I love me a themed event! But, I do try to avoid artificial food coloring where I can these days.
Luckily, a bit of spinach juice adds the perfect green hue to this mint buttercream!! I swear, there is no spinach flavor at all!
It is so easy! Just blend a small handful of spinach in a high speed blender, adding just enough water until it turns into a thickness somewhere between a puree and a juice. A high speed blender like a Vitamix will pulverize any spinach flecks. Set that aside and use as food coloring in the frosting!
You can use any brownie recipe for these! I prefer one that is more "fudgy" than "cake-like".
And I always add chocolate chips!
I have included a couple of my favorite brownie recipes to choose from below.
Brownies Option 1 - Fudgy, Simple, Easy!
Brownies Option 2 - Fudgy
Brownies Option 3 - "Best Ever"
Brownies Option 4 - Clean
Brownies Option 5 - "Better Than Boxed"
Whip up this buttercream frosting while the brownies completely cool.
Green Mint Buttercream Frosting
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp peppermint extract (I find Peppermint much nicer than Mint. Mint tastes like gum.)1 Tbsp spinach juice
Whip butter with an egg beater or stand mixer for 1-2 minutes until fluffy.
Gradually add in powdered sugar, and beat 2 more minutes.
Add extract and juice, to taste, and to color, adding more if desired.
If consistency gets too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Spread the frosting onto cooled brownies.
Melt chocolate chips and a splash of milk in a double boiler, or slowly, stirring often, in the microwave, until smooth.
Drizzle over the frosted brownies by dipping a fork into the chocolate, and very quickly drizzling it over the pan.
Chill in the refrigerator for several minutes, if desired, to get a cleaner cut.
Enjoy this festive St. Patrick's Day, or anytime!!, treat!
