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My Peppermint Brownies are loaded with chocolate, chopped peppermint, and semisweet chocolate chips, with raw cane sugar and topped with crushed candy canes and peppermints for a perfect crunch; these fudge brownies are deep, rich, and delightfully chocolaty.
Here are some more brownie recipes: Triple Chocolate Brownies, Sea Salt Caramel Brownies, Fudge Brownie Ice Cream, Chewy Fudge Brownies, and Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae.
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They are crazy rich, made from eleven ingredients, and insanely easy to make. Take a bite, and you'll get the super-moist texture. They are packed full of good-for-you ingredients and are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth without weighing you down.
These easy brownies are perfectly balanced to give you the best of both worlds: a delightfully soft and fudgy center with a crispy top that is hard to resist. The chocolaty fudginess of these brownies will make you smile, and the peppermint and candy cane garnishing will warm your heart even on the coldest winter days!
These peppermint brownies are perfect for gifting to an office colleague, teacher, or neighbor or enjoying a sweet holiday treat! They also make the ideal addition to your holiday cookie platter or dessert table.
Make this easy peppermint brownie recipe for a bite that will leave your taste buds begging for more. Every bite enchants your taste buds and delights your eyes. Enjoy them with hot cocoa on a cold winter's day. You'll be saying goodbye to boxed mixes really soon.
Peppermint Brownies Key Ingredients
Mint chocolate brownies are one of the most popular recipes around Christmas time, but they are good any time of the year. These brownies have a rich and luxurious feel, and the hint of peppermint gives them a holiday flair.
Let's break down the ingredients you need to make this peppermint brownie recipe and also their substitutions:
Three Chocolates
I prefer to use chocolate bars or chips instead of unsweetened cocoa powder. Dark chocolate chips will give your brownies the best chocolate flavor; bittersweet chocolate perfectly balances the flavors, while semisweet chocolate chips add a hint of sweetness.
Unsalted Butter
The secret to a fudgy and firm brownie recipe is using melted butter.
Unbleached Flour
The flour binds the ingredients together. You can substitute unbleached flour with all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour for your friends on a gluten-free diet.
Peppermints
Chocolate and peppermint perfectly complement one another. We will combine the chocolate and peppermint candies in the brownies, then finish with more crushed mints for a garnish.
How to Make Peppermint Brownies Recipe
To make these easy peppermint brownies, you need to follow these steps:
Preheat oven to 350°F/ 176°C. Place foil or parchment paper in an 8 x 8 pan; foil should hang over slightly. Spray with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, add the chocolates and butter. Microwave for 1 minute; stir to combine.
In a large bowl, beat eggs for 1 minute with a hand mixer on low speed. Add the sugar and mix for 30 seconds.
Pour in the melted chocolate and vanilla mix until combined.
In a small bowl, stir flour, baking powder, and salt. Pour into batter, and mix on low speed for 30 seconds until flour is combined. Avoid over-mixing.
Pour half the batter into the pan, spread evenly, sprinkle half the crushed peppermint over the batter, cover with the remaining brownie batter, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
When peppermint brownies are finished baking, lift them out of the pan and sprinkle them with more crushed peppermints. Cool completely for 1 hour before cutting. Dust them with powdered sugar for an excellent winter garnish.
How To Store Peppermint Brownies
You can store these chocolate peppermint brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To refrigerate, wrap each brownie in plastic wrap once it is cooled down and cut into pieces. They will stay yummy in your fridge for up to a week.
Place the individually wrapped brownies in a freezer storage bag for 3 months. Thaw 24 hours before eating or reheating.
Reheat the brownies in a 350°F/ 176°C oven for 5-7 minutes or pop in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Don't forget to cool them a little before eating.
Pro Recipe Substitutions, Tips & Tricks
To make the best and fudgiest peppermint brownies ever to pass your lips! You'll need to follow these tips:
- Mix the batter gently, and don't overdo it. An overmixed batter will result in a cakey brownie due to the excess air. Our goal is to achieve a fudgy brownie.
- As an alternative to all-purpose flour, gluten-free flour can also be used.
- Be careful not to overbake the brownies. A fudgy brownie is slightly underbaked. Brownies that have been removed from the oven tend to start pulling away from the sides and will have an oozy center.
- Let the brownies cool at room temperature for one hour, or place them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes for a clean cut.
- Instead of using a combo of unsweetened, bittersweet, and semisweet chocolate chips, feel free to use one type of chocolate.
- You can use salted butter instead of unsalted butter; only omit the salt from the recipe.
- You can use chocolate chips or chocolate bars.
- You can line your pan with parchment paper instead of foil.
- Feel free to crush candy canes in your brownies instead of peppermint candies.
- Try swapping the granulated sugar for light brown sugar.
- For more peppermint flavor, use peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract.
- If you love cream cheese frosting on your brownies, mix some peppermint extract for a delicious peppermint frosting.
- If you enjoy a chocolate frosting, make a chocolate ganache, let it cool completely, then spread it evenly over the cooled brownies.
FAQs
Here are the most asked questions about making this easy peppermint chocolate brownie recipe.
