Ingredients

1 cup butter, plus more for greasing dish
4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
2 cups sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1 cup chopped peppermint bark, recipe follows

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Line the dish with a piece of
parchment paper that extends up beyond the edge of the pan on the 2 wide sides of the dish and lightly grease
the parchment. The paper will serve as handles when you are ready to remove the brownies from the pan.

In the top of a double boiler or in a microwave, melt the chocolate and butter until completely smooth. Add
the sugar, flour, eggs, and vanilla and stir to blend. Stir in the peppermint bark and transfer to the
prepared baking pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center just comes out

clean - it's ok if there are a couple of small fudgy crumbs adhering to the toothpick. It's better to
undercook these slightly than overcook them - these brownies are meant to be fudgy.

Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely. Using your hands, lift up firmly on the parchment
paper pieces and transfer to a flat surface. (If the paper is stubborn, run a thin knife around the edge of
the pan, or loosen the brownies slightly with the help of an offset spatula.) Cut the brownies into 2 1/2-inch
squares and serve at room temperature.

Ingredients

Peppermint
Bark:

Directions

12 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped
24 hard peppermint candies

Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat or in a microwave, stirring every 30 seconds,
until smooth. Be careful not to scorch the chocolate.

Place the peppermints in a resealable food storage bag and, using a rolling pin, tap the candies to break into
small pieces. Place the crushed candies into a strainer with medium holes and shake over another bowl - only
the very large pieces should remain in the strainer. Add the melted chocolate to the small pieces and stir to
combine.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and pour the chocolate-candy mixture onto the paper. Using a rubber

spatula, spread smooth to a thickness of about 1/4-inch. Press the large peppermint pieces onto the top of the
mixture and transfer to a refrigerator to firm.

When firm, break the bark into bite-size pieces and place in an attractive serving bowl or package in airtight
containers to give as gifts. Serve at room temperature.

This is best refrigerated if kept for any length of time.