Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 16 holiday-themed sandwich cookies or mini peppermint patties (for stuffing)
- Festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This “sling” makes it incredibly easy to lift the brownies out once they have cooled. Lightly grease the parchment with a bit of butter or non-stick spray to ensure nothing sticks.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Whisk vigorously by hand for about two minutes. This step is crucial for achieving that thin, crackly top. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Sift the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, and salt directly into the wet mixture. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients into the batter. Stop mixing as soon as you see no more streaks of white flour. Overmixing at this stage will lead to a tough, bready texture rather than a fudgy one. Fold in half of the chocolate chips.
- Pour approximately half of the brownie batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it into an even layer. Arrange your sandwich cookies or peppermint patties in a single layer across the batter. Pour the remaining batter over the top, using an offset spatula to cover the stuffing completely. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips and festive sprinkles over the top.
- Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter. Remove the pan from the oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan. This patience is necessary for the fudgy texture to set properly before slicing.
- Cook Time: 45 minutes