Sherry’s Recipe Corner: Candy Cane Dreams
We have a perfect combination of chocolate and peppermint just in time for the holidays!
INGREDIENTS
First Layer – Fudgy Brownie
- 1 c butter – melted and HOT
- 2 T Cooking Oil – any type canola, olive, coconut
- 2 1/4 c sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 T vanilla
- 1 c Flour
- 1 c cocoa powder
- 1/2 t salt
Second Layer – Cream Cheese (this layer can be doubled for an extra thick cream layer)
- One 8-ounce cream cheese (low fat is fine) room temperature
- 6 T butter – room temperature
- 1 c powder sugar
- 1 t vanilla
- 2 ounces crushed candy canes
Third Layer – Chocolate Ganache
- 1/4 c butter
- 1/4 c cocoa powder
- 1/4 c water
- 2 c powder sugar
- 1 t vanilla
- 2 ounces crushed candy canes
DIRECTIONS
Brownie layer
- Preheat oven 350 – spray pan, line with parchment paper, spray parchment paper
- Combine hot melted butter, oil, sugar – beat one minute. Add eggs and vanilla beat another 2 minutes.
- Sift together flour, cocoa, and salt until no lumps.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet until just combined – do not over mix
- Bake for 20 minutes until just set – cool
Cream layer
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, add vanilla and powder sugar, beat until light and fluffy
- Spread on brownie layer, top with 2 ounces of the candy canes
Ganache layer
- Melt butter in a saucepan over VERY low heat. Do not boil; remove from heat as soon as it is melted.
- Add cocoa and water – constantly whisking until smooth.
- Gradually add powder sugar and vanilla – whisking until smooth.
- Spread on top of cream layer and top with remaining 2 ounces of candy canes.
HINTS
- This recipe is perfect for sharing (17 x 11 cookie pan) or cut in half (9 x 9 pan)
- This recipe can be made year-round by substituting your favorite candy or even plain without the candy. If you have a favorite brownie mix box, it can be substituted, but homemade is the best!
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