Peppermint Brownies are more than just a dessert; they are a festive celebration of flavors and textures, perfect for making any occasion special. This recipe guides you through creating a decadent treat featuring a rich, fudgy brownie base, crowned with a smooth, minty peppermint frosting and a luxurious chocolate ganache. Get ready to bake a batch of pure joy that will enchant your taste buds and impress your guests!

While these extraordinary Peppermint Brownies are a holiday favorite, don’t forget to explore other delightful options like these classic Mint Brownies for a year-round treat. But for now, let’s dive into the magic of peppermint and chocolate!

Decadent Peppermint Brownies: Your Go-To Holiday Recipe

Imagine a dessert that encapsulates the spirit of the holidays in every bite. Our Peppermint Brownies do just that! This recipe elevates the classic brownie to new heights, transforming it into a luxurious three-layer masterpiece. It begins with an incredibly moist and intensely chocolatey brownie base, made extra fudgy and delightful with the unexpected addition of finely crushed Oreo cookies. This foundation provides a textural depth and an extra burst of chocolate flavor that truly sets these brownies apart from any ordinary batch.

Building upon this rich base is a generous layer of luscious peppermint cream cheese frosting. Its cool, minty flavor perfectly complements the deep chocolate, creating a refreshing contrast that is both invigorating and comforting. The cream cheese adds a wonderful tang and smoothness, ensuring the frosting is light yet decadent. Finally, the entire creation is enveloped in a silky-smooth chocolate ganache, providing a glossy finish and an additional layer of rich chocolate that ties all the components together beautifully. These brownies are not just a treat; they’re an experience, designed to bring smiles and festive cheer to any gathering, making them the ultimate holiday dessert.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Peppermint Brownies

Crafting these extraordinary Peppermint Brownies requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why, along with some helpful tips for selection:

• Brownie Mix: Choose your favorite high-quality brownie mix, ideally one that yields between 17-19 oz. While a homemade brownie base is fantastic, a good quality mix provides convenience without sacrificing flavor, especially when enhanced with our secret ingredient. Look for brands known for their rich, fudgy results, like Betty Crocker’s Supreme Triple Chunk for an extra indulgent experience.
• Oreos: The secret weapon for an ultra-fudgy and uniquely textured brownie. Finely chopping the Oreos ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the batter, adding delightful pockets of crunch and extra chocolatey goodness. Remember to leave the creme filling inside for maximum impact on both flavor and texture.
• Cream Cheese and Butter (for Frosting): These dairy components are the foundation of your creamy peppermint frosting. It’s absolutely vital to have both at room temperature before you begin mixing. This ensures a smooth, lump-free frosting with a perfectly spreadable consistency, preventing a curdled or greasy texture that can result from cold ingredients.
• Peppermint Extract: This is where the signature minty magic happens! Be very specific: use pure peppermint extract, NOT mint extract. Mint extract often contains spearmint, which can give your brownies an unexpected toothpaste-like or savory flavor. Peppermint extract delivers that classic, crisp, and refreshing holiday mint flavor you’re aiming for.
• Powdered Sugar: Essential for sweetening the frosting and giving it that light, airy, yet stable texture. Sifting your powdered sugar before adding it to the cream cheese and butter mixture can help prevent lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth and professional-looking finish to your frosting.
• Chocolate Chips (for Ganache): The star of your glossy topping. High-quality chocolate chips, whether milk or semi-sweet, will melt smoothly and set into a beautiful, rich ganache. The better the chocolate, the richer the flavor and the more decadent your topping will be. Semi-sweet chips offer a deeper chocolate profile, while milk chocolate provides a sweeter, creamier taste.
• Heavy Cream: This is what transforms your chocolate chips into a luxurious, pourable ganache. When heated and poured over the chocolate, it creates a luscious emulsion, adding incredible richness and a silky texture to the topping. Full-fat heavy cream is crucial for achieving the best consistency and decadent mouthfeel.
• Butter (for Ganache): A small amount of unsalted butter in the ganache contributes significantly to its incredible shine and velvety texture. It makes the ganache even more decadent and helps it set with a beautiful, smooth, and professional-looking finish.

