Peppermint Brownies are simple to make with a yummy peppermint frosting and a smooth chocolate topping. Perfect for a delicious treat!
Bookmark these plain Mint Brownies for when the holidays are over!
Peppermint Brownies Recipe
Peppermint Brownies are the perfect holiday treat. They feature a thick, chocolatey brownie base, enhanced with finely chopped Oreos® for extra fudginess.
These brownies are topped with a thick layer of peppermint cream cheese frosting and finished off with a silky-smooth chocolate ganache.
Quick Tip
For an even-more-festive treat, add some crushed peppermint candy on top!
Ingredients In Peppermint Brownies
- Brownie mix: Use your favorite brand that’s between 17-19 oz.
- Oreos: Chop Oreos finely to ensure even distribution throughout the brownies.
- Cream cheese and butter: Set out to get to room temp before beginning.
- Peppermint extract: Use peppermint extract, not mint extract.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Chocolate chips: Forms the rich, glossy topping with a smooth texture.
- Heavy cream: Helps melt the chocolate and adds creaminess.
- Butter: Create a silky and decadent ganache.
How To Make Peppermint Brownies
- Bake: Prep brownie mix as directed, add chopped Oreos and bake.
- Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add peppermint extract, salt, and powdered sugar.
- Frost: Spread the frosting over the cooled brownies.
- Prepare Ganache: Heat heavy cream and butter, then pour over chocolate chips. Let it sit, then stir until smooth. Pour the ganache over brownies.
- Set and Serve: Let the peppermint brownies set in the fridge.
More Peppermint Treats
- No-Bake Peppermint Cheesecake with an Oreo crust
- Peppermint Snowball Cookies fun twist on Mexican wedding cookies
- Mason Jar Peppermint Cookies with a free printable
- Peppermint Sugar Cookies with cream cheese frosting
- Peppermint Bark Brownie Cookies reader favorite!
Peppermint Brownies
Peppermint Brownies are a breeze to make! With a creamy peppermint frosting and rich chocolate topping, you’ll love this holiday treat!
Equipment
- Baking pan 9 x 9-inch; 8 x 8-inch works, but 9 x 9 is preferable
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 (17.8-ounce) package brownie mix and ingredients listed on package; I recommend Betty Crocker’s Supreme Triple Chunk
- 6 regular Oreo cookies finely chopped, leave the creme filling inside
Frosting
- 3 ounces cream cheese full-fat
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract not mint extract
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- Pink food coloring or red, optional
Ganache
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup heavy cream full-fat
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 to 3 tablespoons crushed peppermint candy optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch (8×8-inch works, but I prefer 9×9) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang. Follow package directions to prepare the brownies—do not add the fudge packet if it came with your brownies (save it for later). Very finely chop 6 Oreos and add to the brownie ingredients. Stir everything together to get a thick brownie batter. Transfer to the prepared pan and bake according to package instructions. Don’t overbake. As soon as brownies are baked, remove from oven and allow to cool 3–4 minutes. If you had a fudge packet, spread it over the brownies here. Cover brownies tightly and place in the fridge (or freezer) while preparing frosting layer.
- In a large bowl, beat together room-temperature cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add peppermint extract (to preference; I use 1 teaspoon; see note 1). Add salt, optional food coloring, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and creamy. It will seem like it’s not coming together at first, but just keep beating until it does. Scrape the sides as needed with a spatula. Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled brownies. Return brownies to the fridge while preparing the ganache.
- Measure chocolate chips into a heatproof bowl. Add heavy cream and butter to a glass measuring cup and microwave until steaming hot (but not boiling), about 1 to 1 and 1/2 minutes. Pour hot cream mixture over the chocolate chips. Do not stir. Cover the bowl with the chocolate chips to keep in the heat and let stand 5 minutes. Stir until chocolate is fully melted and smooth. If needed, microwave the mixture for 15 seconds to further melt. Let ganache stand 10–15 minutes to thicken.
- Whisk again and pour and smooth over the frosting layer. Let brownies stand at room temperature for 30 minutes (to keep the top glossy, don’t immediately refrigerate); refrigerate for 2–3 hours or until chocolate topping is firm. If desired, sprinkle some crushed peppermint candies on top.
- Using the parchment overhang, remove brownies from the pan and cut with a sharp knife. To get clean cuts, run your knife under very hot water, dry, and then slice in quick fast cuts.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: The strength of the extract varies from brand to brand; I use McCormick® peppermint extract, and 1 teaspoon is perfect. Taste the frosting and decide if you’d like more extract, up to 1 and 1/2 teaspoons.
Storage: Store leftover Peppermint Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted brownies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Frost after thawing.
Nutrition
Serving: 16bars | Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14.9g | Cholesterol: 20.6mg | Sodium: 107mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These were one of the best brownie recipes ever! Gorgeous and tasted amazing. Only thing is when I try to print the recipe it keep looping me back to the same page again? Thanks!
I am so thrilled to hear this! So sorry about the print button we’re working on getting it fixed! 🙂
Looks so nice!
Both versions of these brownies look incredible, Chelsea! I would have rushed to be the first person at work at the Creamery too. Mint and chocolate always leaves me swooning! 🙂
You are so sweet!! Thank you Kelly!!
Chelsea, these look SO good! And that creamery where you used to work… OMG I wish there was one near me! I would definitely be getting to work early to cut the brownies, too! 🙂
Haha they were amazing! 🙂 Thanks Sam!!
Oh these are just so pretty! I keep meaning to make a mint treat this season … must make it happen!
There is just SO much to do around the holidays!! Thanks Ashley!!
These look amazing and so easy to make! Great video! Pinned!
Thank you so much Mira! 🙂
These look amazing. I saw the video on IG yesterday and that definitely tempted me!!
Thanks so much Natasha! 🙂
Your Mint Oreo and Peppermint Brownies look amazing! I love the festive Holiday colors too. I have never tried the Betty Crocker brownie mix before, so I am excited to give it a go in this scrumptious recipe. Thanks!
We are SO obsessed with that mix!! Love it!! Thanks so much Susan!