Creme de Menthe Brownies

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day and I'm excited to celebrate! Savannah has a wonderful St. Patty's Day tradition and is the home of Paula Deen who has a wonderful recipe for these brownies which tie into St. Patty's Day only because they're mint and if you squint really hard {or drink enough green beer}, mint can look a tee-tiny bit like a shamrock. Got that? Nevertheless, these delicious treats with a hint o' mint will put  you in a festive mood and that's no blarney, y'all.

Brownies:

4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
1 cup unsalted butter
4 large eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour 

Filling:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
4 tablespoons green creme de menthe (or use green food coloring plus a dash of peppermint extract) 

Icing:
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips 
6 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions: {Prep time: 30 minutes, Total time: 55 minutes}
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mist 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.

Prepare brownies: In double boiler, melt baking chocolate and 1 cup butter over simmering water; cool slightly. In medium mixing bowl, beat eggs with a whisk until blended, then add the 2 cups granulated sugar and continue whisking until mixture is light and fluffy. Add cooled chocolate mixture, salt, vanilla and flour. Keep whisking until thoroughly blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave brownies to cool in pan.

Make filling: Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the 1/2 cup butter and confectioners' sugar together until well blended. Stir in the creme de menthe and blend well. Spread over cooled brownies. Refrigerate in original baking pan until filling is firm.

Make icing: Melt the chocolate chips and 6 T butter in the top of a double boiler, stirring until smooth. (You can do this in the microwave, just monitor closely and stir a few times.). Pour the warm glaze over the filling and tilt pan to distribute the icing evenly. Refrigerate until chocolate hardens. To cut, allow brownies to come to room temperature in the pan so chocolate doesn't crack.