Peppermint brownies is a yummy twist on the classic brownie, mixing rich chocolate with a cool peppermint flavor. You mostly get a fudgy brownie bottom that has peppermint extract and chunks of crushed candy canes. The treat is so tasty, it makes your mouth water and feels like a cozy holiday. No one really knows exactly where it come from, but chocolate and mint has been a favorite for ages, especially when its cold outside.
They've become a big hit during the holidays and at special get-togethers, so you often see them at cookie exchanges or family parties. The smell of fresh brownies and peppermint in the air is the kind of thing that brings back good memories.
Seasonal flavors are super important in baking cause they let you try new combos and share sweet moments with your friends or family. Peppermint stands out in winter, giving a nice fresh kick next to the sweet chocolate. Here i’ll go over peppermint brownies with a full recipe, ingredient notes, baking tips, and ways to tweak it for different diets. Whether you just started baking or you’ve done it a bunch, making peppermint brownies is sure to add some holiday magic to your kitchen.
What Are Peppermint Brownies?
Peppermint brownies is a fun treat that mixes the gooey texture of regular brownies with a fresh peppermint punch. These brownies usually have a chocolate base with peppermint extract thrown in, making them perfect for holiday time. Adding crushed peppermint candies or candy canes give a nice crunch and make the mint taste pop, so they look good and taste awesome.
The big difference between traditional brownies and peppermint brownies is the minty part. Regular brownies is all about rich chocolate, but peppermint brownies mix that deep chocolate taste with a cool mint feel. That combo is extra popular in the cold months when peppermint flavors are everywhere in desserts.
You can even find versions that got a creamy peppermint icing on top for more sweetness, or recipes that put mint chocolate chips in the batter. Some folks swap some chocolate for white chocolate to get a pretty contrast that looks fancy and tastes delicious. No matter how you make them, peppermint brownies should please both chocolate fans and mint lovers.
Ingredients Needed for Peppermint Brownies
To make awesome peppermint brownies, you need these basic stuff:
- Brownie base: chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt for that fudgy texture.
- Peppermint extract: the key to that minty boost in the brownie batter.
- Crushed peppermint candies: for the crunch and color that makes them pop.
- Frosting options: you can pick chocolate or cream cheese frosting to go on top and make it even more yummy.
Using good ingredients really matter for the end result. For example, picking high-quality chocolate and real butter can make your brownies richer and more moist. You can also swap stuff for different diets, like using gluten-free flour if someone can’t have gluten, or dairy-free butter or chocolate for a vegan version.
Equipment Required
Here’s what you should have in your kitchen to bake peppermint brownies without hassle:
- Mixing bowls: a few sizes so you can mix different ingredients.
- Baking pan: a 9x13-inch pan works best for this recipe.
- Electric mixer: optional but helpful to make mixing faster.
- Spatula and measuring cups/spoons: you need these for accurate measuring and getting the batter smooth.
Detailed Recipe for Peppermint Brownies
Ingredients
Gather these items before you start baking:
- For the brownie base:
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candies (or candy canes)
- For the peppermint frosting:
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cream
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Extra crushed peppermint for topping
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9x13-inch pan and line with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter and stir in the sugar until its mixed well.
- Add the eggs one at a time with vanilla and peppermint extract, mixing good after each one.
- Slowly stir in cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt until you don’t see any patches of flour.
- Fold in the crushed peppermint candies.
- Pour the batter into your pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- To make the frosting, beat softened butter, powdered sugar, cream, and peppermint extract until its light and fluffy.
- Let the brownies cool completely before you spread on the frosting.
- Sprinkle extra crushed peppermint on top, cut into squares, and serve.
Advice for Perfect Peppermint Brownies
Here’s some tips to make sure your peppermint brownies turn out great:
- Watch your bake time: ovens can differ, so start checking a few minutes early to not overbake.
- Storage: keep brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. If they last more than 2 days, you can put them in the fridge.
- Serving: they taste good warm or room temp, and are even better with a scoop of ice cream.
Variations of Peppermint Brownies
You can switch up peppermint brownies to fit your taste or diet:
- Gluten-free: use a gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour.
- Vegan: replace eggs with flax eggs and pick dairy-free chocolate.
- Different chocolates: add white chocolate chips for sweetness or dark chocolate for a richer taste.
- Other flavors: try orange or almond extract instead of peppermint for a fun change.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Peppermint brownies are great with the right drink:
- Drinks: pair with peppermint tea, coffee, or hot cocoa to boost the mint flavor.
- Look: arrange brownies on a nice platter with fresh mint leaves or more crushed peppermint on top.
Healthier Alternatives
Make these brownies a bit healthier with these swaps:
- Sweeteners: use honey or maple syrup instead of white sugar.
- Fats: swap some butter for avocado or coconut oil for more good fats.
- Flours: try almond or oat flour for gluten-free and extra nutrients.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If something goes wrong, try these fixes:
- Dry brownies: probably overbaked; next time check earlier.
- Too soft: let them cool fully so they set up before cutting.
- Too sweet: add a sprinkle of sea salt or serve with a slightly bitter ice cream.
FAQs About Peppermint Brownies
Common Questions
- Can I make them ahead? Yep, bake ahead, store in an airtight container, or even freeze them.
- How to boost chocolate flavor? put in extra cocoa powder or toss in more chocolate chips.
- Best way to cut brownies? use a sharp knife and cut while they’re a bit warm for clean lines.
- How to store leftovers? keep at room temp in an airtight container, or in the fridge to last longer.
- Mint chips instead of candy? sure, mint chocolate chips are a tasty swap that adds more chocolate too.
Conclusion
Peppermint brownies blend rich chocolate with cool peppermint to make a dessert thats hard to resist. With this recipe and all the tips, you'll have a fun time baking your own peppermint brownies. Feel free to try out different versions, and dont forget to share how they turned out!
peppermint brownies
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking pan
- 1 mixing bowls
- 1 electric mixer (optional)
- 1 rubber spatula
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 1 parchment paper (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candies for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed in the batter.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before lifting them out using the parchment paper.
- Once completely cooled, top with crushed peppermint candies. Cut into 12 squares and serve.