Crafting Your Masterpiece: Step-by-Step Peppermint Brownies

Creating these delightful Peppermint Brownies is a straightforward process, but paying close attention to each step ensures a truly spectacular and perfectly layered result. Follow these detailed instructions to achieve baking perfection and impress everyone with your holiday brownies:

1. Prepare and Bake the Brownie Base: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing a generous overhang on all sides. This “sling” will make it incredibly easy to remove the cooled brownies from the pan without any sticking. Prepare your chosen brownie mix according to the package directions, adding any required ingredients like eggs, oil, or water. *Important*: If your brownie mix comes with a separate fudge packet, set it aside for now – we’ll use it later for an extra chocolate boost, or you can omit it if you prefer the ganache to be the sole chocolate topping. Next, take 6 Oreo cookies and finely chop them. You can achieve this by hand with a knife or by pulsing them briefly in a food processor for a more consistent crumb. Fold these finely chopped Oreos into your brownie batter. Mix just until combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough, rather than fudgy, brownies. Pour the thick, rich batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake according to the package instructions, keeping a close eye on them to prevent overbaking. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. As soon as they are baked, remove the brownies from the oven. If you saved the fudge packet, spread it evenly over the warm brownies now. Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for 3-4 minutes, then cover them tightly with plastic wrap and transfer them to the refrigerator (or freezer for a quicker chill) while you prepare the frosting. It’s crucial for the brownie base to be completely cool and firm before frosting to prevent melting.
2. Whip Up the Creamy Peppermint Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature full-fat cream cheese and unsalted butter. Beat them together with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is beautifully smooth, light, and creamy, with absolutely no lumps. This usually takes 2-3 minutes. Next, add the pure peppermint extract. Start with 1 teaspoon and taste test – you can always add up to 1½ teaspoons if you desire a stronger peppermint flavor (remember, extract strength varies by brand, so taste as you go for your perfect mintiness!). Stir in the 1/16 teaspoon of salt to balance the sweetness. If you wish to add a festive touch, incorporate a few drops of pink or red food coloring until you reach your desired hue. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until incorporated, then increasing to medium-high until the frosting is smooth and wonderfully fluffy. Don’t be discouraged if it seems a bit dry or crumbly at first; just keep beating, and it will come together into a wonderfully creamy consistency. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed to ensure everything is well combined. Once the brownies are completely cooled and firm, spread this luscious peppermint frosting evenly over the top using an offset spatula. Return the frosted brownies to the fridge while you prepare the ganache, allowing the frosting to firm up and set.
3. Craft the Silky Chocolate Ganache: Place your chocolate chips (whether milk or semi-sweet) into a medium-sized heatproof bowl. In a separate glass measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl, combine the heavy cream and the tablespoon of unsalted butter. Microwave this mixture until it’s steaming hot but not boiling, typically about 1 to 1½ minutes, depending on your microwave’s power. Immediately pour the hot cream mixture evenly over the chocolate chips. Resist the urge to stir at this point! Cover the bowl with a plate or plastic wrap to trap the heat and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes. This allows the hot cream to melt the chocolate thoroughly and evenly. After 5 minutes, uncover the bowl and gently stir the mixture with a whisk or spatula, starting from the center and slowly working your way out, until the chocolate is fully melted and completely smooth, creating a gorgeous, glossy ganache. If there are still a few stubborn lumps, you can microwave the mixture for additional 15-second intervals, stirring well after each, until it’s perfectly smooth. Let the ganache stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to thicken slightly; it should be pourable but not too runny. This ensures it forms a beautiful layer over the frosting without melting it.
4. Assemble and Chill for Perfection: Once the ganache has thickened slightly to a pourable consistency, whisk it gently one last time to ensure it’s perfectly smooth and free of any lumps. Carefully pour the ganache over the chilled peppermint frosting layer, spreading it evenly with an offset spatula to create a beautiful, uniform chocolate topping. To maintain the beautiful glossy finish of your ganache, let the brownies stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before transferring them to the refrigerator. This gradual cooling helps prevent the ganache from dulling or cracking. Afterward, transfer the brownies to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2-3 hours, or until the chocolate topping is completely firm and set. This chilling time is absolutely essential for the layers to set properly and for the brownies to be easy to cut cleanly. If desired, sprinkle some crushed peppermint candies or candy canes over the top before the ganache fully sets for an added festive touch and satisfying crunch.
5. Slice and Serve with Precision: Once thoroughly chilled and firm, remove the brownies from the pan using the parchment paper overhang as handles; this will lift them out easily. Place the entire brownie slab on a clean cutting board. To achieve perfectly clean, sharp cuts that look professional, the trick is to use a very sharp, thin-bladed knife. Run your knife under very hot water for a few seconds, then wipe it completely dry. Make swift, decisive cuts through the brownies. For each subsequent cut, repeat the hot water and drying process. This prevents the chocolate ganache from cracking and dragging, ensuring beautiful, neat squares every time. Serve these delightful Peppermint Brownies chilled or at room temperature, and watch them disappear as your guests savor every incredible layer!

