• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Food Fun & Faraway Places
  • Start Here
  • Food & Drink
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Cocktails
    • Entrees
    • Dessert
    • Weight Watchers Recipes
  • Destinations
    • Florida
    • North America
    • South America
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • Asia
    • Cruises
  • Work with Us!
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • Food
    • Breakfast
    • Entrees
    • Appetizers
    • Dessert
  • Fun
  • Faraway Places
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • Food
      • Breakfast
      • Entrees
      • Appetizers
      • Dessert
    • Fun
    • Faraway Places
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Christmas Peppermint Brownies

    Published: Oct 19, 2022 by Kelly Stilwell · This post may contain affiliate links Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Brownies with peppermint on white plate for Pinterest.

    The combination of chocolate and peppermint found in these Christmas peppermint brownies brings on an instant holiday spirit vibe.

    Brownies with peppermint on white plate.

    These delicious and festive peppermint brownies are a heavenly way to combine those amazing flavors as we did here with double chocolate peppermint crunch cookies and eggnog custard with peppermint.

    The fudgy brownies contrast with the crunch of crushed peppermint candies for a delightful texture. These work great to give away as a perfect holiday treat, but you’ll want to save some for yourself, too.

    Jump to:
    • 🖤 Why We Love this Recipe
    • 🛒 What Goes Into This Recipe
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 How to Make Peppermint Brownies
    • 📖 Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • 💭 Top Tips
    • More Delicious Christmas Desserts
    • Recipe

    🖤 Why We Love this Recipe

    Who doesn’t love brownies? They’re gooey, they’re rich and decadent, and they just melt in your mouth. 

    Around the holidays, peppermint is a must-have flavor to get that holiday season spirit. But while there’s not too much of a good thing with chocolate, peppermint can be overwhelming.

    This peppermint brownie recipe contains the perfect balance between chocolate and peppermint. The perfect Christmas brownie!

    Like most brownie recipes, they are so easy to make. Toss the ingredients together, bake, and they’re done. It’s a wonderful recipe to make with the kids or when you want a delicious treat but don’t have a ton of time.

    🛒 What Goes Into This Recipe

    Ingredients to make peppermint brownies.

    Key Ingredients

    1. Dark cocoa powder. The richness of dark cocoa powder gives these brownies a depth of flavor that makes them simply scrumptious.  

    2. Starlight mints. These classic red and white mints have been popular for decades as the classic peppermint candy. Their refreshing minty taste and eye-catching red and white pattern is reminiscent of candy canes.

    3. Dark chocolate chips. Adding some dark chocolate chips gives a little bit of melted chocolate texture and added chocolate flavor to this easy recipe.

    See recipe card for quantities and full directions. 

    👩🏻‍🍳 How to Make Peppermint Brownies

    Spray a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set the prepared pan aside.

    Preheat the oven to 350 F.

    Mix the flour, dark cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

    In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.

    Sugar and butter blended in a white bowl with whisk.

    Blend in the eggs and the vanilla and peppermint extracts.

    Sugar, butter, eggs in a white bowl on red striped cloth.

     Stir in the flour mixture, blending until combined.

    Spices and cocoa powder added to egg mixture in white bowl with whisk.

    Carefully fold the dark chocolate chips in.

    Brownie batter with chocolate chips in white bowl on red and white towel.

    Pour the brownie batter mixture in the greased baking pan. Cook for 20-30 minutes until the edges are starting to get brown.

    Brownie batter in pan.

    A little less time, like 20-25 minutes, and you'll have a chewy brownie with moist crumbs. 30 minutes, or maybe 35, and you'll get those crackly tops.

    Try to keep an eye on them without opening the oven door and keep in mind they will be going back in for 5 minutes.

    While the brownies are baking, use a food chopper or food processor to crush the peppermint candy. 

    Bring the brownies out of the oven when cooked and sprinkle the peppermint candy on top of the brownies.

    Return to the oven and cook for 5 more minutes. 

    Brownies baked completely.

    Cool completely on a wire rack, and then slice on a cutting board when at room temperature. I often use a plastic knife for cutting as the brownies don't stick, making slicing easier.

    Brownies with candies on a white plate on wood table with striped dish towel.

    📖 Variations

    Gluten-free peppermint brownies. These brownies can be made gluten-free by using a flour like oat flour or coconut flour. The only other item to check is the cocoa powder. Pure cocoa powder is gluten free, but you’ll want to make sure the kind you have doesn’t have any added fillers.

    Peppermint buttercream frosting. Add even more peppermint sweetness to your brownies. Leave off the crushed peppermint candies while baking. When the brownies are cool, frost with a peppermint buttercream made with ¼ cup of butter, ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract, 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar, and enough milk to blend it all together. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top for decoration.

