This Fudgy Peppermint Brownies Recipe is actually my favorite Foolproof Crinkly Fudgy Brownies (the best brownies!) but jazzed up with a heap of peppermint flavor and a luscious layer of dark chocolate ganache.
To really maximize the candy cane flavor, crushed peppermint candies are sifted so you have chunks of peppermint candies as well as peppermint ‘dust’ (see step-by-step photos below).
The peppermint dust is then sprinkled over the brownies mid-bake and then the peppermint chunks are added to the tops of the brownies as garnish for more delicious texture and flavor.
The final brownie dessert has a perfectly fudgy brownie layer with just the right amount of pure peppermint extract, a dusting of, well, peppermint dust. Then a decadent layer of dark chocolate ganache covers the top and the remaining chopped peppermint is sprinkled over the tops.
This is a pretty easy peppermint brownies recipe, but I’m hesitant to label it ‘easy’ across the board because you do need to whip up the ganache.
It’s a painless extra step that happens while the brownies are chilling (and you’re reusing one of the bowls you used to make the brownies), but it’s an extra step regardless, so I won’t totally brag about these being easy peasy brownies.
These are DREAMY (and beautiful) and the perfect holiday treat!
Why You Should Make These Fabulous Fudgy Peppermint Brownies
- They are the perfect balance between rich, fudgy brownie and cool, crunchy peppermint
- This peppermint brownie recipe is great anytime of year but they are so fun and festive around the holiday season!
- The ingredients are mostly simple ingredients and pantry staples (minus the peppermint candy canes!)
- This recipe can be made in a 9 x 13–inch (23 x 33–cm) baking dish or a 9×9 (23×23-cm) square baking pan. The former will make thinner brownies (that’s what I used in the photos) and the latter will yield a thicker, fudgy brownie with a thicker ganache layer. See the Notes section below the recipe for more details.
- This recipe is foolproof and will turn out perfect every time!
- These are delicious as is and would also be delicious as a more elegant dessert served with vanilla bean ice cream and more crushed candy canes!
This recipe was originally posted in 2016 but has been completely revamped, updated and made new and fabulous. I’ve learned so much about baking brownies since then (and from writing the brownie recipes in The Cookie Book), that these Peppermint Brownies (aka Candy Cane Brownies) deserved a much needed facelift. So enjoy!
The Best Peppermint Extract for Baking (IMHO)
I have tried many different brands of peppermint extract and my favorite is Nielsen-Massey Pure Peppermint Extract. This is not sponsored ;), just my genuine favorite peppermint extract.
It has just the right amount of cool peppermint flavor without tasting and smelling like mouthwash.
For this recipe you’ll use 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of pure peppermint extract. I give a range depending on how peppermint-y you want it to be. I like the 3/4 teaspoon, but if you like to go big on peppermint flavor then use the full 1 teaspoon.
My Favorite Peppermint Brownie Tips
+ Step-by-Step Instructions
Below are step-by-step photos (with captions) to make The Best Peppermint Brownies perfect every single time! My biggest tips are:
- Use Quality Peppermint Extract. Peppermint extract taste varies with many tasting and smelling like mouthwash or overly fake. I love Nielsen-Massey Pure Peppermint Extract.
- Sift (or Separate) Your Crushed Peppermint Candy. In this recipe the peppermint ‘dust’ is sprinkled over the brownies mid-bake and then the larger peppermint chunks are used to garnish the top of the brownies. I love the two layers of peppermint flavor and I think the larger chunks look cleaner and prettier sprinkled over the top. If you don’t have a sifter/seive, then just use your hands; it doesn’t have to be perfect!
- Allow Time for the Brownies & Ganache to Cool. You’ll want to let the brownies cool completely before adding the ganache (the fridge speeds this up) and then you’ll want to chill them once again to set the ganache before cutting them. Factor both of these steps into your baker’s timeline.
Let’s make some super festive Candy Cane Brownies!
To Start
For The Brownies
For the Ganache
Favorite Brownie Equipment
9×9-inch (23×23-cm) pan for thicker, fudgier brownies
9×13-inch (23×33-cm) pan for chewier brownies around the edges of the pan and more fudge-like ones in the center
Electric Stand Mixer (I prefer the Artisan to the Professional)
Breville Handheld Mixer, this one has a bunch of speeds, dough hooks, whisks. I was never a fan of handhelds until I got this one! This is the one in the photos and video.
