Welcome, fellow bakers and holiday enthusiasts! There’s something truly magical about the aroma of freshly baked treats filling your home during the festive season. And when it comes to holiday desserts, few things capture the spirit quite like a rich, fudgy brownie. But we’re not just talking about any brownie today. We’re diving into the enchanting world of Peppermint Brownies Holiday Style – a delightful fusion of deep chocolate and refreshing peppermint that’s guaranteed to be a showstopper at any gathering.
Imagine biting into a soft, chewy brownie, with an intense chocolate flavor, followed by a cool, minty kick. Topped with a creamy peppermint frosting and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes, these brownies are more than just a dessert; they’re a celebration in every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe is designed to be simple, satisfying, and utterly delicious. Get ready to spread some holiday cheer, one peppermint brownie at a time!
A Sweet History and Festive Background
Brownies have a fascinating history, rumored to have originated in the late 19th century in the United States. From a happy accident to a beloved dessert, they’ve evolved into countless variations. The rich, dense texture makes them a perfect canvas for all sorts of flavors. Peppermint, on the other hand, has long been synonymous with the holiday season. Its crisp, cool flavor evokes memories of candy canes, hot cocoa, and festive cheer.
Combining these two beloved elements – the classic brownie and the iconic holiday flavor of peppermint – creates a dessert that is both nostalgic and exciting. It’s a modern holiday tradition in the making, bringing together the comforting familiarity of chocolate with the bright, invigorating taste of mint. This recipe pays homage to these traditions while offering a fresh, easy-to-make treat for your holiday table.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons why these peppermint brownies will become your new holiday favorite!
- Incredibly Fudgy Texture Our recipe ensures a dense, moist, and wonderfully fudgy brownie base.
- Perfect Peppermint Balance The mint flavor is just right – noticeable but not overpowering.
- Easy to Make Simple steps and common ingredients make this recipe approachable for all skill levels.
- Festive and Beautiful The vibrant red and white toppings make these brownies visually stunning for holidays.
- Crowd-Pleaser Everyone loves a good brownie, and adding peppermint makes it extra special.
- Versatile Great for holiday parties, potlucks, or a cozy night in by the fire.
Essential Ingredient Notes
Let’s talk about the stars of our show – the ingredients! Using quality ingredients makes all the difference in the final taste and texture of your brownies.
- Unsalted Butter We use unsalted butter to control the overall saltiness of the recipe. If you only have salted, reduce the added salt by half.
- Granulated Sugar Provides sweetness and helps achieve that desirable chewy texture.
- Large Eggs Eggs add richness, moisture, and act as a binder for the brownie batter.
- Vanilla Extract A touch of vanilla enhances the chocolate flavor beautifully.
- All-Purpose Flour Just enough to give structure without making the brownies cakey.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder Use a good quality cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa works wonderfully for a darker brownie.
- Salt Balances the sweetness and brings out the chocolate notes.
- Peppermint Extract This is key for the minty flavor. Start with a smaller amount and add more to taste if you prefer a stronger mint.
- Powdered Sugar For the frosting – ensures a smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Milk or Cream To achieve the right consistency for your frosting.
- Crushed Candy Canes The perfect festive garnish and a delightful crunchy texture.
Equipment You Will Need
Having the right tools makes the baking process smooth and enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need for these delicious brownies:
- 9×13 Inch Baking Pan A standard size that ensures even baking and perfect brownie thickness.
- Parchment Paper Essential for easy removal of the brownies from the pan.
- Large Mixing Bowls You’ll need at least two – one for dry ingredients and one for wet.
- Whisk For combining dry ingredients and mixing wet ingredients.
- Rubber Spatula Great for folding in flour and scraping down the sides of bowls.
- Saucepan or Microwave-Safe Bowl For melting butter and chocolate.
- Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) Optional for the frosting, but makes it much quicker and creamier.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons Accuracy is important in baking!
- Cooling Rack To allow the brownies to cool completely before frosting.
