Christmas Peppermint Brownies: A Festive Chocolate Holiday Treat
There’s something truly magical about the holiday season — twinkling lights, the aroma of fresh pine, mugs of hot cocoa, and of course, festive desserts that bring everyone together. Among the countless holiday sweets, Christmas Peppermint Brownies stand out as a timeless favorite. Imagine the rich, fudgy texture of decadent chocolate brownies, topped with a cool, refreshing layer of crushed peppermint candy. It’s the ultimate balance of indulgence and holiday cheer in every bite.
These brownies aren’t just another holiday dessert — they’re the kind of treat that steals the spotlight at cookie exchanges, office parties, or cozy family gatherings. The blend of chocolate and peppermint feels nostalgic yet elevated, capturing everything we love about Christmas flavors. Best of all, they’re easy to make, require simple pantry ingredients, and can be decorated as extravagantly (or as minimally) as you like.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to make the perfect peppermint brownies, tips for achieving that shiny brownie top, variations you can try, storage advice, and serving ideas to wow your guests. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just want a festive treat for your family, these brownies are about to become your new December tradition.
🎅 Why You’ll Love These Peppermint Brownies
- Festive flavor combo – Rich chocolate meets refreshing peppermint.
- Crowd-pleaser – Perfect for parties, gifting, or holiday trays.
- Easy recipe – Minimal prep with big results.
- Customizable – Add frosting, white chocolate drizzle, or even a peppermint bark topping.
- Make-ahead friendly – Tastes even better the next day.
📝 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the lineup of simple ingredients that transform into fudgy, peppermint perfection:
- Butter – Unsalted is best for controlling salt levels.
- Chocolate – Use high-quality dark or semi-sweet for richness.
- Sugar – Granulated for sweetness.
- Eggs – For structure and fudginess.
- Flour – All-purpose for a perfect texture.
- Cocoa powder – Enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Vanilla extract – Warmth and balance.
- Peppermint extract – Cool, refreshing flavor.
- Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies – For that festive crunch on top.
- Optional toppings – White chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, or extra peppermint bark.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven – Set it to 350°F (175°C). Line a square 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Melt chocolate and butter – In a saucepan over low heat or a heatproof bowl in the microwave, melt together, stirring until smooth.
- Whisk in sugar & eggs – Add sugar to the warm chocolate mixture, then whisk in eggs one at a time until glossy.
- Add flavoring – Stir in vanilla and peppermint extract.
- Mix dry ingredients – Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt together. Fold gently into the wet mixture until just combined.
- Bake – Pour batter into the lined pan and bake for 25–30 minutes, until set but fudgy in the center.
- Cool & top – Once cooled slightly, sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy. For extra festivity, drizzle melted white chocolate on top.
- Slice & serve – Cut into neat squares (wiping the knife between cuts for clean edges).
Serving Ideas
- Arrange on a holiday dessert platter with sugar cookies and gingerbread men.
- Wrap individual brownie squares in festive cellophane for edible gifts.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and hot fudge.
- Pair with a mug of peppermint hot chocolate for the ultimate holiday indulgence.
Christmas Peppermint Brownies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk melted butter with sugars in a large bowl until combined.
- Beat in eggs, then vanilla and peppermint extract.
- Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Stir until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Spread batter into pan and bake for 30–35 minutes.
- Top with crushed candy canes while warm.
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate.
- Cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Room temp – Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Fridge – Lasts up to 1 week (great for making ahead).
- Freezer – Wrap individually and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before serving.
Variations to Try
- Frosted version – Add a cream cheese or chocolate frosting before topping with peppermint.
- Gluten-free – Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Blondie twist – Swap cocoa for extra vanilla and make peppermint blondies.
- Peppermint bark brownies – Top with a layer of white chocolate and more crushed candy canes.
❓ FAQs
Q: How do I get the shiny top on brownies?
A: Beat the eggs and sugar into the chocolate mixture until glossy — that’s what creates the crackly top.
Q: Can I use peppermint oil instead of extract?
A: Yes, but use sparingly — it’s much stronger than extract.
Q: My brownies are dry, what went wrong?
A: They were likely overbaked. Always remove when the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
🎄 Final Thoughts
Christmas Peppermint Brownies are more than just a dessert — they’re a holiday tradition waiting to happen. Fudgy, chocolatey, and perfectly kissed with peppermint, they embody everything we love about the season: warmth, nostalgia, and a little sparkle of magic. Whether you serve them at a party, gift them to neighbors, or save them for a cozy family night by the fire, they’ll bring joy to every bite.
So this holiday season, skip the store-bought treats and bake up a batch of these peppermint brownies. They’re simple, festive, and absolutely irresistible — the kind of dessert people remember long after the last crumb is gone.
