Layered Peppermint Brownies

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Layered Peppermint Brownies are the ultimate holiday dessert—rich, fudgy, and irresistibly festive. They combine three decadent layers: a dense chocolate brownie base, a creamy peppermint frosting, and a smooth chocolate ganache topping sprinkled with crushed candy canes. Every bite delivers the perfect balance of chocolatey indulgence and cool peppermint flavor. These brownies are perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting. They look elegant, taste incredible, and can be made ahead for stress-free holiday entertaining. Whether you’re a chocolate lover or just want a show-stopping dessert, these layered peppermint brownies will steal the spotlight at any celebration. Ingredients For the Brownie Layer: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter 2 cups granulated sugar 4 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking powder For the Peppermint Frosting Layer: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 2 cups powdered sugar 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk) ½ teaspoon peppermint extract A few drops of red or pink food coloring (optional) For the Chocolate Ganache Topping: 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips ½ cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon butter (for shine) Crushed candy canes or peppermint pieces, for topping Preparation Step 1: Make the Brownie Base Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Melt butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined. Spread batter evenly into the pan and bake 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Let brownies cool completely before adding frosting. Step 2: Prepare the Peppermint Frosting Beat softened butter with powdered sugar until fluffy. Add peppermint extract and heavy cream, beating until smooth. Add food coloring for a festive pink hue, if desired. Spread frosting evenly over cooled brownies. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up. Step 3: Make the Ganache Topping Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering (don’t boil). Pour over chocolate chips and let sit 2 minutes. Add butter and stir until smooth. Pour ganache over chilled frosting and spread evenly. Step 4: Add Peppermint Crunch Sprinkle crushed candy canes or peppermint pieces on top while ganache is still warm. Step 5: Chill & Slice Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing into bars. Variations Dark Chocolate Lovers: Use dark cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips. Mint Chocolate Twist: Replace peppermint extract with mint extract for a milder flavor. Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Frosting-Free Option: Skip frosting for a simpler peppermint ganache brownie. Cooking Notes Let brownies cool completely before layering or frosting will melt. Store in the fridge for clean slices and firm layers. These brownies taste even better the next day once flavors meld. Serving Suggestions Serve chilled or at room temperature. Pair with hot cocoa, peppermint coffee, or milk. Stack and wrap in clear bags with ribbon for holiday gifts. Tips Use good-quality cocoa for the best flavor. For perfect layers, chill each one before adding the next. Crush candy canes just before topping so they stay crisp. Cut brownies with a hot knife for neat edges. Timing Prep Time: 25 minutes Baking Time: 30 minutes Chilling Time: 1–2 hours Total Time: About 2 hours 30 minutes Nutritional Information (per brownie, 16 servings) Calories: 365 Protein: 4g Sodium: 170mg FAQs Q1: Can I make layered peppermint brownies ahead of time? Yes, they can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Q2: Can I freeze these brownies? Yes, freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Q3: Can I use boxed brownie mix? Yes, just bake and cool before adding frosting and ganache layers. Q4: Can I skip the peppermint extract? Yes, replace it with vanilla for classic chocolate layered brownies. Q5: How do I prevent ganache from cracking? Make sure frosting layer is cold but not frozen before adding warm ganache. Conclusion Layered Peppermint Brownies are the perfect holiday dessert—rich, creamy, and beautifully festive. With a fudgy brownie base, refreshing peppermint frosting, and glossy chocolate ganache, they deliver the ideal balance of decadence and seasonal flavor. Perfect for Christmas parties, cookie trays, or edible gifts, these brownies are guaranteed to become a holiday baking tradition.

Layered Peppermint Brownies are the ultimate holiday dessert,rich, fudgy, and irresistibly festive. They combine three decadent layers: a dense chocolate brownie base, a creamy peppermint frosting, and a smooth chocolate ganache topping sprinkled with crushed candy canes. Every bite delivers the perfect balance of chocolatey indulgence and cool peppermint flavor.

These brownies are perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting. They look elegant, taste incredible, and can be made ahead for stress-free holiday entertaining. Whether you’re a chocolate lover or just want a show-stopping dessert, these layered peppermint brownies will steal the spotlight at any celebration.

Ingredients

For the Brownie Layer:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder

For the Peppermint Frosting Layer:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
  • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • A few drops of red or pink food coloring (optional)

For the Chocolate Ganache Topping:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon butter (for shine)
  • Crushed candy canes or peppermint pieces, for topping

Preparation

Step 1: Make the Brownie Base

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat and whisk in sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
  • Stir in flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined.
  • Spread batter evenly into the pan and bake 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
  • Let brownies cool completely before adding frosting.

Step 2: Prepare the Peppermint Frosting

  • Beat softened butter with powdered sugar until fluffy.
  • Add peppermint extract and heavy cream, beating until smooth.
  • Add food coloring for a festive pink hue, if desired.
  • Spread frosting evenly over cooled brownies. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up.

Step 3: Make the Ganache Topping

  • Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering (don’t boil).
  • Pour over chocolate chips and let sit 2 minutes. Add butter and stir until smooth.
  • Pour ganache over chilled frosting and spread evenly.

Step 4: Add Peppermint Crunch

  • Sprinkle crushed candy canes or peppermint pieces on top while ganache is still warm.

Step 5: Chill & Slice

  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing into bars.

Variations

  • Dark Chocolate Lovers: Use dark cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips.
  • Mint Chocolate Twist: Replace peppermint extract with mint extract for a milder flavor.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
  • Frosting-Free Option: Skip frosting for a simpler peppermint ganache brownie.

Cooking Notes

  • Let brownies cool completely before layering or frosting will melt.
  • Store in the fridge for clean slices and firm layers.
  • These brownies taste even better the next day once flavors meld.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve chilled or at room temperature.
  • Pair with hot cocoa, peppermint coffee, or milk.
  • Stack and wrap in clear bags with ribbon for holiday gifts.

Tips

  • Use good-quality cocoa for the best flavor.
  • For perfect layers, chill each one before adding the next.
  • Crush candy canes just before topping so they stay crisp.
  • Cut brownies with a hot knife for neat edges.

Timing

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Baking Time: 30 minutes
  • Chilling Time: 1–2 hours
  • Total Time: About 2 hours 30 minutes

Nutritional Information (per brownie, 16 servings)

  • Calories: 365
  • Protein: 4g
  • Sodium: 170mg

FAQs

Q1: Can I make layered peppermint brownies ahead of time?

  • Yes, they can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge.

Q2: Can I freeze these brownies?

  • Yes, freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Q3: Can I use boxed brownie mix?

  • Yes, just bake and cool before adding frosting and ganache layers.

Q4: Can I skip the peppermint extract?

  • Yes, replace it with vanilla for classic chocolate layered brownies.

Q5: How do I prevent ganache from cracking?

  • Make sure frosting layer is cold but not frozen before adding warm ganache.

Conclusion

Layered Peppermint Brownies are the perfect holiday dessert—rich, creamy, and beautifully festive. With a fudgy brownie base, refreshing peppermint frosting, and glossy chocolate ganache, they deliver the ideal balance of decadence and seasonal flavor. Perfect for Christmas parties, cookie trays, or edible gifts, these brownies are guaranteed to become a holiday baking tradition.

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