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.

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 16

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)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

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.

Step 9

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.

Step 10

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

Serving size	(832.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2922.4

Total Fat 133.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 79.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 412.1mg	0%
Sodium 1423.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 410.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.5g	0%
Total Sugars 249.1g
Protein 56.6g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 369.8mg	0%
Iron 31.0mg	0%
Potassium 2298.7mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.1%

Protein: 7.4%

Carbs: 53.6%