What are Peppermint Fudge Brownies?
Peppermint fudge brownies are one of the most decadent brownies sprinkled with crushed candy canes to dress them up. The rich, fudgy brownies are made with peppermints that give them their minty flavor, making them the perfect holiday treat.
Can you make these peppermint brownies gluten-free?
You substitute the all-purpose flour with high-quality gluten-free baking flour. The one thing I would say is that gluten-free baking is generally more finicky, so you may need to adjust the amounts of dry ingredients, the temperature of the oven, and the baking time. King Arthurs and Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 gf flour are my two favorite versions.
What are the best toppings for peppermint fudge brownies?
Add your favorite nuts, or chopped chocolate, or drizzle caramel over the brownies. I would say that the most significant topping is vanilla ice cream, and you don't need anything else.
If you want to add decorations, use peppermint drops, peppermint sticks, candy canes, and whipped cream. Alternatively, you can add some colorful chocolate candies like M&Ms.
How to make peppermint fudge brownies fudgy?
The best thing about the mint brownie recipe is that you can make it either cakey or fudgy according to your preferences. The best way to achieve a fudgy texture is to include more fat (butter) in the recipe. In this case, more chocolate and butter will do the trick.
How long should the brownies cool?
The secret to making the perfect peppermint brownie is to cool the brownies on a wire rack for at least one hour to help dry out the centers. For best results, chill them for 15 minutes before cutting.
Can you freeze peppermint fudge brownies?
Yes, you can freeze peppermint brownies for up to 3 months if they are wrapped in plastic wrap and kept in a freezer storage bag.
Can the brownie be made ahead of time?
These peppermint brownies are always better when freshly made, but you can certainly prepare them ahead of time. Let the brownies cool uncovered in the refrigerator for about an hour, then wrap them in plastic wrap separately (to prevent drying out) and chill overnight.
More Chocolate Recipes
If you love chocolate as much as I do, you'll love these recipes too!
- Chocolate Cream Pie
- Chocolate French Toast
- Chocolate Beignets
- Chocolate Banana Pudding
- Chocolate Waffles
- Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls
- Chocolate Hand Pies
- Chocolate Whiskey Cake
- Chocolate Espresso Cake
Before You Begin
Here are my steps for getting organized and moving fast in the kitchen.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F/ 176°C before pulling the ingredients out.
Step 2: Put all the measured ingredients into individual bowls.
Step 3: We don't want any surprises, so make sure your oven is heating to the correct temperature by placing an oven thermometer in the center of the oven while you finish the previous step.
Step 4: Start following the recipe and get ready for the best peppermint brownies ever!
The verdict? These candy cane brownies are incredibly delicious and perfect for the holiday season. If you're looking for a decadent, chocolatey treat that will impress your friends and family, look no further – these brownies have got you covered. Make them yourself and see how quickly they disappear!
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📖 Recipe
Peppermint Brownies
Ingredients
- 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate chopped
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 oz. 60% dark chocolate chopped or ⅓ cup chips
- 1 stick melted unsalted butter
- ¾ cup raw cane sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup unbleached flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 9 peppermints smashed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F(176°C). Place foil or parchment paper in an 8 x 8 pan; the foil should hang over slightly. Spray with cooking spray.
- In a bowl, add unsweetened chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, and butter. Microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds, then stir until smooth.
- In a medium bowl, beat eggs for 30 seconds with a hand mixer on low speed until combined. Add the sugar and mix for 30 seconds. Pour in the melted chocolate and vanilla, and mix until combined.
- In a small bowl stir flour, baking powder and salt, pour in to batter and mix on low speed for 30 seconds, until flour is combined. Avoid over mixing. Pour half the batter in pan, spread out evenly, sprinkle half the peppermint over batter, cover with remaining batter and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
- When brownies are finished baking, sprinkle with peppermints. Cool for 30 minutes before serving. Cold brownies cut cleaner and easier.
Notes
- Mix the batter gently, and don't overdo it. An overmixed batter will result in a cakey brownie due to the excess air. Our goal is to achieve a fudgy brownie.
- As an alternative to all-purpose flour, gluten-free flour can also be used.
- Be careful not to overbake the brownies. A fudgy brownie is slightly underbaked. Brownies that have been removed from the oven tend to start pulling away from the sides and will have an oozy center.
- Let the brownies cool at room temperature for one hour, or place them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes for a clean cut.
- Instead of using a combo of unsweetened, bittersweet, and semisweet chocolate chips, feel free to use one type of chocolate.
- You can use salted butter instead of unsalted butter; only omit the salt from the recipe.
- You can use chocolate chips or chocolate bars.
- You can line your pan with parchment paper instead of foil.
- Feel free to crush candy canes in your brownies instead of peppermint candies.
- Try swapping the granulated sugar for light brown sugar.
- For more peppermint flavor, use peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract.
- If you love cream cheese frosting on your brownies, mix some peppermint extract for a delicious peppermint frosting.
- If you enjoy a chocolate frosting, make a chocolate ganache, let it cool completely, then spread it evenly over the cooled brownies.
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