These bowls are awesome for mixing, setting atop simmering water when melting chocolate and for weighing out ingredients before starting (if you’re so inclined!)
Confetti spatula from this set — it’s too cute!
Love this chef’s knife with the white handle…you can also see it in the brownie video
This fine-mesh sieve is awesome for sifting the peppermint candies
More Chocolate Peppermint Desserts
If you’d like to see some more peppermint recipes, check out: Peppermint Bark Cookie Bars, Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cups, Chocolate Peppermint Skillet Cookie, Holiday Chocolate Peppermint Breakfast Buns, Vegan Peppermint Brownies and Peppermint Sandwich Cookies.
Click here to see all of the brownie + bar cookies recipes on DisplacedHousewife!
Fudgy Peppermint Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
To Start
- 1/2 cup (86 g) peppermint candies or candy canes
For the Brownies
- 1 1/2 cups (255 g) dark chocolate (finely chopped)
- 12 tablespoons (170 g) unsalted butter (cut into 12 pieces)
- 1 cup (85 g) unsweetened dark (Dutch process) cocoa powder
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (165 g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon (13 g) real vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (see Note below)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup (135 g) all-purpose flour (how to measure flour)
For the Ganache
- 1 1/4 cups (213 g) dark chocolate (finely chopped)
- 1/3 cup (80 g) heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) unsalted butter or 1 tbsp (21 g) of light corn syrup (optional; see Note below)
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
To Start
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease an 9 x 13–inch (23 x 33–cm) baking dish and line with parchment paper, letting the excess hang over the sides. (See note below regarding pan size.)
- Crush the peppermint candies (candy canes). I usually place them in a resealable plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. Separate the candy cane chunks from the candy cane 'dust'; I used a fine-mesh sieve for this but it doesn't need to be perfect and you can eyeball separating the two. Set aside.
For the Brownies
- In a medium bowl (that's heat safe) add the chocolate, butter and cocoa powder and set over a medium saucepan of simmering water. Do not let the bowl touch the water or let the water come to a boil. Stir frequently until melted and smooth and set aside.
- In a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (see mixer Notes below recipe), add the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract and salt and whisk on medium-high for about 5 to 7 minutes or until thick and light in color. Add in the melted chocolate (no need to let it cool) and run the mixer for 30 seconds on low to combine. Fold in the flour until just combined (make sure there aren't any flour pockets). Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake the brownies in the center of the oven for 15 minutes and then sprinkle the tops of the brownies with the peppermint dust (reserving the bigger bits of peppermint to garnish the finished brownies). Return the brownies to the oven and continue baking for 10-12 minutes (for a total of 25 to 27 minutes bake time).
- When done, the tops will be puffed with some cracks and if you test with a toothpick some crumbs will cling to it. Let on a wire rack and let the brownies cool in the pan for about 30 minutes and then transfer to the fridge to cool completely for 1 to 2 hours.
For the Ganache
- Wash and dry the medium bowl that you used to melt the chocolate and add the chocolate, cream, butter/light corn syrup (optional) and salt and set over a medium saucepan of simmering water. Do not let the bowl touch the water or let the water come to a boil. Stir frequently until melted and smooth. Set aside for 5 minutes and then pour over the cooled brownies. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the ganache over the tops of the brownies. Sprinkle with the larger peppermint chunks and place the brownies back in the fridge to fully set, about 1 to 2 hours.
- Cut the brownies when cold for the cleanest cuts. Serve the brownies chilled or at room temperature, whatever strikes your fancy! Store the brownies in an airtight container in the fridge.
These brownies look sooo good Rebecca!! Absolutely decadent and so festive! LOL I have not done any Christmas shopping too and am hitting the mall this weekend ;)
Amisha — So happy to hear I’m not alone on the shopping front!! I tore through some online shopping yesterday and now it feels a little more under control. Thank you so much sweet friend!! xoxo
Those brownies are simply amazing and YAYYYY for the holidays. My boys would love to be your neighbor.
Asha — I would love that!!! Let’s all move to the same city!!! xoxo
I JUST baked brownies last night. They’re awesome, but wish I’d seen your peppermint recipe before that for a festive treat!
Heather — Damn!!! Next time!! You will love these!! xoxo
Yummmmm!!! Gonna make this for baking day!!
Kathy — Yay!! Let me know how they go!!! xoxo
Those brownies sound amazing! So festive for the holidays.
