Get in the holiday spirit with these easy peppermint brownies! These ain’t your ordinary peppermint brownies boos. They’ve got a chocolate frosting that will have you questioning how you ever ate brownies without it! These festive brownies are rich, chocolatey, and chewy with a refreshing and crunchy peppermint candy topping. This recipe is the bomb for any holiday treat you wanna serve for Christmas gatherings, gifting or cozy nights in.
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Folks have no idea how easy it is to make brownies at home. I literally cannot believe when my followers tell me they are intimidated by homemade brownies and use a box most times. After you try this, you might want to hang up the box for good boos. These frosted peppermint brownies are def good enough to ditch the store bought!
You can literally leave the brownies as is or have fun by adding some additional peppermint extract to the batter as well! You can leave them plain and even ditch the peppermint in the frosting for a plain fudgy, Christmas brownie.
Why I Love Christmas Peppermint Brownies
- Fewer dishes! Everything mixes up in one bowl, making cleanup a breeze!
- Great flavor that’s perfect for the holidays but also perfect any time of year you crave chocolate mint brownies!
- These peppermint brownies literally melt in your mouth, and the texture is insane y’all!
- A very adaptable recipe that is perfect all year round! Simply swap the flavorings as you prefer!
The Heart & Soul Of These Peppermint Brownies
Cuisine Inspiration: American
Cooking Method: Baked
Dietary Info: Vegetarian
Key Flavor: Chocolate and Peppermint
Skill Level: Easy
Sweet Spots
- Its fudgy and rich texture is perfect for chocolate lovers.
- Quick and easy, ideal for last-minute holiday baking.
- A festive twist on a classic brownie, great for holiday parties.
- Can be easily customized with different toppings.
- Simple instructions that require dumping everything in one bowl make this recipe perfect for the holiday season!
Ingredients To Make Peppermint Brownies
This recipe for peppermint brownies is a super simple one. Here are the ingredients that make these brownies super fudgy and indulgent with minimal hard work:
- Melted Butter: Using melted butter instead of room temperature butter typical in most baking, removes the need for a stand mixer or hand mixer.
- Sugar: We’re using brown sugar and granulated sugar. The brown sugar makes these brownies even chewier.
- Eggs: Moistens the brownie batter and gives this bar dessert its structure.
- Oil: Keeps your mint chocolate brownies super moist and delicious.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works perfectly for making brownies.
- Cocoa Powder: Blends easily with the flour, so you don’t need to take the extra step to melt chocolate.
- Leavening: This recipe uses baking soda to promote the ingredients rising while they bake.
- Flavor: A bit of salt enhances the chocolate flavor, while vanilla extract provides a naturally warming flavor. Make sure to use real vanilla extract, not imitation.
How To Make Peppermint Brownies with Frosting
The peppermint brownies themselves are chewy, chocolatey, and just plain decadent. Let’s mix up a batch! Here’s an overview of the steps, but the full instructions are in the recipe card.
- Combine the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a medium mixing bowl and whisk together.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each one to fully incorporate them into the mixture.
- Add the oil and vanilla extract to the sugar and egg mixture.
- Slowly add in the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in intervals until the batter is well mixed and smooth.
- Pour the brownie batter into a prepared 8×8-sized baking pan. Bake the brownies for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out just barely clean. Don’t overbake.
- When done cooking, remove the brownies and cool them on a cooling rack while you make the frosting.
How to Make Frosting for Peppermint Brownies
Mix up the frosting while your brownies are cooling. The frosting which is seriously just as easy to make and so creamy and full of peppermint flavor. Let’s look at how to make it.
- Add the butter to your stand mixer and mix on medium speed until fluffy.
- Add the cocoa powder and powdered sugar to the butter and start mixing on low speed. Speed up the mixer to medium speed as it begins to mix in, and continue mixing until everything is incorporated and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and milk to the bowl. Mix until everything is mixed in. completely fluffy, and well incorporated.
- Spread the frosting over the brownies, then sprinkle with crushed peppermint. Cut the frosted peppermint brownies into squares and serve.
Expert Tips For Making The Best Peppermint Brownies with Frosting
- Don’t overbake your brownies! Cook them just until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out mostly clean!
- Allow the brownies to fully cool before adding the frosting to prevent it from melting.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
- To cut clean slices, use a warm knife and wipe between cuts.
Substitutions & Additions
- Substitute vanilla extract with almond, mint extract, or another flavor of your choice for a different twist on these peppermint brownies. Same with the frosting. This is a very adaptable recipe that is perfect all year round.
- Mix in nuts or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
- Top with a white chocolate drizzle for extra sweetness and color.
- Using chopped peppermint candy canes is just as great! Try using mint chocolate candy canes.
What To Serve With Peppermint Brownies
- Pair with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream for a classic dessert combination.
- For a truly decadent treat, pair your peppermint brownies with a peppermint eggnog hot chocolate! Serve alongside a warm cup of French Hot Chocolate for a cozy treat.
- As always, a cold glass of milk or a cup of coffee is perfect too!
How to Store and Reheat Peppermint Brownies
The best way to store peppermint frosted brownies is at room temperature. Wrap them up in plastic wrap or foil or place them in an airtight container. They will last up to three days stored at room temperature.
