heavy cream together until smooth, then beat in heavy cream.

Spread over brownies in a smooth layer, and allow to set.

Cut into equal squares and serve.

What is the difference between Icing, Frosting and Buttercream?

So many people use these terms interchangeably and I am going to set the record straight!

Icing

Icing is usually a somewhat thin and sugary glaze or spread that usually hardens as it cools, used to decorate all kinds of baked goods. It includes powdered sugar, flavoring and milk or water.

Frosting

Frosting is made using powdered sugar, flavoring, milk or water and a fat of some kind. The difference between Frosting and Buttercream is the type of fat that is used.

Generally, with frosting, shortening is used and can be a almost greasy and have a mild chemical like taste. It is great however, if you need your frosting to hold its shape. 

Frosting is used to decorate baked goods and is usually thick, light and fluffy and is made with cream cheese or shortening. It does not contain butter which is the difference between buttercream and frosting. 

Buttercream

Buttercream frosting is softened butter based and often has a pale yellow tint. The butter must be at room temperature or it will be near impossible to cream. Butter reduces the sweet, sugary taste and adds a creamy, silky and rich taste to your buttercream frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese frosting only uses cream cheese and no butter. Use full fat cream cheese as the reduced fat will result in watery frosting. Also, do not over blend your cream cheese frosting or it will look almost sandy or gritty.

Cream Cheese Buttercream

Cream cheese frosting only uses cream cheese and no butter, otherwise it is simply a cream cheese buttercream frosting.

Store Bought Frosting

If you need or want to purchase store bought already made frosting that is perfectly fine. I always keep a can or two around, just in case I run out of time.

I suggest you dump the store bought frosting into a bowl and whip it with a handheld or stand mixer. Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of softened butter, and a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract and whip again.

Taste your frosting and if it needs it just add a little more butter and/or vanilla until you are satisfied. Some brands require more butter and vanilla than others to pass for homemade.

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The Best Grasshopper Brownies