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a batch of peppermint candy cane brownies
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4.49 from 125 votes

Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies

Peppermint candy cane brownies are super fudgy brownies topped with sweet peppermint frosting, chocolate ganache and crushed candy canes.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Bar Cookies
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies, baking, cookie, Dessert, food, recipe
Servings: 16 brownies
Calories: 388kcal
Author: Barbara Schieving

Ingredients

Brownies

  • 1 ¼ cups flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate baking squares
  • 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 ½ teaspoons peppermint extract
  • 1 ½ tablespoons milk
  • red food coloring 1 to 2 drops

Chocolate Glaze

  • 6 ounces about 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
  • 6 tablespoons butter

Peppermint Topping

  • ½-1 cup crushed candy canes

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350º. Line a 9x13 inch pan with foil, making sure the foil extends over the edges by at least one inch. Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • Chop the baking squares and butter into chucks and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until just melted and smooth. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally.
  • In a stand mixer or with electric beaters, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla for 2 minutes. While the mixer is running, slowly add the melted chocolate and beat to combine. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture and mix just until combined. Pour into prepared 9x13 pan.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out mostly clean. Don’t over bake! When brownies are done, cool on a wire rack. When completely cool, put in the fridge to chill (makes the frosting spreading easier).

Peppermint frosting

  • Combine all frosting ingredients and beat until light and fluffy. Add more milk a teaspoon at a time if needed. Spread evenly over chilled brownies and place back in the fridge to chill again while you do the final step. (I used an offset spatula to spread the frosting.)

Chocolate Glaze

  • Place chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until just melted and smooth. Set aside to cool for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, and then quickly spread on top of brownies.
  • Sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top and return to the fridge to cool. When chocolate has hardened, use the edges of the foil to remove the entire sheet of brownies from the pan. Cut into squares and serve.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 426IU | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg