What does a mint julep brownie taste like?

These brownies are fudgy and rich, with a mild kick from bourbon that's brushed over the brownies after baking. A velvety chocolate ganache topping is infused with fresh mint for a flavor that's subtle and inviting.

Can I use mint extract instead of fresh mint for mint julep brownies?

You can opt to use mint extract in the place of fresh mint, but we love the subtle, sweet flavor that fresh mint provides. If using extract, stir into the finished ganache to taste.

How can you ensure that brownies are fudgy, not cakey?

The best way to keep brownies soft and fudgy is to avoid overbaking, which could cause a dry result. Bake only until a wooden pick inserted comes out with moist, fudgy bits.

Mint Julep Brownies Recipe

Active Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

3 hrs

Servings:

These mint julep brownies combine a beloved chocolate treat and a classic Derby cocktail—the mint julep. This favored cocktail is made with mint, bourbon, and simple syrup, all served over ice and garnished with a mint sprig. We brought those flavors into these dense, fudgy, bourbon-forward brownies for a truly decadent treat.

The chocolate ganache topping has just a hint of fresh mint flavor. It's precisely what you'd expect from a dessert inspired by this drink. Whether you make this for your Derby party, or you're just wanting to enjoy this boozy sweet after dinner, this is sure to win over friends and guests. And of course, serve some cocktails on the side, too.

Southern Living Mint Julep Brownies sliced and ready to serve — Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

Ingredients for Mint Julep Brownies

Deep chocolate flavor from extra bittersweet chocolate and Dutch-process cocoa powder shines in these brownies, and a bourbon soak and minty ganache topping takes them over the top. To make mint julep brownies, you'll need:

Cooking spray: To prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan or parchment paper.
Unsalted butter: The rich base of the brownies, giving them a buttery flavor and dense texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the brownies.
Dark brown sugar: Sweetens and gives the brownies additional moisture and depth.
Extra bittersweet chocolate: For a deep, chocolaty flavor.
Dutch-process cocoa powder: Adds even more rich chocolate flavor, while helping to give the brownies some structure.
Vanilla extract: For depth of flavor.
Bourbon: Baked into the brownies and brushed over the top after baking for a boozy touch and mint julep flavor.
Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
Large eggs: Binds the brownie batter.
All-purpose flour: Gives the brownies their structure.
Heavy cream: The base of a chocolate ganache to coat the brownies.
Fresh mint: Steeped into the cream for fresh mint flavor.

Southern Living Mint Julep Brownies ingredients — Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

How To Make Mint Julep Brownies

A thick brownie batter made with chocolate and cocoa is baked until fudgy, soaked with bourbon, and topped with a mint-infused, rich chocolate ganache, for a deceptively simple dessert to pull together. Does it get any better than that? Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Prepare pan: Preheat oven, and spray a square metal baking pan. Line with parchment, and spray to coat.
Step 2. Melt butter and add sugars: Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Whisk in sugar and brown sugar.
Step 3. Add chocolate and cocoa: Remove from heat. Whisk in 1 cup chopped chocolate to melt. Whisk in cocoa, vanilla, bourbon, and salt. Let cool 5 minutes.
Step 4. Add eggs: Whisk in one egg at a time to incorporate.
Step 5. Add flour: Fold in flour and some chopped chocolate.
Step 6. Pour batter into pan: Pour evenly into prepared pan.
Step 7. Bake brownies: Bake until slightly risen and top appears shiny. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
Step 8. Brush with bourbon: Poke shallow holes all over and brush with remaining bourbon.
Step 9. Infuse cream with mint: Bring cream and mint to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes. Remove mint and bring cream back to a simmer.
Step 10. Make ganache: Pour over remaining chocolate and add remaining salt. Stir until smooth.
Step 11. Add ganache to brownies: Spread evenly over brownies. Cool until set.

What Type of Chocolate Is Best for Brownies?

When it comes to determining the best type of chocolate to use for brownies, it all comes down to choosing a chocolate you'd be happy to snack on. We call for extra bittersweet chocolate in bar form, meaning it will contain more cocoa butter and less stabilizers. This ensures that the chocolate will melt easily into the batter and ganache, creating a fudgy, smooth result.

