Peppermint Brownies
A festive and delicious treat, perfect for the holidays, combining rich chocolate brownies with a refreshing peppermint frosting.
Equipment
- 9x9-inch Baking Dish
- Parchment Paper
- Wire Rack
- Electric Hand Mixer
- Spatula or Wooden spoon
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
Brownies
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup Dutch cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract for brownies
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract for frosting
- 3 tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Lightly butter a 9x9-inch baking dish. For easy lifting later, you can line it with parchment paper and butter the paper too!
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set this aside for now.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk the melted butter with the granulated sugar until well combined. Crack in the eggs, then add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract and the vanilla extract. Whisk this mixture for about one minute until it's smooth and slightly airy.
- Gently add the dry flour mixture to the wet butter mixture. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. Don't overmix!
- Pour the brownie batter into your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until the center looks set. For that perfect fudgy texture, it's okay if it's slightly under-baked.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. This step is crucial before frosting!
- While the brownies cool, grab a large bowl and an electric hand mixer. Cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until they are wonderfully blended. Gradually add the powdered sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Whip the frosting for several minutes until it's light and fluffy.
- Once the brownies are completely cool, spread the fluffy peppermint frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the crushed peppermint candy canes for a festive crunch. Cut into squares and enjoy your delightful homemade treat!
Notes
Nutrition per serving: Calories: 338, Total Carbs: 43g, Net Carbs: 41g, Fats: 19g, Protein: 4g.
