Description
Festive candy cane brownies bring holiday cheer with rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint swirls. Chocolate lovers will discover a delightful blend of classic brownie richness and cool seasonal mint that delivers pure winter dessert magic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
Baking Additives:
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Topping/Garnish:
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating an 8×8-inch pan with non-stick spray and lining with parchment, ensuring overhang for easy extraction.
- Create the decadent chocolate base by whisking melted butter and granulated sweetener until smooth and integrated.
- Incorporate eggs and aromatic extracts (vanilla and peppermint) into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly to develop rich flavor profiles.
- Gently sift cocoa powder, flour, leavening agent, and salt directly into the wet ingredients, folding with minimal manipulation to maintain a tender texture.
- Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure even distribution.
- Position the pan in a preheated 350°F oven, baking for approximately 22-27 minutes until a inserted tester reveals moist, fudgy crumbs.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely within the pan, enabling the delicate structure to set and firm.
- Transform the surface by melting chocolate chips through carefully controlled microwave intervals, stirring between each to prevent scorching.
- Drizzle the molten chocolate across the brownie landscape, creating an artistic pattern of delectable coverage.
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes generously over the chocolate layer, adding festive crunch and peppermint brightness.
- Permit the chocolate topping to stabilize for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
- Lift the brownies from the pan using parchment edges, then slice into precise squares or elegant rectangles.
- Serve immediately or preserve in an airtight container, maintaining optimal texture for up to five days.
Notes
- Swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version that maintains the rich, fudgy texture of the brownies.
- Crush candy canes finely to ensure even distribution and prevent large, hard chunks in each bite.
- Use dark cocoa powder for a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor that complements the peppermint perfectly.
- Allow brownies to cool completely before adding chocolate drizzle to prevent melting and ensure a clean, professional-looking finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg