Creme de Menthe Brownies

One of my fondest college memories is of getting all dolled up and going to The Elmwood Inn, an historic home (used as a hospital during the Civil War) turned fancy and delicious tea house. For a prix-fixe of around $25 (considered so pricey in central Kentucky), my friends and I were served all the amazing in-house brews we could want (prepared so properly the Brits would be impressed) plus a multi-course afternoon tea including scones, tea sandwiches, pastries, and some sort of seasonal dessert, like a refreshing watermelon sorbet or a decadent pumpkin cake.

It was difficult to remember to be a lady, though, when presented with so many incredibly scrumptious choices. Usually I didn't talk until the meal was over, other than borderline-inappropriate moans of pleasure.

Sadly, no tragically, the Elmwood Inn shut its doors as a teahouse a few years ago. Its owners, Bruce and Shelley Richardson, wanted to devote their time to traveling the great tea houses of the world, publishing cookbooks and tour guides, and giving book talks to tea and pastry fanatics such as myself. I'm happy for them that their dream is working out, but there will always be a huge hole in my heart shaped like Elmwood Inn Teahouse.

Thankfully, my mom purchased two of their cookbooks for me, and these have become my bibles for baked goods. Their recipes are surprising, sophisticated and no-fail.

Possibly my favorite recipe is for Creme de Menthe Brownies, layers of fudgey brownie topped with a layer of creme de menthe icing and then another layer of bitter chocolate. RI-DI-CU-LOUS.

I made these for my friend's Laura's birthday party, but they'd be perfect for your next brunch or cocktail party, wouldn't you think?

Oh, and if you want to purchase your own cookbooks, find out more about Bruce and Shelley Richardson, or buy their delicious teas (I highly recommend the Mayor's Cup), please visit their website. And if you're ever in Perryville, visit the historic house (which still stands) and pour one out for me. Tea, that is.