These dark chocolate brownies are rich, fudgy and deliberately not too sweet, finished with a light sprinkle of native river mint salt just before baking. The gentle cooling note of river mint lifts the chocolate and adding sea salt enhances all of the flavours. Both together makes this an elegant dessert for dinner parties, gifting, or when you want something familiar with a quiet twist.
This simple recipe uses River Mint, our favourite seasonal native ingredient, in a base of Tasmanian sea salt.
Dark Chocolate Brownie with River Mint
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Deep, dark chocolate flavour
- Not overly sweet – designed for grown-up tastes
- River mint adds freshness without overpowering
- Salt enhances the other flavours
- Easy to make ahead for entertaining
- Naturally gluten-free (check the labels on your chocolate)
About Dark Chocolate Brownie with River Mint Finishing Salt
Serves: 9-12 brownies
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Skill level: 2 / 5
Ingredients
- Dark chocolate (70–75%), chopped
- Unsalted butter
- Caster sugar
- Eggs, at room temperature
- Almond meal
- Cocoa powder
- River Mint Finishing Salt
Method
- Preheat oven to 170°C (fan forced). Line a square baking tin (20–22 cm) with baking paper.
- Melt the chocolate and butter together gently over low heat or in a microwave. Stir until smooth, then set aside to cool slightly.
- Whisk sugar and eggs together until just combined.
- Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the eggs.
- Fold in almond meal and cocoa powder until smooth.
- Pour mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the top.
- Sprinkle lightly with River Mint Finishing Salt.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until just set around the edges but still soft in the centre.
- Cool completely in the tin before slicing.
Serving ideas
- Serve at room temperature with whipped cream or crème fraîche
- Top with fresh berries for contrast
- Cut into small squares for dessert platters or gifting
Tips for success
- Use good-quality dark chocolate – it carries the flavour
- Don’t overbake; a soft centre keeps the brownies fudgy
- Start with a light sprinkle of river mint salt – it should lift, not dominate
Substitutions and variations
- Use butter and olive oil (half-and-half) for a lighter texture
- Add chopped walnuts or hazelnuts for crunch
- Swap almond meal for gluten-free plain flour if preferred
Make it ahead
- Brownies can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. The flavour improves slightly overnight.
Leftovers & next-day ideas
- Warm gently and serve with ice cream
- Crumble over yoghurt for a dessert-style breakfast
- Pack into small boxes for gifting
Allergen warning
Contains nuts (almond meal)
Note: Contains a native herb. If you have sensitivities, check the ingredients.
Nutrition information (estimate)
- Energy: ~320 kcal per serve
- Protein: ~32 g
- Fat: ~22 g
- Carbohydrates: ~2 g
**Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredients, brands, portion sizes and cooking method.
Why river mint works with chocolate
River mint has a fresh, cooling character similar to spearmint or peppermint, but softer and less sweet. With dark chocolate, it brings balance and lift rather than a strong mint flavour, making it ideal for desserts designed for adult palates.
Why sea salt works with chocolate
Salt enhances dark chocolate by balancing bitterness and drawing out natural sweetness, creating a deeper, more rounded flavour. Finished with river mint salt, these brownies gain lift and freshness without losing their rich, chocolatey character.
➞ [Shop River Mint Finishing Salt]
FAQs
Do these brownies taste minty?
Can I make these gluten free?
Can I freeze the brownies?
Dark Chocolate Brownies with River Mint Finishing Salt
Equipment
- Medium saucepan or heatproof bowl ve)
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk Rubber
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 20–22 cm square baking tin
- Baking paper
- Oven
- Optional: microwave-safe bowl if melting chocolate in the microwave
Ingredients
- 200 g dark chocolate 70–75%, chopped
- 150 g unsalted butter
- ¾ cup 150 g caster sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- ½ cup almond meal (50 g)
- ¼ cup cocoa powder (30 g)
- River Mint Finishing Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170°C (fan forced). Line a square baking tin (20–22 cm) with baking paper.
- Melt the chocolate and butter together gently over low heat or in a microwave. Stir until smooth, then set aside to cool slightly.
- Whisk sugar and eggs together until just combined.
- Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the eggs.
- Fold in almond meal and cocoa powder until smooth.
- Pour mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the top.
- Sprinkle lightly with River Mint Finishing Salt.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until just set around the edges but still soft in the centre.
- Cool completely in the tin before slicing.
Notes
Serving ideas
- Serve at room temperature with whipped cream or crème fraîche
- Add fresh berries for contrast
- Cut into small squares for dessert platters or gifting
Tips for success
- Use good-quality dark chocolate – it carries the flavour
- Don’t overbake; a soft centre keeps the brownies fudgy
- Start with a light sprinkle of river mint salt – it should lift, not dominate
Substitutions and variations
- Use butter and olive oil (half-and-half) for a lighter texture
- Add chopped walnuts or hazelnuts for crunch
- Swap almond meal for gluten-free plain flour if preferred
Costs
Costs are estimates only and will vary depending on ingredient brands and portion size.Have You Tried This Recipe?
If you make this dark chocolate brownies with river mint recipe, we’d love to see how they turned out. Tag us or leave a comment and rate the recipe.
And if you’re loving our River Mint Salt please consider leaving a quick review on the product page. Your feedback helps small businesses like mine thrive (and it will make my day too!).
About our recipes
Our recipes are designed to be simple, seasonal and flavour-led, using small-batch Tasmanian ingredients to make entertaining feel effortless. Ingredients, timings and nutrition information are provided as a guide to help you cook with confidence.
