Peppermint Brownies

5 from 8 votes
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Peppermint Brownies are the perfect combination of fudgy chocolate brownie and rich white chocolate frosting with a crunchy peppermint topping. This recipe is simple and quick to put together thanks to a few foodie shortcuts. 

Two stacked White Chocolate Peppermint Brownies.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Ingredients for Peppermint Brownies
  2. Tips for making Homemade Peppermint Brownies
  3. Peppermint Bark vs. Peppermint Brownies
  4. How to Make These Easy Brownies with a Box Mix
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. How to Store Peppermint Brownies
  7. More of Our Favorite Christmas Treats
  8. How to Make Peppermint Brownies
  9. Peppermint Brownies Recipe

These Peppermint Brownies are a delicious treat that are so easy to make but look and taste absolutely decadent. They’re soft and chewy with the most flavorful peppermint in every bite. They look and taste like homemade brownies but this brownie recipe takes some help from the store. No guilt here! You can compare this to the Ghirardelli peppermint bark you can purchase. These are simple to make and are gone within minutes of serving!

There is something about the combination of chocolate and peppermint this time of year. It just tastes like Christmas. Using a high-quality chocolate will create an amazing white chocolate ganache that is topped with candy cane pieces. This is the perfect holiday treat to share at your next party!

Ingredients for Peppermint Brownies

Make this peppermint bark as easy as you would like! Each ingredient is layered on top of each other creating a refreshing and chocolatey treat. Bake the brownie mix in the oven, make the white chocolate mixture, then top with crushed candy canes. Simple to make in three easy steps!

  • Brownie mixes – Make your brownie mix from scratch or use a quick and easy box mix. Either way will give you the same great results!
  • Cream cheese – Soften your cream cheese to room temperature before creaming it together with an electric mixer. This will help eliminate any lumps in the cream cheese frosting when blending it together in a large bowl.
  • Butter – Unsalted butter works great! This will hold the shape of the frosting. Make sure not to melt butter in the microwave or frosting will be runny.
  • Almond and vanilla extract – Mix together with the cream mixture for added flavor. This combination is a sweet and savory flavoring.
  • White chocolate chips or bark – Melted white chocolate can be prepared in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stove top.
  • Powdered sugar – This helps with thickness and holds the shape of the frosting.
  • Candy canes – Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies work great for a crunchy topping.
Ingredients to make White Chocolate Peppermint Brownies including white chocolate chips, powdered sugar, brownie mix, butter, vanilla, almond extract, cream cheese and candy canes.



Tips for making Homemade Peppermint Brownies

These peppermint brownies can be the best of the best with just a few extra tips! Get out your Christmas decorations and start making these brownies. So simple to make and ready for your next holiday party!

  • Peppermint flavoring – For an extra added amount of peppermint flavor, add in a teaspoon peppermint extract to the brownie mix.
  • Stir together – Using a rubber spatula when mixing together the white chocolate filling will help from sticking, rather than a wooden spoon.
  • Prepared baking pan – This brownie mix will make a full sized sheet cake pan. Use a 11×17 inch sized prepared baking dish.
  • Cutting the brownies – Use a sharp knife when cutting the brownie bark apart. After each cut, clean the knife with a paper towel to keep crisp lines and smooth cuts.
  • Crushed peppermint candies – Speed up the process of crushing peppermint candies by placing the unwrapped pieces in a food processor or blender. Pulse a few times until they are in smaller pieces.
  • Cocoa powder – Dust some bittersweet cocoa powder on top for an elegant look.
  • Festive treats – Serve these cut up brownie bites on squared parchment paper at your next holiday party. They are bite-sized and easy to walk around with while enjoying and mingling.
Spreading White chocolate frosting on cooled brownies.

Peppermint Bark vs. Peppermint Brownies

Peppermint bark on its own is one of my favorite holiday treats. Pair it with gooey, fudgy brownies, and you have the best of both worlds, crunchy peppermint layered on top of rich chocolate. Yum!

I have had brownies that are similar to these peppermint bark ones that have a layer of actual hard white chocolate. These brownies are bit different, the “bark” is a soft white chocolate frosting sprinkled with crunchy peppermint pieces.


How to Make These Easy Brownies with a Box Mix

The best part about these brownies is that they are super easy to make. Want to know a secret? You actually use a brownie mix to make these, but I have another secret to share with you that makes them taste like they are from scratch. No one will ever be able to tell that you took short cuts, and that’s fine! We’ll keep it our little secret. Ready to hear it?