How long will peppermint brownies last in the fridge? They can also be stored in the fridge if you want to extend their shelf-life. Peppermint brownies can last in the fridge for up to a week when stored properly.
Can I freeze Christmas brownies? You can freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Reheating: Reheat Christmas brownies in the microwave for a few seconds at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Just a hint of peppermint extract is all you need to get in the holiday mood. The flavor is so pure that a little goes a long way. That’s because there are two pounds of 100% peppermint leaves (grown in the Pacific Northwest) in each bottle, which means you are getting 100% pure flavor every single time you use it! It is so refreshing and yummy, and it is a wonderful way to add some holiday flair to a classic everyday dessert made all year round. Start with about 1/4 teaspoon and then add more if you feel like you want it to have a more intense flavor!
Yes! These brownies are just as delicious without frosting. Consider adding peppermint extract to the brownie batter as well as vanilla to infuse the chocolate brownies with that yummy peppermint flavor as well. Adding chunks of peppermint candies to the brownie batter will also impart some of the flavor to.
Of course! Feel free to stir in your favorite nuts, like walnuts or pecans, for an added crunch. White chocolate chips, or sprinkles can also be a fun addition, especially if you’re looking to make these brownies even more festive.
To easily break up the peppermint candies without much hassle or mess, place them in a sturdy resealable bag. Seal tightly, then using a rolling pin or heavy object like a small pot, gently tap and crush the candies into smaller pieces. Once they are broken, you can easily sprinkle them from the bag overtop of your brownies.
Other Chocolate and Peppermint Combinations
The fusion of peppermint and chocolate is a timeless classic, evoking memories of winter holidays, cozy evenings by the fire, and festive cheer. As the season of joy and giving approaches, there’s no better way to celebrate than by creating heartwarming treats that blend the refreshing zing of peppermint with the rich decadence of chocolate.
- Chocolate Pound Cake with Peppermint Ganache: This isn’t just any pound cake; it’s a rich, chocolatey masterpiece draped in a luxurious peppermint ganache. The dense, moist cake cradles the bright freshness of peppermint, making every slice a celebration of flavor.
- Peppermint Chocolate Pie: Chocolate mousse and peppermint collide, all nestled within a buttery, flaky crust. The textures are so perfect together boos!
- Peppermint Bark: Simple, elegant, and irresistibly crunchy, peppermint bark combines layers of dark and white chocolate sprinkled with crushed candy canes. It’s a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
- Peppermint French Silk Pie: Light, silky, and unbelievably smooth, this pie offers an indulgent chocolate filling topped with fluffy whipped cream and delicate peppermint shavings.
- Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Buttercream: These cupcakes are the stuff of dreams y’all – tender, cocoa-rich cakes topped with a velvety peppermint buttercream.
More Brownie Recipes
If you like this Peppermint One Bowl Brownies recipe, then you’ll love some of my other great brownie recipes.
- Cosmic Brownies
- Caramel Pretzel Brownies
- Mississippi Mud Brownies
- Chewy Brownies
- Salted Caramel Popcorn Brownies
- Turtle Brownies
*Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating and leave comments below!* Post a photo of how your version of the recipe came out on Instagram (using #grandbabycakes)!!
Peppermint Brownies
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Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted then cooled 1 stick
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Peppermint Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
- ¼ teaspoon McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Crushed peppermint for garnish
Instructions
For the Brownies:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 8×8 sized baking pan with parchment paper and non-stick spray.
- In a medium sized bowl, add melted butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar and whisk together.
- Next add in eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition to incorporate.
- Mix in oil and vanilla extract.
- In intervals, slowly add in flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt until batter is well mixed, smooth and all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add brownie batter to 8×8 sized baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out just barely clean. Don’t overbake.
- Remove brownies and cool on cooling rack while you make the frosting.
For the Peppermint Frosting:
- Add butter to stand mixer and mix on medium speed until fluffy.
- Next slow down mixer to slowest speed and carefully add cocoa powder and powdered sugar to butter. Once it begins to mix in, speed the mixer up to medium speed and allow until everything is incorporated and fluffy.
- Then add in vanilla extract, peppermint extract and milk and mix until completely fluffy and well incorporated.
- Spread frosting over brownies then sprinkle with crushed peppermint. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published December 2016. It has been updated with new images and content.
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These chocolatey, minty delicious brownies are a perfect treat for any occasion. I can’t wait to dig into them.
One of the best flavor combos in sweet treats out there! Love these brownies so much. They’re our winter treat go-to!
They look absolutely perfect. Pretty as a picture!
Thank you so much boo!
These brownies are SO pretty and festive <3 And I love that they're only 1 bowl (girl you know I hate dishes) and look so deeeliciously chocolatey!
One bowl makes me so very happy!
Those are the pretties brownies (and beautiful photos)! I have a feeling my family would love them.
These would be perfect for dessert at our Christmas Eve family party! LOVE the photos!
YES it would be. Thanks so much!
What a delicious brownie recipe for the holiday. I love those smooshed candy canes.
no need to reinvent the wheel, especially not brownies. the classics are the best hands down, but I LOVE adding peppermint during the holidays. pure perfection
I absolutely love the classics too girl!
Yuuummm… these look delicious!
Thank you so much hon! Happy Holidays!