Peppermint Brownies

These Frosted Peppermint Brownies are the perfect holiday dessert! With a rich and fudgy brownie base, topped with a creamy peppermint frosting and finished off with crunchy, crushed mint candies, they’re the ultimate treat to bring to your next holiday gathering. The blend of chocolate and peppermint is a classic winter combination that’s sure to delight your taste buds. The best part? They’re easy to make, require only a few ingredients, and can be prepped in just under 20 minutes. These brownies are a festive, delicious dessert that everyone will love!

Ingredients:

1 box (16 oz) Betty Crocker™ Delights Supreme Original Brownie Mix
Water, oil, and egg called for on the brownie mix box
1 1/4 cups Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Vanilla Frosting (from a 16 oz container)
1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract (or mint extract)
Betty Crocker™ green or pink gel food color (for a festive touch)
Peppermint or spearmint candies, crushed (optional, for topping)

Instructions:

Prepare the brownies
Preheat the oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease the bottom of a 9-inch square pan with shortening or cooking spray. Follow the instructions on the brownie mix box to prepare the batter, mixing in the water, oil, and egg. Once combined, pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake as directed on the box. Let the brownies cool completely on a cooling rack, which should take about 1 1/2 hours.
Make the peppermint frosting
In a small bowl, combine the frosting, peppermint extract, and food color. Stir until smooth and well-blended. The food color will give your frosting a fun, festive hue—green for a minty look, or pink for a more playful peppermint vibe.
Frost and decorate the brownies
Once the brownies have cooled, spread the peppermint frosting evenly over the top. If desired, sprinkle with crushed peppermint or spearmint candies for added texture and minty flavor. To make cutting easier, refrigerate the brownies for about 15 minutes until the frosting sets.
Serve and enjoy!
Once the frosting has set, cut the brownies into 4 rows by 4 rows (16 pieces). These brownies are perfect for serving at holiday parties, and they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container.

Recipe Tips:

For easier serving: Cut the brownies into bite-size pieces and place them in holiday-themed paper liners for easy grab-and-go servings.
Flavor variations: You can also mix in a handful of mini chocolate chips into the brownie batter for an extra touch of chocolatey goodness.

After baking the brownies and letting them cool completely, it’s time to move on to the fun part—frosting and decorating!

Making the Peppermint Frosting

To create the peppermint frosting, you’ll need just three simple ingredients:

1 1/4 cups Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Vanilla Frosting
1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
Food coloring (optional, for a festive touch)

Combine the Frosting, Peppermint Extract, and Food Color
In a small bowl, stir together the vanilla frosting and peppermint extract. Make sure the frosting is smooth and evenly flavored with the mint. This will give the frosting a refreshing, peppermint kick that pairs beautifully with the chocolate brownie base.
Add Food Coloring
If you’re feeling festive, add a few drops of green or pink gel food coloring to give the frosting a fun, holiday-inspired look. A little goes a long way, so start with just a drop or two, and mix until you achieve your desired color.

Frosting the Brownies

Once the brownies are completely cool, it’s time to spread the frosting:

Spread the Frosting
Use a spatula or butter knife to spread the minty frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Try to smooth it out as much as possible to create a nice, even layer of frosting. This is the perfect canvas for your final touch—decorating!

Decorating with Crushed Mint Candies

For an extra festive touch and added crunch, sprinkle crushed peppermint or spearmint candies on top of the frosted brownies. The minty candies not only look beautiful, but they also add a delightful texture and extra burst of peppermint flavor.

Crush the Candies
You can crush the candies by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and gently pounding them with a rolling pin or meat mallet. Make sure the pieces are small enough to sprinkle over the frosting without being too large or hard to bite into.
Sprinkle Over Frosting
Generously sprinkle the crushed mint candies over the top of the frosted brownies, covering the surface evenly. This adds a lovely visual appeal, especially when the candies catch the light.

Chill for Easier Cutting

For cleaner, easier cuts, place the brownies in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to set the frosting. This will help it firm up and make cutting into neat squares a breeze.

Serving and Storing

Once the frosting is set and the brownies are cut into squares (4 rows by 4 rows for a total of 16 pieces), they’re ready to be enjoyed!

Serve: These brownies are perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or as a gift to someone special.
Store: Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.

Recipe Tips for Best Results

Here are a few helpful tips to ensure your Frosted Peppermint Brownies turn out perfectly:

Let the Brownies Cool Completely
After baking, make sure to let the brownies cool completely before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and ensures that it sets properly on top of the brownies.
Use Gel Food Coloring
If you’re using food coloring, opt for gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring. Gel colors are more concentrated and give a more vibrant, rich color without affecting the texture of the frosting.
Crush Candies Evenly
When crushing the peppermint candies, aim for smaller pieces so they’re easier to sprinkle evenly over the frosting. You can crush the candies using a rolling pin or even a food processor for a finer texture.
Chill the Brownies for Clean Cuts
Refrigerating the brownies for about 15 minutes after frosting makes cutting into neat squares much easier. The frosting will firm up, and you’ll get smoother, cleaner slices.
Customize the Frosting Flavor
If you’re not a fan of peppermint, you can experiment with different extracts like vanilla, chocolate, or even hazelnut to give the frosting a unique flavor that suits your preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these brownies ahead of time! Bake and frost them the day before your event, and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The brownies will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

2. Can I use homemade brownie mix instead of boxed mix?
Absolutely! If you prefer to make the brownies from scratch, you can use your favorite homemade brownie recipe. Just ensure that you bake them in a 9-inch square pan, as the boxed mix recipe is designed for this size.

3. How do I store leftover brownies?
Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you need to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them or even freeze them for up to 2 months. Just be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before storing.

4. Can I use a different type of candy on top?
Yes! While crushed peppermint or spearmint candies are traditional for a peppermint flavor, you can experiment with other candies like crushed chocolate mints, crushed Oreos, or even sprinkles for a festive look.

5. Can I use store-bought frosting?
Yes, store-bought frosting works perfectly well in this recipe. If you prefer homemade frosting, you can easily whip up a batch of buttercream frosting with powdered sugar, butter, and peppermint extract.