Chocolate and peppermint is one of my favorite holiday flavor combos, so making this during the holiday season is a MUST. This recipe uses our Fudgey Brownie recipe but uses Mint M&Ms and crushed candy canes to give these brownies a festive upgrade. My toddlers loved these brownies and had fun making them too!
AuthorcookingwithtoddlersIngredients
General Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
- In a large bowl, combine sugar, powdered sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and Mint M&Ms (or peppermint chips).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, olive oil, water, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Spray or grease 8×8 baking dish, line with parchment paper, and spray/grease again.
- Pour the batter into the pan and spread out the batter using a spatula.
- Crush candy canes using bottom of measuring cup or a cooking mallet.
- Top brownies with crushed candy canes.
- Cook for 40-48 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean when ready.
- Cool completely before cutting. Store in airtight container for a few days.
Toddler Instructions: Click on the skill level below for detailed instructions. (#s relate to General Directions)
Beginner:
2. Pour in premeasured ingredients. Using hand over hand help, stir the dry ingredients.
3. Pour in premeasured ingredients. Using hand over hand help, whisk together.
4. Help pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients, with help as needed. With hand over hand help, stir to combine.
7. Help to crush candy canes.
8. Help to top batter with crushed candy canes. (Provide verbal cues as to where to add them to help your toddler spread them out – they may clump them in one spot)
Experienced:
2. Pour in premeasured ingredients. Help combine ingredients with spatula or mixing spoon (use hand over hand help as needed).
3. Pour in premeasured ingredients. Help combine ingredients with whisk (use hand over hand help as needed).
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Help combine ingredients with spatula or mixing spoon (use hand over hand help as needed).
6. Help pour batter into baking pan.
7. Help to crush candy canes.
8. Help sprinkle crushed candy canes (Provide verbal cues as to where to add them to help your toddler spread them out)
Pro:
2. Help to measure ingredients and pour into mixing bowl. Help combine ingredients with spatula or mixing spoon.
3. Crack eggs into medium mixing bowl first. Help to measure ingredients and add to bowl. Help whisk ingredients together.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Help stir ingredients with spatula or mixing spoon.
6. Help pour batter into baking pan. Help spread batter around the pan.
7. Help crush candy canes/
8. Help sprinkle with c crushed candy canes. (Provide verbal cues as to where to add them to help your toddler spread them out)
Notes:
- Personally, I prefer the taste of using peppermint chips but my kids love the Christmas colors in the brownies when using Mint m&ms.
- To crush candy canes, first place them in a plastic bag. Then smash them using the bottom of a measuring cup or cooking mallet. The bag will help keep pieces contained instead of flying around.
Suggested Fine Motor Activities: