Frosted Christmas Brownies

Imagine sinking your teeth into a decadent, fudgy chocolate brownie topped with a smooth layer of peppermint-infused frosting and festive sprinkles. These Frosted Christmas Brownies are the ultimate holiday treat that combines rich chocolate flavor with refreshing mint in a way that captures the spirit of the season. Perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday gatherings, or as a special dessert for Christmas Eve, these brownies will quickly become your new favorite tradition. You’ll learn how to create these show-stopping treats from scratch, with tips to achieve the perfect brownie texture and festive decoration ideas.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Frosted Christmas Brownies are guaranteed to become your holiday baking staple for several delicious reasons. The contrast between the dense, fudgy brownie base and the light, creamy peppermint frosting creates a texture experience that’s absolutely irresistible. The deep chocolate flavor pairs perfectly with the cool mint topping, creating that classic holiday flavor combination that everyone craves during the festive season.

What makes these brownies truly special is their versatility. They’re fancy enough for holiday parties but simple enough to make on a cozy night in. The recipe uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand, with just a few special additions to make them holiday-worthy. Even novice bakers will find this recipe approachable, as the brownies are forgiving and the frosting comes together in minutes.

These treats also make beautiful homemade gifts. Wrapped in cellophane with a festive ribbon, your Frosted Christmas Brownies will show friends and family just how much you care through the gift of homemade baking.

Ingredients

For the Brownie Base:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
• 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (85g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (175g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Peppermint Frosting:

• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Red food coloring (optional)
• Christmas sprinkles or crushed candy canes for garnish

The quality of your cocoa powder matters significantly in these Frosted Christmas Brownies – use Dutch-processed cocoa for a deeper, richer chocolate flavor. The peppermint extract should be pure rather than imitation for the most authentic mint flavor that makes these holiday brownies truly special.

Pro Tips

Achieve Perfect Brownie Texture
The key to fudgy Frosted Christmas Brownies is in the mixing. Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined – overmixing will incorporate too much air and result in cakey rather than fudgy brownies. For that coveted crackly top, make sure to beat the eggs and sugar thoroughly until the mixture becomes slightly lighter in color. This creates a meringue-like effect that forms that shiny, crackly surface we all love in brownies.

Temperature Matters
Always let your brownies cool completely before adding the frosting. Even slight warmth will cause the frosting to melt and slide off. For clean cuts, refrigerate the frosted brownies for 30 minutes before slicing with a warm knife (run under hot water and wipe dry between cuts). This gives you picture-perfect squares that showcase the beautiful layers of your Frosted Christmas Brownies.

Frosting Finesse
For the smoothest peppermint frosting, start with truly softened butter (not melted). Beat it alone until creamy before gradually adding powdered sugar. If you want a festive look, divide the frosting and tint half with red food coloring, then swirl the white and red together for a candy cane effect that elevates your Christmas brownies to showstopper status.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides to easily lift the brownies out later. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Melt Chocolate and Butter
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and add the granulated sugar, stirring until combined. Let the mixture cool slightly – you don’t want to scramble your eggs in the next step!

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
Transfer the butter-sugar mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should become slightly lighter in color and a bit fluffy.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula. Mix just until combined – remember, overmixing is the enemy of fudgy brownies! Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

Step 5: Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly to the corners. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). The edges should be set but the center can still be slightly soft – they will continue to cook as they cool.

Step 6: Cool Completely
Allow your Frosted Christmas Brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This may take 1-2 hours, but patience is essential for the next step. For faster cooling, you can place them in the refrigerator after they’ve cooled at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Step 7: Prepare the Peppermint Frosting
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with small amounts of heavy cream. Mix in the peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. If the frosting is too thick, add more cream; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.

Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Once the brownies are completely cool, lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Spread the peppermint frosting evenly over the top. Immediately sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles or crushed candy canes before the frosting sets.

Step 9: Slice and Serve
For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate the Frosted Christmas Brownies for 30 minutes before slicing. Cut into squares and serve at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Variations

Chocolate Mint Frosted Brownies
Transform your Frosted Christmas Brownies into a double-chocolate mint delight by adding 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to your frosting mixture. The chocolate-on-chocolate effect creates an even richer dessert experience, while the peppermint still shines through. Top with Andes mint pieces instead of sprinkles for an extra minty chocolate touch.

White Chocolate Christmas Brownies
For a sweeter, more luxurious version, add 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips to your brownie batter and replace half the semi-sweet chocolate chips. For the frosting, melt 4 ounces of white chocolate and let it cool slightly before beating it into your frosting base. The white chocolate adds a creamy sweetness that pairs beautifully with the peppermint for a truly decadent holiday treat.

Gluten-Free Holiday Brownies
These festive treats can easily accommodate dietary restrictions. Simply substitute your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The dense, fudgy nature of Frosted Christmas Brownies makes them particularly forgiving for gluten-free adaptations, and your guests won’t even notice the difference.

Storage and Serving

Frosted Christmas Brownies stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week – the chilled brownies actually develop an even more intense flavor profile as they sit. If you need to store them for more than a week, these treats freeze beautifully. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature for serving.

For an extra-special dessert presentation, serve each brownie square with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream and a light dusting of cocoa powder. The contrast between the cold ice cream and rich brownie creates a delightful temperature and texture experience.

These brownies also make a perfect addition to a holiday dessert board. Pair them with Christmas cookies, chocolate truffles, and fresh berries for a festive spread that will impress your guests. For a particularly indulgent treat, serve with hot chocolate topped with whipped cream for the ultimate Christmas dessert experience.

FAQs

Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
Absolutely! Frosted Christmas Brownies actually improve in flavor after a day or two. You can make the brownies up to three days in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature, or freeze them for up to three months.

Why did my brownies turn out cakey instead of fudgy?
The most common cause is overmixing the batter or using too much flour. For fudgy brownies, mix just until ingredients are combined and be sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off.

Can I use mint extract instead of peppermint extract?
Yes, but keep in mind that mint extract is typically a blend of peppermint and spearmint, giving a slightly different flavor profile. If using mint extract, start with a little less as it can sometimes taste stronger.

How do I know when my brownies are done baking?
For fudgy Frosted Christmas Brownies, a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs attached, not completely clean and not with wet batter. The edges will look set but the center may still look slightly underdone.

Can I add other mix-ins to the brownie batter?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts, crushed peppermint candies, or even white chocolate chips make wonderful additions. Add about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of any mix-in to customize your Christmas brownies.

Conclusion

These Frosted Christmas Brownies are comfort food at its finest — a perfect balance of rich chocolate decadence and refreshing peppermint that captures the essence of holiday baking. It’s the kind of dessert that brings people together around the table, creating moments of joy and indulgence during the busiest season of the year. Whether you’re serving them at a festive gathering, packaging them as heartfelt gifts, or enjoying them with your family by the fire, these brownies deliver the taste of Christmas in every bite. From the fudgy chocolate base to the creamy peppermint frosting and festive sprinkles, each element comes together to create a treat that’s sure to become a treasured part of your holiday traditions.

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