Healthy Peppermint Brownie Sandwich Cookies

For the brownie cookies

• 1/2 C vegan butter, room temperature
• 1/2 C brown sugar
• 1/2 C Stevia
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 Tbsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
• 1 C gluten free all purpose flour*
• 1/4 C cacao powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 C sugar free dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 C crushed peppermint candies

For the peppermint buttercream

• 1/4 C vegan butter, room temperature
• 2 Tbsp nonfat greek yogurt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 C sugar free powdered sugar**
• 1/2 tsp salt***

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar, and Stevia on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and the bottom, then mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until well combined, about 1 more minute.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture into the wet ingredients on low speed until a few streaks of flour remain. Switch to a rubber spatula and fold in 1/2 cup of the crushed candy canes and all of the chocolate chips.
4. Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out all of the cookie dough into equal sized balls. Place 10 balls of dough on each of the prepared cookie sheets.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before frosting.
6. Combine butter, greek yogurt, powdered sugar, peppermint extract, red food coloring, and salt in a large bowl or stand mixer. Mix on medium high speed for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Add more salt to taste, then fold the remaining crushed peppermint candies into the buttercream with a rubber spatula a few times.
7. Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, generously frost the bottom of half of the cookies until the frosting is finished. Gently press the bottom of another cookie on top of a frosted cookie to create a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies. You should have 10 brownie cookie sandwiches.

*If you live at least 3,000 above sea level, add an extra 2 tablespoons flour to the cookie dough.

**You can also use regular powdered sugar, but it will significantly increase the calories and grams of sugar per cookie.

***If using regular powdered sugar, reduce the amount of salt by half.

Nutrition facts are a calculated estimate of one sandwich cookie, including peppermint buttercream.

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