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Peppermint Brownies
Peppermint brownies are rich, chocolatey, and super easy to make. The peppermint flavor makes these yummy brownies the perfect holiday treat.
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Peppermint brownies are the ultimate holiday treat! These easy peppermint brownies boast a rich chocolate flavor and the perfect amount of peppermint crunch for an irresistible holiday treat. Each bite is like a burst of Christmas in your mouth! Made with a boxed brownie mix, the hardest part of this recipe is waiting for the peppermint brownies to bake and the frosting to firm up.
Looking for more brownie recipes that are perfect for the holidays? Reindeer Brownies, Christmas Brownies, and Baileys Brownies are three more recipes full of holiday cheer.
Peppermint Brownies Ingredients
You will need:
Brownies
- 16 ounce box brownie mix (and ingredients needed to prepare brownies according to box – usually water, eggs, oil)
- ½ cup crushed candy canes for topping
Peppermint Frosting
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
- 2 drops red food coloring
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Substitutions and Additions
CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Add semi-sweet chocolate chips or larger chocolate chunks mixed into the brownie batter for an extra burst of rich chocolate.
How to Make Peppermint Brownies
STEP ONE: Prepare an 8×8 square pan with parchment paper.
PRO TIP: Lining the pan with parchment paper will allow you to lift the entire baked brownies out of the pan for easier cutting once cooled.
STEP TWO: Prepare and bake brownies according to package directions in the prepared pan, then allow to cool.
PRO TIP: Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your brownies as the suggested baking time approaches.
STEP THREE: Prepare the frosting while the brownies are cooling. Add butter to a stand mixer or large bowl with an electric mixer and beat until light and fluffy. Add confectioner’s sugar in batches and beat until well combined. Add heavy whipping cream, then fold in peppermint candies and food coloring.
STEP FOUR: Top the cooled brownie base with buttercream frosting, spread evenly, then refrigerate or freeze while preparing the ganache.
PRO TIP: The frosting is light and fluffy – chilling it before adding the ganache will help it hold up to the addition of the warm ganache. I popped the frosted brownies in the freezer for about 20 minutes before adding the ganache.
STEP FIVE: Add cream to a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 60 seconds or until beginning to steam. Immediately add chocolate chips and cover for 3 minutes, then whisk until creamy.
STEP SIX: Pour ganache over frosted brownies, and sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy over top of the ganache. Chill in the freezer until the ganache is set – about 20 minutes.
STEP SEVEN: Remove brownies from the pan to a cutting board using the parchment paper, then cut into squares and serve.
How to Serve Peppermint Brownies
Chocolate brownies and a cool peppermint frosting are a match made in heaven! This holiday season, mix up a batch of these delightfully decadent brownies to take to a Christmas party or cookie swap. Or serve them along with a warm mug of homemade hot chocolate for a special treat after dinner. These rich peppermint brownies also pair deliciously with a scoop of creamy, cool vanilla ice cream. Add a dollop of whipped cream on top for a truly indulgent dessert.
Storage
ON THE COUNTER: This delicious treat will keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
IN THE FRIDGE: You can also store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
IN THE FREEZER: Freeze this peppermint brownie recipe for up to 3 months. Label the container to ensure that you enjoy your brownies while they are at their best.
Peppermint brownies are the perfect balance of chocolatey comfort and cool, minty pleasure in every bite. Rich, chocolatey, and super easy to make, the peppermint flavor makes these yummy brownies the perfect holiday treat.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I freeze this easy brownie recipe?
These fudgy brownies can be frozen for up to three months.
Why are my brownies hard?
Brownies harden up if they are in the oven too long. For brownies, it’s better to slightly underbake them than to overbake them.
What is the secret to a good brownie?
One of the keys to good moist brownies is not overbeating the eggs. Mixing them too much will add more air to the batter, resulting in cake-like brownies rather than dense, fudgy ones.
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Peppermint Brownies
Peppermint brownies are rich, chocolatey, and super easy to make. The peppermint flavor makes these yummy brownies the perfect holiday treat.
Ingredients
Brownies
- 16 ounces box brownie mix and ingredients needed to prepare brownies according to box – usually water, eggs, oil
- ½ cup crushed candy canes for topping
Peppermint Frosting
- ¾ cup butter softened
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
- 2 drops red food coloring
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare an 8×8 square pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare and bake brownies according to package directions in the prepared pan, then allow to cool.
- Prepare the frosting while the brownies are cooling. Add butter to a stand mixer or large bowl with an electric mixer and beat until light and fluffy. Add confectioner’s sugar in batches and beat until well combined. Add heavy whipping cream, then fold in peppermint candies and food coloring.
- Top the cooled brownie base with buttercream frosting, spread evenly, then refrigerate or freeze while preparing the ganache.
- Add cream to a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 60 seconds or until beginning to steam. Immediately add chocolate chips and cover for 3 minutes, then whisk until creamy.
- Pour ganache over frosted brownies, and sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy over top of the ganache. Chill in the freezer until the ganache is set – about 20 minutes.
- Remove brownies from the pan to a cutting board using the parchment paper, then cut into squares and serve.
Notes
Lining the pan with parchment paper will allow you to lift the entire baked brownies out of the pan for easier cutting once cooled.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your brownies as the suggested baking time approaches.
The frosting is light and fluffy – chilling it before adding the ganache will help it hold up to the addition of the warm ganache. I popped the frosted brownies in the freezer for about 20 minutes before adding the ganache.
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