1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×13″ baking pan by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray. It’s best to line with parchment paper for easy removal, allowing for an overhang on the sides. This way, your brownies will lift out easily after baking, making for perfect squares.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the sugar is dissolved. The mixture should appear glossy, indicating that it’s ready for the next step.
3. Add in the eggs one at a time, along with the vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is well combined and smooth. This step is crucial, as it introduces air into the mixture, giving your brownies the right texture.
4. Next, sift in the flour and cocoa powder along with the kosher salt and espresso powder if using. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. You want to keep the batter light and airy at this point.
5. Now, fold in 1 cup of chopped peppermint bark until evenly distributed. This will create pockets of peppermint flavor throughout your brownies. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out evenly.
6. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of peppermint bark on top of the batter. This will create a beautiful layer of peppermint bark that’s visible after baking. Place the pan in the middle rack of your preheated oven.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You want the brownies to be set to touch but not overbaked, as they will continue to firm up as they cool. The edges will look slightly puffed, while the center remains soft.
8. Once they’re done, remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. This cooling time is essential for the brownies to achieve the perfect fudginess.
9. While they cool, prepare the white chocolate drizzle. Place the white chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Be careful not to overheat to avoid burning the chocolate.
10. Using a spoon, drizzle the melted white chocolate over the cooled brownies. Immediately sprinkle them with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies for a festive touch. Let them sit for about 15 minutes for the chocolate to harden.
11. Finally, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy your delicious Peppermint Bark Brownies!