Anika — Thank you so much!! xoxo
You are speaking my language with these brownies! Seriously love!
Laura — We need to put together a baking date, seriously!!! xoxo
Going on the ‘must bake for Christmas’, list. Thank you :)
Deepti — Oh good!! I hope you love them!!! xoxo
You always know how to do brownies, cookies, cakes, ANYTHING right! these look ooey gooey delicious, and i’m a peppermint bark advocate for life. now i just need a better knife so I can cut my bars better. :) xoxo
Amanda — Girlll, you know how to say all the nice things!! I’m obsessed with the ooey gooey brownie. I swear this is the first time in my life that I’ve ever been able to let them sit that long to get a clean cut!! Sending lots of holiday love your way!! xoxo
i always have such struggles cutting brownies into nice pieces. probably because i’m lazy and just go at it with a knife when the brownies are hot and i don’t wipe off the knife in between cuts. will have to do both because your cuts are so clean!
Heather — Yes!! And seriously, the best advice, is to wait until they are cool. It’s so hard, but I swear by it!!! xo
i never tire of the chocolate/peppermint combo so keep em coming! and i literally spent the past 4 hours shopping online for presents…it was my first stab at holiday shopping. argh! can’t wait to read about the napa trip…sounds amazing!
Cathy — Me neither!! I just love them together and it doesn’t seem to work the rest of the year so we need to squeeze it all in now! I’m going to do exactly what you did: a major online shopping bender to get it all done. Wish me luck!! xoxo
It’s too bad I didn’t make these in time for a Christmas party I just went to…now I can’t share () but actually, you kill it Rebecca this recipe is to die for.
Kaylee — Thank you so much — what a sweet compliment!!! Maybe it’s better you didn’t make them for the party and now you get them all to yourself!! xoxo
Duuuude. Looks delicious!
Amalia — Aww, thank you!!! xo
These look so utterly delectable!
Alida — Thank you so much!! Sending lots of love to you!! xoxo
Omg, I haven’t bought one present yet either! These look way too good, I literally would eat them all!! I am in need of a real knife like this one as mine are cheap and dull.
Stephanie — You’re making me feel so much better about the present situation!! I think today I’ll do some serious online shopping. This knife is amazing — good luck to you!! xoxo
Mint & chocolate are already a match made in heaven… triple mint?!?! OMG I need this in my life NOW!
Ruth — You do need these in your life! ASAP!!! xoxo
So festive Rebecca!! And always love a grabbing hand in shot ;) ;)
Joni — Obsessed with the handshot!! ;)
These brownies sound delicious! And that beautiful Henckles knife!! Who can resist wanting either one!! Lol I’ve heard many great things about Henckles knives! Happy Holidays to all!!!
Patti — This knife is no joke, my fav. I use it every day and I have a ton of knives!!! Good luck!! xo
I bet these are amazing! Peppermint just screams Christmas…then you throw it in a batch of brownies and all is well in the world. XO
Angela — Thank you Angela!!! Definitely all is well in the world!! xo
This suits my current pregnancy palette to a T! Looks beautiful too!
Leigh — That’s awesome! I hope you love them!! xo
Triple peppermint? Is that because double isn’t good enough for you? Ha, love it. These look like the perfect little holiday bites. I’d love to get my hand on that awesome knife!
Karen — Nope, double wasn’t good enough this time!!! ;) Good luck with the knife!! xoxo
Gorgeous brownies, and gorgeous knife!! I love everything peppermint this time of year – and the peppermint-chocolate combo package? dreamy :) Best of luck with the shopping… We’ve actually ditched present-giving this year in favor of travel and it’s hugely freeing.
MB — I love that you ditched gift-giving!! I’m trying to do a majorly pared down gift thing…because, frankly, we’re so lucky and I feel like we already have so much. It feels like excess sometimes. But, we’ll see how that goes… Yes to peppermint and chocolate!!! I think it’s all I could do until the end of the year!! Sending lots of love!
I’m hoping since these are petite brownies that I get to eat way more than one right?! The chocolate peppermint combo never gets old during the holidays Rebecca! Adding these to my must try holiday baking list! Good luck with the shopping!
Mary Ann — This combo never gets old — I’m obsessed with it!! I think it’s so funny that I made them petite because that NEVER happens. The 8X8 pan usually yields four brownies!! ;)