Full Recipe Card for Peppermint Brownies Holiday Style
Let’s get baking! Follow these simple steps for perfect holiday peppermint brownies.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (plus more for frosting)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the Peppermint Frosting
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk or heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Pinch of salt
- Red food coloring (optional, for festive swirl)
- For Garnish
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
- Melt Butter and Sugar In a large, microwave-safe bowl or saucepan, melt the butter. Remove from heat and stir in the granulated sugar until well combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients Whisk in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Bake Brownies Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Cool Completely Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. This is crucial for clean cuts.
- Make Peppermint Frosting In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with milk/cream and 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until smooth and creamy. If desired, divide the frosting and tint one portion with red food coloring for a festive swirl.
- Frost and Garnish Once brownies are completely cool, spread the peppermint frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle generously with crushed candy canes.
- Slice and Serve Chill the brownies for at least 30 minutes to set the frosting, then lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into squares and serve!
Recipe Notes
- For extra fudgy brownies, you can slightly underbake them (a toothpick should come out with moist crumbs, not liquid batter).
- Make sure your butter for the frosting is truly softened, not melted, for the best consistency.
- Adjust peppermint extract in both brownies and frosting to your personal preference.
Tips and Variations
Want to make these even more special or tweak them to your taste? Here are some ideas:
- Chocolate Drizzle Before the frosting sets, drizzle melted dark or white chocolate over the top for an extra layer of decadence.
- Mint Chocolate Chips Fold a half cup of mint chocolate chips into the brownie batter for an intensified minty chocolate experience.
- Gluten-Free Option Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free all-purpose baking blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum).
- Cream Cheese Frosting For a tangier twist, swap out the peppermint buttercream for a peppermint-flavored cream cheese frosting.
- Dark Chocolate Base Use dark cocoa powder and even some chopped dark chocolate in the batter for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor.
Pro Chef Tips
Elevate your peppermint brownies with these professional insights:
- Don’t Overmix Overmixing flour develops gluten, which can lead to tough, cakey brownies. Mix until just combined.
- Cool Completely Patience is a virtue here! Frosting warm brownies will result in a melted, messy frosting. Ensure they are completely cool.
- Sharp Knife for Slicing For clean, professional-looking cuts, use a large, sharp knife. Wipe the blade clean between each cut, especially after frosting.
- Chill Before Slicing Chilling the frosted brownies for at least 30 minutes helps the frosting set and makes slicing much easier and cleaner.
- Room Temperature Eggs Using room temperature eggs helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter, leading to a more uniform texture.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even simple recipes can have pitfalls. Steer clear of these common errors for perfect brownies every time:
- Overbaking The biggest culprit for dry brownies. Keep an eye on the baking time; a toothpick should come out with moist crumbs, not completely clean.
- Not Lining the Pan This makes removal incredibly difficult and can lead to broken brownies. Parchment paper is your best friend!
- Frosting Warm Brownies As mentioned, this creates a mess. Always wait until they are fully cooled.
- Too Much Peppermint Extract Peppermint extract is potent! Start with the recommended amount and add more cautiously if you want a stronger flavor.
- Cutting Too Soon If the brownies and frosting aren’t properly set and chilled, your slices will be messy and crumble.
Storage and Meal Prep
These brownies are wonderful for meal prep and make-ahead planning!
- Room Temperature Store frosted peppermint brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- Refrigeration If your kitchen is very warm, or if you prefer a firmer frosting, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Bring them to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Make-Ahead and Freezer Notes
These brownies are excellent candidates for making ahead, especially during the busy holiday season!
- Make Ahead You can bake the brownies a day or two in advance, cool them completely, and then frost them on the day you plan to serve.
- Freezing Brownies (Unfrosted) Bake and cool the brownies completely. Wrap the entire slab (or individual squares) tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
- Freezing Brownies (Frosted) For best results, freeze frosted brownies in a single layer on a baking sheet until the frosting is firm. Then, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Store in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
These peppermint brownies are fantastic on their own, but here are some ideas to make them even more special:
- With a Scoop of Ice Cream A dollop of vanilla bean ice cream or even mint chocolate chip ice cream takes these to the next level.
- Alongside Hot Beverages Pair them with a warm mug of hot cocoa, coffee, or a festive peppermint tea.
- Dessert Platter Arrange them beautifully on a holiday dessert platter with other festive treats like cookies and truffles.
- Gift Giving Wrap individual brownies in cellophane bags with a festive ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
