Peppermint-Chocolate Brownies

Peppermint-Chocolate Brownies
By: Pillsbury Holiday Baking

4oz unsweetened baking chocolate
1 cup butter
2 pkg (8oz each) cream cheese, softened
2 ½ cups sugar
5 eggs
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
1 ½ cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups crème de menthe baking chips (from 2-10oz bags)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 9x13 glass baking dish. In 3-quart saucepan, heat baking chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth. Cool 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat cream cheese, ½ cup of the sugar and 1 of the eggs with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Set aside.

Into chocolate mixture, stir remaining 2 cups sugar, remaining 4 eggs and the peppermint extract. Stir in flour and salt until well mixed. Spread half of chocolate batter in pan. Drop cream cheese filling by teaspoons over batter. Carefully spoon and spread remaining batter over filling.

Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle evenly with baking chips. Cool completely, about 1 hour 30 minutes. For brownies, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Store in refrigerator.

48 brownies