Frosted Peppermint Brownies

by Gayle on Dec 5, 2016 (updated Aug 1, 2025) 52 comments »

These Frosted Peppermint Brownies are thick, fudgy, and full of flavor. The classic chocolate brownie recipe gets a Christmas twist with a sweet and crunchy peppermint frosting. Easy to make from scratch, this homemade treat will be the hit of the holiday season!

You might also enjoy trying the Brownie Mix Cookies, Brownie Bites with Nutella Frosting and Easy Peppermint Truffles

chocolate brownie with peppermint frosting

Before we dive into the peppermint brownie recipe, I have to share a little holiday tradition. If you’ve been around here for a while, you know my dog Callie and I are inseparable. She’s definitely spoiled and proudly so!

Each year, the hubster and I take a festive photo with Santa a tradition since we started dating (this will be our 7th!). Now that Callie’s part of the family, we’ve started including her too. This year, we snapped our photo at the obedience school where she takes lessons they had Santa on-site for holiday portraits!

Thanks for sticking with me now, let’s talk brownies.

I don’t know about you, but I’m firmly on Team Fudgy Brownie. Thick, chewy, rich just the way I like them. And for the holidays, I love adding peppermint. These brownies are topped with a super easy peppermint frosting the same one I used on my vanilla cupcakes and honestly, I’ll be making it year-round. It’s just that good.

What Makes These Peppermint Brownies So Fantastic

They’re rich and decadent, with three kinds of chocolate!
These Christmas brownies have a thick layer of peppermint frosting to sink your teeth into!
They’re simple to make from scratch. The directions are straightforward and you’ll get delicious, fudgy brownies in less than an hour!

Ingredients in Peppermint Brownies

I love how simple the ingredients for this Christmas brownie recipe are. The only seasonal ingredients you’ll need are candy canes and peppermint extract!

All-purpose flour
Salt
Baking soda
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Unsalted butter
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Dark chocolate wafers
Granulated sugar
Eggs
Vanilla
Powdered sugar
Milk
Peppermint extract
Candy canes

How to Make Peppermint Brownies

Grab those ingredients and whip up these easy and oh-so festive Christmas brownies today. I guarantee you’ll love them!

Here’s a quick overview of how the brownies with peppermint frosting are made:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and cocoa powder. Set aside.
In another medium bowl, combine the butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips and dark chocolate wafers. Melt the ingredients in the microwave. Set aside to cool slightly.
In another bowl, beat the sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla extract. Stir in the melted chocolate. Slowly stir in flour mixture until just incorporated.
Spoon the batter into a parchment-lined 8×8-inch pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into middle comes out with just a few crumbs, and edges are set.
Once they’ve cooled completely, lift the brownies out of the pan. Spoon the peppermint frosting on top of the brownies and add the crushed candy canes, if desired.

Recipe Variations to Try

Add crushed spearmint candies on top to get a red and green theme and double up on the mint!
Drizzle chocolate sauce on top to make these peppermint brownies extra decadent!
Substitute 1/2 cup of flour for whole wheat flour to add a little extra bit of fiber to these brownies.

Can This Recipe Be Doubled?

Yes! Simply double the ingredients list and bake the brownies in a 9×13-inch pan. You may need to adjust the bake time slightly, so use your best judgement.

How to Store the Brownies

Since the brownies are frosted, you’ll need to store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I personally don’t love eating cold brownies though, so I always let them rest on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes before enjoying the leftovers.

Tips for the Best Christmas Brownies

I find it helpful to first grease the baking pan with non-stick cooking spray, and then lining it with parchment paper before adding the batter. This helps ensure that you have easy removal of the brownies (and not a sticky mess when cutting them).
Be sure to use an 8×8-inch baking pan (if you have one). This results in that denser, chewier brownie, whereas a 9×13-inch inch baking pan will result in a flatter brownie.
If you like gooey brownies, be sure to bake them at at least 375F. The higher, the better for the gooey middle and crisp edges. Any lower in temperature, and it will result in a more even finish.