If you'd like to play around with the type of chocolate used for the ganache, feel free to get creative. The choice of milk, bittersweet, or dark chocolate is up to you. The higher the percentage on the chocolate bar you choose, the more dark and bitter the result will be.

Tips for the Best Mint Julep Brownies

For the best mint julep brownies, keep these tips in mind:

Good-quality chocolate: Use a chocolate you'd enjoy eating to ensure high-quality brownies. A chocolate in bar form will ensure a smooth melt.
Line the pan: Make sure to leave an overhang on two sides for easy brownie removal.
Don't overbake: While it can sometimes be hard to tell when brownies are ready, look for a shiny top that looks set around the edges. If in doubt, insert a wooden pick and look for fudgy crumbs (not wet batter).
Soak evenly: Make sure to soak the brownies evenly with bourbon to infuse the flavor into every bite.
Infuse to taste: Give the mint time to infuse into the cream to reach your desired potency. Keep in mind that the chocolate added will dilute some of the minty flavor.
Cool before cutting: For the cleanest slices, chill the brownies until firm before cutting. Use a sharp knife dipped into hot water between slices for clean cuts.

How To Store Mint Julep Brownies

If you do have any leftover brownies, store in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze them on a lined baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe zip-top bag and freeze for up to two months. Soften at room temperature before serving, although they're also delicious cold.

What To Serve With Mint Julep Brownies

These brownies are decadent all on their own, but to turn them into an over-the-top dessert, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and of course, a pairing of bourbon or a mint julep to stay true to the theme.

More Boozy Dessert Recipes You'll Love

If you love your desserts infused with rum, eggnog, or bourbon, you'll certainly love these tasty treats:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

Cooking spray
1 cup (8 oz.) unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 (4-oz.) bars extra bittersweet chocolate (such as Ghirardelli), finely chopped and divided (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup (1 3/4 oz.) Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. bourbon, divided
1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
3 large eggs
1 cup (4 1/4 oz.) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 (3/4 oz.) bunch fresh mint

Directions

Prepare pan:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat an 8-inch square (2-inch deep) metal baking pan with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches overhanging on 2 opposing sides of pan. Coat parchment paper with cooking spray; set aside.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Melt butter; add sugars:

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low. Once melted, whisk in granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth, about 1 minute.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Add chocolate and cocoa powder:

Remove from heat and whisk in 1 cup of the chopped chocolate until melted. Whisk in cocoa powder, vanilla, 1/3 cup of the bourbon, and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Let cool 5 minutes.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Add eggs:

Working quickly to avoid cooking eggs, crack 1 of the eggs into chocolate mixture and whisk vigorously until incorporated. Repeat with remaining eggs.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Add flour:

Fold in flour and 2 tablespoons of the remaining chopped chocolate until just combined and no dry streaks remain.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Pour batter into pan:

Pour batter into prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Bake brownies:

Bake in preheated oven until slightly risen and top appears shiny, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely in pan on a wire rack, about 1 1/2 hours.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Brush bourbon on brownies:

Poke shallow holes all over top of brownie. Brush with remaining 1 tablespoon bourbon.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Infuse cream with mint:

Bring cream and mint to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium. Remove from heat and let mint steep 10 minutes. Remove mint from cream and discard; return cream just to a simmer over medium.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Make ganache:

Place remaining chopped chocolate (about 3 ounces) in a small bowl. Pour 1/3 cup hot cream over chocolate and add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Let sit 30 seconds, then stir until smooth and glossy.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Add ganache to brownies:

Pour chocolate mixture over brownies and spread in an even layer.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

Let sit until chocolate has set, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Alternatively, refrigerate until set, about 45 minutes.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a mint julep brownie taste like?

These brownies are fudgy and rich, with a mild kick from bourbon that's brushed over the brownies after baking. A velvety chocolate ganache topping is infused with fresh mint for a flavor that's subtle and inviting.
Can I use mint extract instead of fresh mint for mint julep brownies?

You can opt to use mint extract in the place of fresh mint, but we love the subtle, sweet flavor that fresh mint provides. If using extract, stir into the finished ganache to taste.
How can you ensure that brownies are fudgy, not cakey?

The best way to keep brownies soft and fudgy is to avoid overbaking, which could cause a dry result. Bake only until a wooden pick inserted comes out with moist, fudgy bits.