Peppermint Brownies

By Leah Maroney

Updated 09/09/19

Peppermint Brownies

 The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney
  • Total: 60 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 45 mins
  • Yield: 1 pan (serves 12)

Rich, decadent, and chewy, these ganache-covered peppermint brownies will satisfy any sweet tooth and chocolate peppermint lover. 

This is the perfect recipe for using up leftover candy canes from the holidays. If you can’t get your hands on some candy canes then you can use striped, wrapped peppermint candies that are available year-round in most grocery stores.

Make this recipe with the kids. It’s easy to whip together and there are lots of opportunities for stirring and helping.

Ingredients

  • For the Brownies:
  • 1 1/4 cup sugar
  • 11 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup candy canes (crushed)
  • For the Ganache:
  • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 325 F. 

    Gather the ingredients
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  2. Add the sugar and butter to a bowl and microwave for 2 minutes or until the butter is melted. Whisk the butter and sugar mixture together until they are incorporated. 

    Melt the butter and sugar
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  3. Once the butter mixture has cooled slightly, beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and cocoa powder. Beat until the mixture is smooth and glossy. You can do this with a whisk, hand-mixer, or in a stand mixer.

    Mix in the eggs and cocoa.
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  4. Stir together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl. 

    Mix dry ingredients
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  5. Fold the flour mixture into the wet mixture until there are no more pockets of flour. Be careful not to over mix. Fold the chocolate chips into the batter. 

    Mix up the brownie batter
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  6. Pour the batter into a parchment-lined 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Make sure the parchment paper hangs over a few inches above the edges of the baking pan. The brownies are topped with frosting so they will still be thick. Smooth the top of the batter. 

    Add the brownie batter to the pan
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  7. Bake for 45 minutes on the center rack in the oven. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the brownies. The toothpick should come out sticky, but not runny. 

    Bake the peppermint brownies
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  8. While the brownies are cooling, prepare the ganache. Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for one-minute intervals until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Whisk in between each interval.

    Melt the chocolate for ganache
    The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney 

  9. Pour the ganache over the cooled brownies. Smooth the ganache with a rubber spatula. Top the ganache with the crushed peppermint sticks. Allow them to cool slightly to room temperature. You can also place them in the refrigerator or freezer to get them to cool quicker. 

    Add the ganache and peppermint candy
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

  10. Remove the brownies from the pan by grabbing the parchment paper. Cut them into squares with a long chef's knife or a pizza cutter.

    Peppermint brownies
     The Spruce Eats / Leah Maroney

Tip

  • If not serving immediately, you can also store the brownies in an airtight container for up to four days. 

Recipe Variations

  • There are lots of other ingredients that you can add to these delicious brownies. Try adding chopped walnuts or white chocolate chips.