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Beautifully layered peppermint brownies are fudgy and delicious with a dusting of crushed candy – they’re perfect for the holidays!
Chocolate + Peppermint = Love!
Everyone in my family LOVES these peppermint brownies! Probably because we love the chocolate and peppermint combo. It’s a classic flavor pairing, especially around Christmas, and a reason why we make these every December.
Another reason is the gorgeous layers! We love to show this dessert off at family gatherings and on goodie plates!!
Brownies are awesome year-round, but I love making festive brownie recipes like these during the holidays along with our Brownie Christmas Trees and Peppermint Brownie Trifle.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- Easy. Utilizing a brownie mix makes these even simpler to whip up.
- Flavorful. These treats have a brownie base, cream layer, and delicious chocolate topping with peppermint pieces on top.
- Feeds the masses. That’s one reason we love brownies or bar desserts!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
CHILL TIME: 30 minutes
- 1 (18.3-ounce) box fudge brownie mix – The ingredients on the back of the box typically include water, a large egg, and vegetable oil, or use a Homemade Brownie Recipe that fills a 9×13 pan.
- 2½ cups confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)
- 1 cup unsalted butter – How to Soften Butter Quickly
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2-3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- crushed candy canes – Use a food processor, or place the peppermint candies in a plastic zipper bag and crush them with a meat mallet or rolling pin. You can also use chopped Peppermint Andes.
How to Make Peppermint Brownies
- PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare the 9×13 baking dish by lining the pan with parchment paper.
- BROWNIE LAYER. Prepare a box of brownies as directed on the package. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake 20-25 minutes using a toothpick to check for doneness.
- FROSTING LAYER. While brownies are cooling, beat 2½ cups powdered sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream, and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Spread evenly over cooled brownies.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- GANACHE LAYER. In a small pot melt 1½ cups mini chocolate chips and ½ cup butter on low heat, stirring constantly. Spread over chilled brownies.
- Sprinkle with candy cane pieces and chill again for 30 – 60 minutes to set up.
Chocolate Melting Tip
Use the microwave to melt the chocolate chips. Place the butter and mini chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat. Stir the mixture every 30 seconds until hot and smooth.
More Like This
More Peppermint Desserts
Peppermint Meltaways
1 hr 30 mins
Peppermint Chocolate Delight
2 hrs 20 mins
Peppermint Oreo Fudge
18 mins
Peppermint Ice Cream Dessert
4 hrs 10 mins
Brownies
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Peppermint Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 (18.3-ounce) box fudge brownie mix, plus the ingredients on the back
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, divided
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1½ cups mini chocolate chips
- crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare brownies as directed on the box. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake 20-25 minutes.
- While the brownies are cooling, beat powdered sugar, ½ cup butter (softened), cream, and peppermint in a large bowl. Spread evenly over cooled brownies.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In a small pot melt mini chocolate chips and ½ cup butter on low heat, stirring constantly. Spread over chilled brownies.
- Sprinkle with candy cane pieces and chill again for 30 – 60 minutes to help set up quicker, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Flash freeze in a large block or smaller pieces until it is solid. Wrap the large block with plastic wrap then again with foil, or wrap individual slices with plastic and place them together in a Freezer Ziploc. Freeze for 1-2 months, unwrap before thawing.
Chill and store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days (our favorite way). You can also keep them at room temperature for 2-3 days.
These brownies put us in the Christmas spirit every year. Simple, easy and yummy. I’d like a way to get more peppermint flavor without the peppermint chunks. Other than that I love it.
Good thing we only make these once a year because I end up eating so many of them! Love these brownies!!
Probably my #1 fav holiday dessert! I like to color the icing layer red or green and crush the candy canes into dust so there isn’t too much of a crunch. A yearly must!
Probably my #1 fav holiday dessert! I like to color the icing layer red or green and crush the candy canes into dust so there isn’t too much of a crunch. So, so good!
these brownies look amazing. Could these be fozen?
Thank you!! I personally have not tried freezing them, so I am not sure how they’d turn out.
Love the layers to this, not only looks good but tastes great!
Lily, these Peppermint Brownies look delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Lily!
You are so sweet! I will tell Lily 🙂 Thank you so much!
How much cream cheese???? It is no where in your recipe.
Lily, these brownies look so delicious! Chocolate and peppermint are amazing together! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much! I will pass this along to Lily! They are amazing together!
Lily, I made these brownies for my work party tonight, and they were a HUGE hit! Of course I gave credit to you and this blog post. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing this yummy recipe! I hope the piano recital went well last week, too!
Lily, I know that you will be great at your recital. I remember my first recital many, many years ago. Thanks for the peppermint brownie recipe. I love peppermint and chocolate together. Have a great last week of school 🙂