Festive Peppermint Brownies Everyone Will Love Recipe
These Festive Peppermint Brownies combine rich, fudgy chocolate with a refreshing peppermint twist, perfect for holiday celebrations. Topped with a creamy cocoa frosting and sprinkled with crunchy crushed peppermint candy, this dessert promises a delightful blend of flavors that everyone will love.
- Author: Tim
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Brownie Batter
- ½ cup salted butter (melted)
- ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- ¾ tsp peppermint extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- ¾ tsp espresso powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips or chunks
Frosting
- ¼ cup salted butter (melted)
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2 ⅓ cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 2–3 tablespoons whole milk
Topping
- Crushed peppermint candy (for decoration)
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly butter the sides to ensure the brownies lift out cleanly and the edges stay perfect.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Melt the salted butter until smooth. Stir in the light brown sugar until the mixture is glossy and soft. Beat in the eggs one at a time gently. Add the peppermint extract, which will fill your kitchen with festive fragrance.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder (if using), cornstarch, and baking powder. Fold these dry ingredients carefully into the wet mixture until no flour streaks remain, ensuring not to overmix.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks into the batter, reserving a few to scatter on top before baking for a melty pocket of chocolate in every bite.
- Fill Pan and Bake: Spoon the brownie batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula for a polished finish. Bake for about 30 minutes. Start checking around 28 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached for fudgy brownies.
- Cool the Brownies: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before applying the frosting to prevent melting and ensure easy spreading.
- Prepare Frosting: Mix the melted butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth and creamy. If the frosting is too thick, add milk a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Frost and Decorate: Gently spread the frosting over the cooled brownies. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy on top to add a crunchy texture, bright holiday color, and a refreshing peppermint aroma.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once decorated, slice and serve these festive peppermint brownies to your delighted guests and enjoy a perfect holiday treat.
Notes
- Room temperature eggs help the batter mix evenly for a smoother texture.
- The espresso powder is optional but enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Be careful not to overbake to maintain fudgy brownies.
- Use crushed peppermint candy of your choice: candy canes or peppermint disks both work great.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: peppermint brownies, holiday dessert, chocolate brownies, festive brownies, peppermint chocolate dessert