Purchase your favorite brownie batter mix. Make it as directed on the box when it comes to large eggs and oil. Instead of water, however, use a combination of half water and half sour cream. I know it sounds odd, but I promise, it makes all the difference! I also like to let my brownies chill before adding on the frosting layer.

Need an example? If you need ½ cup water for the brownie mix, use ¼ cup water and ¼ cup sour cream. Whatever amount of water the brownie box calls for, use half that amount and then add the sour cream.

Spatula with a single White Chocolate Peppermint Brownie.

“YUM! My whole family loved these brownies!”

-Angela

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes brownies sweeter?

Believe it or not salt enhances the sweetness in your brownies. It brings out the sweet quality in these types of desserts. Sprinkle it in the batter or add flaky sea salt to the top of the brownies after removing them from the oven.

What are three types of brownies?

Depending on your tastes and preferences you can make fudgy, cakey or chewy brownies. Check your favorite brownie box mix for instructions on how to make your favorite.

What NOT to do when making brownies?

Don’t over mix or under mix the batter. Don’t reduce the sugar in the recipe. All things in moderation, right? Make sure to check the oven temperature and use the instructed pan size.

Read More: 25+ Christmas Dessert Ideas

Plate of five White Chocolate Peppermint Brownies.


How to Store Peppermint Brownies

These peppermint bark brownies are perfect for making ahead and storing in an airtight container for four to five days long. It is best if you do not layer them if they are frosted and have the candy cane sprinkled on top. They will stick together even when using parchment paper in-between layers.

More of Our Favorite Christmas Treats

Since it’s likely that you’ll be making these peppermint bark brownies around the holiday season, I thought you might like some ideas for other sweet treats that are perfect for Christmas!

How to Make Peppermint Brownies

Spatula with a single White Chocolate Peppermint Brownie.

Peppermint Brownies

5 from 8 votes
Peppermint Brownies are the perfect easy and yummy Christmas treat! Fudge brownie with cream cheese frosting and crushed peppermint.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Ingredients

For the Brownie Layer:

  • 2 brownie mixes (I like to use Ghirardelli double chocolate)

For the White Chocolate Frosting:

Instructions

For the Brownie Layer:

  • Prepare boxed brownie mixes according to package instructions (see recipe notes). Bake in a greased 9×13 baking dish for 45-50 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.
    Baked brownies in a glass 9x13" baking dish.

For the White Chocolate Frosting:

  • Beat together the cream cheese and butter. Add the vanilla and almond extract.
    Mixing bowl with whipped cream cheese and butter.
  • Melt the white chocolate using the double broiler or in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds at a time on 5o% power. Be sure to stir every 30 seconds. Slowly blend it into cream cheese mixture.
    Melted white chocolate chips in a bowl with a spoon.
  • Then, add the powdered sugar and mix until thoroughly blended. 
    Powdered sugar in mixing bowl of white chocolate frosting.
  • Spread over the cooled brownies.
    Baking dish of frosted White chocolate brownies.
  • Unwrap some candy canes and place them in a plastic bag. Use a kitchen mallet or rolling pin to crush the candy cane into small pieces. 
    Ziplock bag with crushed candy canes and a metal kitchen mallet.
  • Sprinkle the candy cane pieces over the frosting.
    Baking dish of White Chocolate Peppermint Brownies sprinkled with crushed candy canes.

Notes

How to Make Brownies from a Box

Mix batter as directed on the box with the eggs and oil, but for the water, use half water and half sour cream.  This makes ALL the difference!
Example: If you need ½ cup water for the 2 brownie mixes,  use ¼ cup water ¼ cup sour cream.

White Chocolate Bark Peppermint Brownies

For a thin brownie layer:
Mix all the ingredients well and pour into a cookie sheet lined with cooking spray (NOT a cake pan).
Bake at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick a few inches from the edge comes out mostly clean. Cool completely before frosting!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 362kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 2gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 115mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 1gSugar: 51gVitamin A: 383IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made these at Christmas and loved them. I was wondering why not a glass cake pan? I was wanting to take them camping, but wanted a smaller batch. Would one box of mix work if I baked in a 9×13?

    Thanks!

    1. Hi Lynn– You can definitely use a glass pan if you wanted to! Just keep checking for done-ness. You should be fine just using one box if you did a 9×13. Hope this helps!