    Peppermint marshmallow brownies. Before baking, stir in 2 cups of miniature marshmallows. As the brownies bake, they’ll get even more gooey. The marshmallows also add a gentle vanilla flavor, and sometimes during the year, you can find peppermint mini marshmallows to use!

    Crunchy butterscotch brownies. Use butterscotch candies instead of the peppermint candies, and switch the peppermint extract for butter rum flavor extract. We made these Butterfinger Brownies a few years ago and they were heavenly!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you keep brownies soft and chewy?

    The best way to keep brownies soft and chewy is to make sure they are not exposed to air. Once you have cooled brownies, wrap them in foil or plastic wrap, put them in an airtight container, or store them in a zip-top freezer bag with as much air pushed out as possible.

    How long can you keep brownies? 

    For best results, brownies should be eaten within 3 to 4 days if stored at room temperature or up to 5 to 7 days if stored in the fridge.

    How do you crush peppermint candies?

    If you have a food chopper, blender, or food processor, that makes easy work of chopping the peppermint candies. To do it by hand, place the candies in a sturdy plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin or meat hammer.

    Brownies with peppermint candies on white plate on wood table.

    💭 Top Tips

    Don’t overmix. Overmixing brownie mix can cause it to become tough. Only mix until ingredients are blended.

    Use candy canes. If it is candy cane season, they can be used for peppermint flavor instead of the Starlight mints. Be sure to put a few candy canes on the tray when serving for a festive look!

    Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors, too. Chocolate mint candy canes and cherry candy canes can provide a neat twist on this dessert.

    Try crumbled Oreo cookies. Looking for something different from crushed candy canes? Try crumbled mint Oreo cookies. It gives the flavor of chocolate and peppermint but with a different look and texture. 

    Let us know what you thought of these easy peppermint brownies! If you enjoyed the recipe, please give it a 5 star rating! Thank you!

    More Delicious Christmas Desserts

    Recipe

    Brownies with peppermint on white plate.

    Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies

    The combination of chocolate and peppermint found in peppermint brownies brings about an instant holiday spirit vibe. These delicious and festive peppermint brownies are a heavenly way to combine those amazing flavors.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print this Recipe Pin this Recipe Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 15 servings
    Calories: 364kcal
    Author: Kelly Stilwell

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup dark cocoa powder
    • 1 tablespoon espresso powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup unsalted butter melted
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 3 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
    • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
    • 15 starlight peppermint candies crushed

    Instructions

    • Spray a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper, and preheat the oven to 350 F.
    • Mix the flour, dark cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
    • In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Blend in the eggs and the vanilla and peppermint extracts.
    • Stir in the flour mixture, blending until combined.
    • Carefully fold the dark chocolate chips in.
    • Pour the brownie batter mixture in the greased baking pan. Cook for 20-30 minutes until the edges are starting to get brown.
    • While the brownies are baking, use a food chopper or food processor to crush the peppermint candy.
    • Bring the brownies out of the oven when cooked and sprinkle the peppermint candy on top of the brownies.
    • Return to the oven and cook for 5 more minutes.
    • Cool completely on a wire rack, and then slice when at room temperature.

    Notes

    Don’t overmix. Overmixing brownie mix can cause it to become tough. Only mix until ingredients are blended.
    Use candy canes. If it is candy cane season, they can be used instead of the Starlight mints. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors, too. Chocolate mint candy canes and cherry candy canes can provide a neat twist on this dessert.
    Try crumbled Oreo cookies. Looking for something different from crushed candy canes? Try crumbled mint Oreo cookies. It gives the flavor of chocolate and peppermint but with a different look and texture.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 142mg | Potassium: 162mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 427IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @kastilwell or tag #FFFP!
    « Oven Baked French Dip Sliders
    Sweet Potato Bites »
    11 shares

    Affiliate Disclosure

    Food, Fun & Faraway Places participates in the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and other affiliated sites.

    Reader Interactions

    Share your Thoughts! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kelly eating on a cruise ship.

    Welcome! Food, Fun & Faraway Places® is a travel and food blog written by Kelly Stilwell. From delicious recipes to world travel, we’ve got you covered! Contact Kelly at kastilwell@gmail.com.

    More about me →

    Our Favorite Cocktails

    • Baileys Iced Coffee Recipe
    • Baileys Latte
    • Watermelon Mojito Recipe
    • Green Apple Martini Recipe

    Best Restaurants

    • Best Restaurants in Amman Jordan
    • Best Restaurants in Disney Springs Florida
    • Best Restaurants in St. Armands Circle
    • 20 Best Restaurants in Sarasota Florida

    Join the Family!





    Footer

    ^ back to top

    as seen in banner

    About

    • Start Here
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Kelly Stilwell