Tips for Success & Variations on Your Peppermint Brownies

To ensure your Peppermint Brownies turn out absolutely perfect every time, and to inspire you to customize them to your liking, here are some additional tips and creative variations that will elevate your baking game:

Achieving the Perfect Fudgy Brownie Base

• Don’t Overbake! This is the golden rule for fudgy brownies. As soon as a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter), they are done. Even a few extra minutes in the oven can transform fudgy into cakey, which is not what we want for these decadent treats.
• Ingredient Temperature: While a brownie mix is forgiving, ensuring your butter and cream cheese for the frosting are at room temperature is absolutely critical for a smooth, lump-free, and perfectly textured result.
• Pan Size Matters: A 9×9-inch pan is explicitly recommended for achieving the ideal thickness of these layered brownies. An 8×8-inch pan will work, but it will result in significantly thicker brownies requiring a longer baking time and potentially a slightly denser texture. Adjust baking time accordingly.

Perfecting Your Peppermint Frosting

• Peppermint vs. Mint: As noted earlier, always use pure peppermint extract for that classic, sharp, and festive holiday flavor. Mint extract (often based on spearmint) yields a different, less desirable taste that can be off-putting.
• Adjusting Peppermint Strength: Extract strength can vary widely between brands. Start with 1 teaspoon of extract and taste the frosting. You can gradually add up to 1½ teaspoons to achieve your preferred level of mintiness without it becoming overpowering.
• Sift Your Powdered Sugar: For the smoothest, most luxurious, and lump-free frosting, take the extra step to sift your powdered sugar before adding it to the wet ingredients. This simple step makes a big difference in texture.

Mastering the Silky Chocolate Ganache

• Quality Chocolate: The better the quality of your chocolate chips, the better your ganache will taste and the smoother its texture will be. Investing in good quality milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips ensures a superior flavor and a more professional finish.
• Patience is Key: Don’t rush the ganache-making process. Allowing the hot cream to sit over the chocolate chips for 5 minutes without stirring permits the chocolate to melt completely and evenly before you whisk it. This creates a stable emulsion.
• Thickening Time: It’s crucial to allow the ganache to cool and thicken slightly before pouring it over the peppermint frosting. If it’s too hot or too thin, it might melt into the frosting, creating a messy rather than layered effect.

Creative Variations to Try

• Chocolate Drizzle: For an elegant touch, instead of a full ganache layer, you could drizzle melted white chocolate or dark chocolate in a decorative pattern over the set peppermint frosting.
• Different Crust: For an even more intense Oreo flavor, consider creating a simple Oreo crust. Crush additional Oreos and mix them with melted butter, then press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan before adding the brownie batter.
• Espresso Boost: To deepen the chocolate flavor of your brownie base without adding a coffee taste, mix in a teaspoon of instant espresso powder with your dry brownie mix ingredients.
• Candy Cane Crunch in Frosting: For added texture and an explosion of festive appeal, gently fold some finely crushed candy canes directly into the peppermint frosting just before spreading it onto the brownies.
• Nutty Twist: For those who enjoy nuts, a handful of finely chopped pecans or walnuts can be added to the brownie batter, offering a delightful contrast to the soft brownie.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Your Peppermint Brownies

Planning ahead or managing leftovers is easy with these simple storage tips, ensuring your Peppermint Brownies remain delicious and fresh for days:

• Room Temperature Storage: Store leftover Peppermint Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This helps to keep the brownie base moist and the ganache from becoming overly hard, maintaining a pleasant texture.
• Refrigerated Storage: For slightly longer freshness, or if your kitchen is particularly warm, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Be aware that the ganache and frosting layers will firm up considerably when chilled, which some people prefer for a cleaner bite. Allow them to sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before serving for a softer, more decadent texture.
• Freezing Unfrosted Brownies: If you want to prepare the brownie base ahead of time, you can easily freeze the unfrosted brownies. Once completely cooled, wrap the entire brownie slab tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before proceeding to frost and top with ganache.
• Freezing Frosted Brownies: For best results in terms of texture, it’s generally recommended to freeze the unfrosted brownies. However, if you must freeze them frosted, place the cut brownies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Once solid, transfer them to an airtight, freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Thaw in the refrigerator. The texture of the frosting and ganache may change slightly upon thawing, but they will still be deliciously enjoyable.

