Chocolate Mint Bars a Lighter Version
Indulge guilt-free with these Chocolate Mint Bars: A Lighter Version, a deliciously healthier twist on the classic mint-chocolate treat! Featuring a fudgy chocolate brownie base made with Greek yogurt and unsweetened cocoa, a creamy peppermint layer crafted from reduced-fat cream cheese, and a luscious dark chocolate topping, this dessert is the perfect balance of rich flavor and light ingredients. Ready in under an hour, these bars are a crowd-pleasing yet lower-calorie option, ideal for holiday gatherings or anytime you crave a refreshing chocolatey fix. Bonus: a hint of green food coloring adds a fun, festive flair! Perfect for lovers of mint and chocolate who want a lighter dessert choice.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 0.33 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 cup Unsalted butter, melted
- 0.33 cup Greek yogurt (non-fat or low-fat)
- 0.33 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon Peppermint extract
- 1 cup Confectioners' sugar
- 4 ounces Reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup Dark chocolate chips (preferably 70% cocoa or higher)
- 1 teaspoon Coconut oil (or any neutral oil)
- 2 drops Green food coloring (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the melted butter, Greek yogurt, and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and whisk again until smooth.
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly using a spatula. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Let the brownie layer cool completely.
While the brownie layer is cooling, prepare the mint cream layer. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar, peppermint extract, and food coloring (if using). Beat until the mixture is fluffy and well-combined.
Spread the mint cream evenly over the cooled brownie layer. Place the pan in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to set the mint layer.
To make the chocolate topping, melt the dark chocolate chips with the coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring between each interval, until smooth.
Pour the melted chocolate over the chilled mint layer and spread it evenly with a spatula. Return the pan to the fridge for another 10-15 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
Once the layers are set, use a sharp knife to cut the bars into 16 squares. Serve chilled or at room temperature, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
175 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 8.2 g | 10% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.0 g | 25% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 24 mg | 8% | |
| Sodium | 83 mg | 4% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.0 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.7 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.8 g | ||
| Protein | 3.5 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 23 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 1.2 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 122 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
