Dinosaur Kale + Mint Double Chocolate Brownies

Kale + Mint Brownies?? I know right?! I must be living on Mars! But hear me out…

Have you ever just thought to yourself – ‘will my kids E V E R eat a green veggie without crying?’. Maybe it’s just a thing in my home – but over the last 15+ years it’s been a regular thought in my meal making efforts.

Well, I finally wised up – Dinosaur Kale + Mint Double Chocolate Brownies have all the brownie goodness but the added bonus of nutrient rich dinosaur kale (aka Lacinato kale).

There’s not enough nutrients to counter the sugar and fat and all the other ooey-gooey brownie awesomeness in this recipe. BUT my real goal was to let them know eating flecks of green veggies won’t kill them. As a bonus, I squeezed in some vitamins that certainly wouldn’t have been part of their daily diet otherwise.

There’s no amount of conniving or deception that can combat their keen detective and observation skills. Yes – they noticed those teeny green flecks right.off.the.bat.

BUT thanks to the Junior Mint Minis and See’s Milk Chocolate Drops (and my reputation for making the perfect brownie), not even green flecks could keep them from eating mom’s brownies.

4 Brownie-Making Hacks

Yes, I did covertly slip a little Dinosaur Kale into these brownies. But, there are a couple of brownie-making hacks I must call out that will make these brownies irresistible (even with the addition of a leafy green ingredient).

1. FIRST, follow the instructions – in order (don’t add everything all at once).
2. SECOND, do not over mix the brownie batter.
3. THIRD, I used hot chocolate mix instead of cocoa powder and sugar because I had so much hot chocolate on hand. This sub saved a measuring step and used up my excess hot chocolate powder.
4. FOURTH, I used self-rising flour instead of AP. The added leavener in SR flour helps add a little structure to the brownies. I don’t usually use SR flour in brownies, but I do like the slight differences in the final product. You can try AP or SR to see what you like best.

Tender, moist, chewy, gooey brownies are best achieved by delicately mixing the ingredients in a thoughtful order in order to prevent the development of gluten (gluten creates a tough brownie).

All the brownie dreams come true with your first bite. Ooey and gooey and minty chocolate with a double chocolate boost, thanks to milk chocolate chips and dark chocolate Junior Mint Minis. Not even knowing these brownies contain KALE is enough to stop your anti-green veggie people from enjoying!

Dinosaur Kale + Mint Double Chocolate Brownies

• 1 1/2 c hot chocolate dry mix (or 1 1/4 c sugar + 1/4 c cocoa powder)
• 3/4 c salted butter, melted (1 1/2 sticks)
• 1/8 t kosher salt
• 2 room temperature eggs
• 1 c finely chopped dinosaur kale
• 1 1/4 c self rising flour
• 4 oz milk chocolate chips
• 6 oz Junior Mint Minis

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 10″x7″ oven-proof glass baking dish.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine first 3 ingredients. Whisk in eggs.

Fold in kale, self-rising flour, chocolate chips and mint minis. DO NOT over mix. Right before the last bits of flour disappear into the batter, STOP mixing.

Spread into prepared baking dish and bake on center oven rack for 35 minutes or until center is set, but not firm. (we want a chewy brownie, not a chocolate cake)

Allow to cool 30 minutes before serving.

Serves 12