These easy peppermint brownies are rich, fudgy, and topped with crunchy crushed peppermint candies for the perfect holiday treat. You'll love how easy these crushed peppermint brownies come together. ideal for parties, gifting, or a cozy night in.
If you like this recipe, then you will also love my Salted Caramel Brownies, Best Ever Fudgy Raspberry Chocolate Brownies, and Easy Chocolate Matcha Brownies.
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Jump To
- What ingredients are in peppermint brownies?
- Substitutions & Variations
- Before You Start: Things to Prep
- How to make peppermint brownies: (full recipe is below)
- Serving Ideas
- Storing & Freezing
- Best way to cut brownies nice and clean
- FAQ'S
- Some best brownie baking tips:
- Some other brownie recipes we love:
- Easy Peppermint Brownies
- Pro Tips for Perfect Peppermint Brownies
Hi! I'm so excited for you to make these peppermint brownies because they bring together everything I love about holiday baking. After apple desserts, my next baking addiction is brownies, so it was finally time to share a batch bursting with festive peppermint flavor.
This recipe starts with a simple dairy-free brownie base, topped with a layer of melted dark chocolate that makes each bite extra rich. Peppermint extract in the batter and crushed peppermint pieces on top add that cool, crackly finish that makes these brownies totally irresistible.
The best part? You mix everything in one bowl. No mixer needed. It's the kind of easy peppermint brownie recipe your kids can help with, especially if they're just learning how to bake. If you've been searching for easy peppermint brownies, brownies with crushed peppermint candies, or the perfect holiday peppermint brownie, this pan tends to disappear fast at my house.
What ingredients are in peppermint brownies?
Here is all you need to make these delicious brownies:
- all-purpose flour
- cocoa powder
- sea salt
- cinnamon (ground cinnamon goes so well with the chocolate, trust me!)
- eggs
- oil (I used coconut oil, but any mild flavor oil is fine)
- water
- peppermint extract
- sugar (I used granulated, but you could use coconut sugar)
- dark chocolate chocolate chips
- peppermint candies
Substitutions & Variations
- Swap dark chocolate for white chocolate for a stunning white-and-red finish.
- Add mini chocolate chips inside the batter for extra fudginess.
- Use gluten-free all-purpose flour to make them gluten-free.
- Add a swirl of peppermint buttercream on top instead of melted chocolate.
Before You Start: Things to Prep
- Line your pan with parchment so the brownies lift out cleanly.
- Crush your peppermint: place candy canes or peppermint candies in a bag and gently tap with a rolling pin.
- Melt your dark chocolate topping before the brownies finish baking so you can pour it on immediately.
How to make peppermint brownies: (full recipe is below)
Gather all the ingredients and prep your square baking pan. I like to use parchment paper and baking spray.
First step is to whisk the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder and salt). You could make this all in one bowl, but I like to whisk the flour, cocoa and salt first in a separate bowl).
Next, mix the whisk together eggs, oil, peppermint extract and water. Add in the sugar and whisk until smooth.
Pour batter into prepped pan and bake. Once it's almost ready, pull out the pan, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Pop pan back into oven to let the chips melt.
Pull out the pan as soon as it's melted (shouldn't be more than 3 minutes), and use a spatula to spread it out.
Sprinkle on the crushed peppermint candy.
Let it cool down completely to get nice and clean slices.
Serving Ideas
- Serve warm with vanilla gelato or whipped cream.
- Add a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce.
- Cut into tiny squares for holiday cookie platters.
- Wrap individual pieces in parchment and tie with red or white baker's twine for gifting.
Storing & Freezing
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Refrigerate for extra-firm brownies.
- Freeze (uncut or sliced) for up to 2 months.
- Thaw at room temperature and add fresh peppermint pieces if needed.
Best way to cut brownies nice and clean
Wipe blade every every cut.
Where can I find peppermint extract?
Line baking pan with foil or parchment paper. Once they've completely cooled, all you have to do is lift the brownies out to cut them
My favorite tip is to chill the brownies in order to get nice and clean cuts (honestly, whenever I try, someone takes pan out of fridge and cuts too quickly…it's hard to wait for these brownies!).
Cut with a very sharp knife, you'll get very clean slices.
In the spice section of most markets (and of course, online), you can find peppermint extract near the vanilla and almond extracts.
FAQ'S
The combination of cocoa powder and oil gives these brownies a smooth, rich and chewy texture. Brownies made with butter (in my opinion) have a very strong butter flavor that overpowers the chocolate flavor.
I rely on how the brownies look, feel, and smell rather than the timer, because every oven is different and baking time always varies; once the edges feel firm and start pulling away from the pan the brownies are usually ready-even if the center is still soft, it will firm up as it cools-so use a toothpick to check for moist crumbs (not wet batter), remember it's better to pull them out slightly underbaked than dry, and don't forget they'll go back into the oven for a couple of minutes to melt the chocolate chips.
Yes! Let the peppermint brownies chill in the refrigerator or at least cool down on the counter for a couple hours. Once they've completely cooled, they're ready to serve.
Peppermint brownies are fine at room temperature for just a day if you have a warmer kitchen. The chocolate layer on top will melt, so best to keep in the refrigerator if you have any leftovers for more than one day.
Yes, they freeze nicely. If you plan to freeze, do not add the melted chocolate layer with the candies. Once they have completely cooled down, slice and wrap in saran wrap and place in zipped freezer bag or in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. They'll stay fine in freezer for up to 2 months.
Some best brownie baking tips:
- A metal pan is best pan to bake brownies in. A glass pan always brings me baking issues.
- The oil could be subbed with any mild oil like vegetable or safflower oil.
- Add in some dairy-free chocolate chips if you want a little more chocolate flavor.
Some other brownie recipes we love:
- Salted Caramel Brownies
- Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
- Vegan Matcha Brownies
- Chewy Chocolate Brownies
- Stawberry cheesecake brownies
Easy Peppermint Brownies
Equipment
Ingredients
Brownies
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup oil I used coconut oil, but any mild flavor oil is fine
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup white sugar
Topping
- 1 ½ cups of dark chocolate chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 8x8 pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. I like to use Pam Baking Spray.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, peppermint extract and water. Add in the sugar and whisk until smooth.
- Add the flour mixture into the egg mixture and use a spatula to stir until smooth, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl to combine. The batter will slightly more runny than other brownie recipes. Use the spatula to spread into an even layer.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and use the spatula to spread into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out with a few crumbs.
- Remove pan from oven.
- Turn oven off. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of brownies and place the pan in the oven.
- Place the brownies back in the oven for a few minutes to melt the chocolate chips (no more than 5 minutes).
- Remove the pan and use a spatula to spread out the chocolate to cover brownies.
- Immediately sprinkle on the peppermint candies. After cooling on a wire rack, lift the brownies with the foil overhang. Slice into squares when completely cool. Enjoy!
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Notes
Pro Tips for Perfect Peppermint Brownies
- Don't overbake. Slightly underbaked brownies stay extra fudgy.
- The melted chocolate topping locks in moisture.
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for deep flavor.
- If your peppermint candies melt too much, add them once the chocolate cools for 1-2 minutes.
- Chill the brownies for clean slices.
- Highly recommend letting them cool completely before slicing, but realistically, they're so tempting! So you may end up with messy but super delicious brownie slices!
