These delightful brownie bites combine a rich, fudgy cocoa base with a refreshing peppermint frosting tinted vibrant green. Baked in mini muffin tins, they offer perfectly portioned treats ideal for St Patricks Day festivities. The batter blends melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, cocoa, and flour with a touch of salt and baking powder for balance. After baking, each bite is topped with creamy, mint-infused frosting. Optional chocolate sprinkles add a final decorative touch. Easy to whip up and perfect for sharing at any celebration.
Last year my youngest declared we needed something more exciting than the usual cookies for our St. Patricks Day party. I stood in my kitchen staring at a box of brownie mix when inspiration hit—what if I made them bite sized and added that cool mint flavor everyone associates with the holiday? The first batch disappeared so fast I barely got to taste one, and now theyre requested months in advance.
I brought these to a friends gathering last March and watched her teenage son hover near the dessert table, politely taking one, then circling back for three more. Later he confessed he doesnt even like mint, but something about the chocolate and mint combo in these brownie bites won him over. Now whenever I see him, he asks if I have my green brownies handy.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter (melted and softened): Using melted butter in the brownie base creates that dense fudgy texture we love, while softened butter for frosting ensures smooth, pipeable consistency
- Granulated sugar: This amount provides just the right sweetness without overpowering the chocolate flavor
- Large eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better into the batter for a uniform texture
- Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract enhances the chocolate flavor profile
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: High quality cocoa powder makes all the difference in achieving deep chocolate flavor
- All-purpose flour: Just enough flour to hold everything together while keeping the texture fudgy
- Salt and baking powder: A pinch of salt intensifies chocolate flavor, while baking powder gives them the perfect slight lift
- Powdered sugar: Confectioners sugar creates silky smooth frosting without graininess
- Peppermint extract: Start with half teaspoon—this stuff is potent and a little goes a long way
- Green food coloring: Gel coloring gives you vibrant green without adding extra liquid to your frosting
Instructions
- Get your oven ready:
- Preheat to 350°F and prep your mini muffin tin with either grease or those adorable mini paper liners
- Whisk the wet ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and sugar until completely smooth, then beat in eggs and vanilla until glossy
- Add the dry ingredients:
- Sift in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder, then fold everything together just until no dry streaks remain
- Fill and bake:
- Spoon batter into muffin cups about two-thirds full and bake 14-16 minutes until tops are set with moist crumbs on a toothpick
- Cool completely:
- Let them rest in the pan 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack—frosting only sticks to completely cooled brownies
- Make the mint frosting:
- Beat softened butter until creamy, gradually add powdered sugar, peppermint extract, and milk until smooth and spreadable
- Add the festive touch:
- Tint frosting with green food coloring and pipe or spread onto each brownie bite, topping with chocolate sprinkles if desired
My sister-in-law texted me at midnight after our party, admitting she hid two brownie bites in her purse to enjoy later when no one was watching. Something about these two-bite treats makes people playful and sneaky in the best way.
Making Them Ahead
Ive learned through party prep panic that these brownie bites freeze beautifully unfrosted for up to two months. Just wrap them tightly and thaw overnight before frosting—no one will ever know you didnt bake them that morning.
Frosting Like a Pro
After years of messy attempts, I finally invested in a small piping bag with a star tip and it transformed these from cute to bakery quality. A simple zip-top bag with the corner snipped works in a pinch if you dont have piping tools.
Customization Ideas
Sometimes I fold chopped Andes mints or mint chocolate chips into the brownie batter for extra pockets of minty goodness throughout. You can also swap the green frosting for white and add shamrock sprinkles if you prefer a more subtle St. Patricks Day nod.
- Try adding a drop of green food coloring to the brownie batter for mint colored bases
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top if you happen to have leftovers from winter holidays
- These work with gluten-free flour 1:1 for anyone with dietary restrictions
Whether youre celebrating St. Patricks Day or just need a chocolate fix with a refreshing twist, these mint brownie bites have become my go-to for any gathering. They might just become yours too.
Recipe FAQs
- → What gives these bites their mint flavor?
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Mint flavor comes from peppermint extract blended into the smooth frosting that tops each brownie bite.
- → Can I use gluten-free flour in this dish?
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Yes, gluten-free flour can be substituted to make gluten-friendly brownie bites without sacrificing texture.
- → How should I bake the brownie bites for best results?
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Fill mini muffin cups about two-thirds full and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 14 to 16 minutes until tops are set but moist inside.
- → Are these bites suitable for vegetarians?
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Yes, the ingredients are vegetarian-friendly, using no meat or gelatin products.
- → Can I prepare these brownie bites ahead of time?
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Unfrosted brownie bites freeze well for up to 2 months; frost just before serving for freshness.