More Festive Peppermint Treats to Explore

If you’ve fallen in love with the refreshing taste of peppermint and are looking for more ways to incorporate this delightful flavor into your baking, here are more wonderful recipes to add to your repertoire. These are perfect for the holiday season, special occasions, or any time you crave a minty sweet treat:

• No-Bake Peppermint Cheesecake: A wonderfully cool and creamy dessert with a delightful Oreo crust, offering a lighter, yet equally indulgent, peppermint experience.
• Peppermint Snowball Cookies: A festive and minty twist on the classic Mexican wedding cookies, these melt-in-your-mouth delights offer a subtle peppermint kick that’s irresistible.
• Mason Jar Peppermint Cookies: An excellent and thoughtful idea for homemade gifts, these cookies come with a free printable, making gifting easy and charming.
• Peppermint Sugar Cookies: Soft, chewy sugar cookies topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, infused with the delightful and invigorating flavor of peppermint.
• Peppermint Bark Brownie Cookies: A reader favorite, this recipe masterfully combines the best of fudgy brownies with the crisp, minty goodness of peppermint bark, all in a convenient and shareable cookie form.

The Ultimate Peppermint Brownie Recipe Card

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Peppermint Brownies

By Chelsea Lords

Peppermint Brownies are a breeze to make! With a creamy peppermint frosting and rich chocolate topping, you’ll love this holiday treat!

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Chilling Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 14 bars

Equipment

• 9 x 9-inch baking pan (8 x 8-inch works, but 9 x 9 is preferable)
• Parchment paper

Ingredients

Brownies

• 1 (17.8-ounce) package brownie mix and ingredients listed on package; I recommend Betty Crocker’s Supreme Triple Chunk
• 6 Oreos finely chopped, leave the creme filling inside

Frosting

• 3 ounces cream cheese (full-fat, at room temperature)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (not mint extract)
• 1/16 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Pink or red food coloring (optional)

Ganache

• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup heavy cream (full-fat)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 to 3 tablespoons crushed peppermint candy (optional, for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. Prepare brownie mix as directed, *without* adding any included fudge packet. Finely chop 6 Oreos and fold into the brownie batter. Pour into the prepared pan and bake according to package instructions. Do not overbake. Remove from oven, and if using a fudge packet, spread it over the warm brownies. Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes, then cover tightly and place in the fridge (or freezer) to cool completely.
2. In a large bowl, beat room-temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (adjust to taste, up to 1½ tsp), salt, optional food coloring, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth. Scrape sides as needed. Spread frosting evenly over the completely cooled brownies. Return brownies to the fridge.
3. Measure chocolate chips into a heatproof bowl. In a glass measuring cup, microwave heavy cream and butter until steaming hot (approx. 1-1½ minutes). Pour hot cream mixture over chocolate chips. Do not stir. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until chocolate is fully melted and smooth. If needed, microwave for 15 seconds to further melt. Let ganache stand 10-15 minutes to thicken.
4. Whisk ganache again and pour and smooth over the frosting layer. Let brownies stand at room temperature for 30 minutes (to maintain gloss). Refrigerate for 2–3 hours or until the chocolate topping is firm. If desired, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top before chilling.
5. Using the parchment overhang, remove brownies from the pan. Cut into squares with a sharp knife. For clean cuts, run your knife under very hot water, dry, then slice in quick, clean strokes, repeating for each cut.

Recipe Notes

Note 1 on Peppermint Extract: The strength of extract varies. I use McCormick® peppermint extract, and 1 teaspoon is usually perfect. Taste your frosting and decide if you’d like to add more, up to 1½ teaspoons.

Storage: Store leftover Peppermint Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted brownies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Frost after thawing.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 16 bars | Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14.9g | Cholesterol: 20.6mg | Sodium: 107mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

We hope you enjoy baking and sharing these incredible Peppermint Brownies. Their festive layers of fudgy chocolate, creamy peppermint, and glossy ganache are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions. Happy baking!