Holiday mint brownies, also called peppermint patty brownies, are a decadent dessert with a dense chewy brownie, a creamy peppermint frosting in the middle, and then topped with a layer of glazed chocolate.
They are the perfect treat and will add a pop of color to your Christmas dessert table. You definitely want to add this delicious confection to your holiday baking list!
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HOW I FOUND THE BROWNIE RECIPE
Many years ago, my dad wanted to have a work holiday party that only served desserts. He and my stepmom asked me to make the desserts and even offered to buy me a KitchenAid mixer to make it easier. I was all in, because I had been wanting a KitchenAid mixer so badly. I still have the same mixer today, because they last for such a long time.
When planning for the dessert holiday party, I asked several of my friends to share their favorite recipes with me. One of my dear friends shared the holiday mint brownie recipe with me, which is also referred to, by some, as peppermint patty brownies.
Throughout the years, I have made a few small changes to the recipe, and it continues to be one of my favorite holiday desserts.
WHAT IS IN THE HOLIDAY MINT BROWNIES
The bottom layer is a dense chewy brownie that incorporates cocoa, butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and mint extract.
The next layer, which happens to be my favorite layer, is peppermint icing. This icing layer is very similar to a buttercream frosting, because it uses butter and powdered sugar. It also uses mint extract and green food coloring, which gives these brownies the beautiful pop of color.
The last layer is a chocolate glaze that is made with melted chocolate chips and butter.
Each layer of the holiday mint brownies is what creates this decadent dessert that will disappear in a hurry.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE HOLIDAY MINT BROWNIES
The bottom layer of the holiday mint brownies cooks very quickly and you do not want to over-bake them. I have over-baked them on various occasions, and it makes the edges really hard and crunchy. When I do over-bake them, I end up cutting the edges of the brownies off so they aren’t too hard to eat.
Also, cooling the bottom layer completely is really important, so the peppermint frosting doesn’t melt. Once the brownies are frosted, chilling the brownies is also very important, or the chocolate glaze won’t set up correctly.
The holiday mint brownies are chilled in the refrigerator to set the chocolate glaze, and then they are stored in the refrigerator. The last tip I want to share is bring them to room temperature before you cut them. If you don’t some of the chocolate will crack on top. This has happened to me, but no one seems to mind because they still taste delicious.
MAKING THE HOLIDAY MINT BROWNIES YEAR AFTER YEAR
The holiday mint brownies are one of my favorite things to bake for the holidays. Many of my holiday baking recipes use red cherries, red food coloring, or red sprinkles. I feel like these brownies bring a pop of color to a platter of Christmas goodies, because the middle layer is a beautiful vibrant green color.
Hopefully you will add these to your holiday baking this year!
xoxo,
Molly
Holiday Mint Brownies
Ingredients
Brownie
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup baking cocoa
- 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
Peppermint Frosting
- 6 tbsp butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
- 3 tbsp water
- green food coloring
Chocolate Glaze
- 12 oz chocolate chips
- 4 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.
Brownies
- Beat together softened butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add cocoa and melter butter, and beat until blended.
- Add eggs, flour, salt, and peppermint extract. Mix until smooth.
- Spread batter into baking dish.
- Bake for 35-38 minutes. Do NOT overcook or edges will be hard.*
- Let cool completely.
Peppermint Frosting
- Beat powdered sugar and softened butter until creamy.
- Add water one tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition until desired consistency.
- Add food coloring a couple of drops at a time, beating after each addition until desired color is achieved.
- Spread on top of cooled brownies.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Chocolate Glaze
- Put chocolate chips and butter in microwave safe bowl.
- Melt in microwave 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each segment util chocolate is melted and shiny.
- Do not over-melt, or chocolate will dry out and lose its shine and will not spread onto frosting.
- Cool slightly, then spread onto peppermint frosting.
- Refrigerate until chocolate is set.
Finishing Touches
- Once your brownie layers are finished, set them on the counter until they are room temperature.*
- Slice into squares and serve.
- *If you cut the brownies while they are still cold, the chocolate glaze will crack.
- *If you over bake the brownies, they edges will become hard. If this happens, just cut the edges off the brownies–you will still have plenty to serve your guests.
Individual Charcuterie Cups
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These look amazing!! Pinning for my holiday baking, thank you!
I was looking for a way to use peppermint extract, so this fits the bill! Plus, these look so festive with the green layer in the middle.
These look amazing, and I love the pop of color! I will be trying these this holiday!
This recipe looks delicious! I never knew how easy it was to make brownies from scratch until I made a similar recipe for my daughter’s birthday. All this time I’ve been buying brownie mixes! Instead of the mint buttercream, I melt Andes mints on top of the warm brownies. I’m going to make them your way next time, as my daughter prefers frosting. Great recipe!
Oh my gosh…Andes mints melted on top sound amazing!! I wonder if it would be too much to use the frosting and spread melted Andes mints instead of chocolate chips!!
These are absolutely amazing! The mint and chocolate together are heavenly. Definitely will be making these again for my family.
You won! This is going to be this year’s holiday dessert. I was looking for something new to bake. I am by far not much of a baker but I believe I can whip this one up in no time. Thanks for sharing.
So delicious looking and I love the festive color! These are bright and fun and I can’t wait to try them!
These sound amazing! Mint and chocolate are 2 of my favorite things paired together.
My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip so I am definitely going to try your brownie recipe! Thanks for sharing.