There’s something magical about the combination of chocolate and peppermint during the holiday season. These Chocolate Candy Cane Brownies are rich, fudgy, and topped with a fluffy marshmallow buttercream that melts in your mouth. Add a sprinkle of crushed candy canes, and you have a festive treat that’s perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or just indulging at home.
Method
Prepare Your Baking Dish
Before you begin making the brownie batter, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). It’s essential to prepare the baking dish in advance so that your brownies don’t stick and are easy to remove once baked. Take an 8×8-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper, making sure the edges extend beyond the sides for effortless lifting later.
Make the Brownie Batter
Start by creaming butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer. Set the speed to medium and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step ensures a smooth and well-incorporated batter. Next, crack the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing continuously until well combined.
Once the wet ingredients are incorporated, sift in the hot chocolate mix and cocoa powder. Sifting is crucial as it prevents lumps and ensures even distribution of the chocolatey flavors. Slowly mix everything together at a low speed until the ingredients are fully blended.
Now, it’s time to add the dry ingredients. Gently fold in the flour, salt, and baking powder into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined, ensuring you don’t overmix the batter, as this could result in dense brownies. Lastly, add the chopped dark chocolate and carefully fold it into the batter, distributing it evenly for that extra gooey, melted chocolate texture.
Bake the Brownies
Once your batter is ready, pour it into the parchment-lined baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula to create a smooth surface. Place the dish in the preheated oven on the middle rack and bake for 25-28 minutes. To check if your brownies are done, insert a toothpick in the center if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, they’re ready! Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely before frosting.
Prepare the Frosting
While the brownies are cooling, you can prepare the delicious marshmallow buttercream frosting. In a clean mixing bowl, beat butter, marshmallow fluff, and icing sugar together using an electric mixer. Start at a low speed to prevent the sugar from flying out of the bowl, then gradually increase to medium speed until the mixture becomes fluffy and smooth. Slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time, ensuring the frosting achieves a light and spreadable consistency. If you prefer a thicker frosting, reduce the milk slightly.
Decorate and Serve
Once the brownies have completely cooled, it’s time to frost and decorate! Using a spatula, evenly spread the marshmallow buttercream frosting over the brownies, covering the entire surface. To make them extra festive, sprinkle mini marshmallows and crushed candy canes on top, pressing them lightly into the frosting so they stick.
For the final step, carefully lift the brownies from the baking dish using the parchment paper edges. Place them on a cutting board and slice them into 16 equal squares. Now they are ready to be served and enjoyed!
Necessary Tools
- Electric mixer (or hand whisk)
- Mixing bowls
- Sifter
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- 8×8” parchment-lined baking dish
- Blender (for crushing candy canes)
Chocolate Candy Cane Brownies
Cuisine: GermanyDifficulty: Easy16
servings15
minutes25
minutes40
minutesIngredients
For the Brownies:
3/4 cup butter (soft, but not melted)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup powdered hot chocolate mix
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate
For the Frosting:
1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
1/2 cup marshmallow fluff
2 & 1/4 cups icing sugar
3 tbsp milk
Mini marshmallows
Crushed candy canes
Directions
- Prepare Your Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8” baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy brownie removal later. - Make the Brownie Batter
In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together on medium speed until creamy and smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until well incorporated.
Sift in hot chocolate mix and cocoa powder to ensure there are no lumps. Mix well.
Next, add in flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir until just combined, don’t overmix! Finally, fold in the chopped dark chocolate for extra gooeyness. - Bake the Brownies
Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in the oven for 25-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. - Prepare the Frosting
While the brownies are cooling, make the frosting. In a clean mixing bowl, beat together butter, marshmallow fluff, and icing sugar until fluffy. Add milk slowly until a smooth frosting forms. - Decorate and Serve
Once brownies have completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly on top. Sprinkle mini marshmallows and crushed candy canes for a festive touch. Slice into 16 squares, and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients; it can make the brownies dense instead of fudgy.
- Let the brownies cool completely before frosting, or the buttercream will melt and become runny.
- Sift your cocoa powder and hot chocolate mix to prevent clumps in the batter.
- Use room-temperature butter for both the brownies and the frosting it helps with mixing and consistency.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Pair with a mug of hot chocolate for extra coziness.
- Wrap in festive boxes and give them as homemade holiday gifts.
Fun Fact
Did you know that candy canes were originally all white? The red and white stripes were introduced in the early 1900s to resemble a shepherd’s staff, and peppermint flavor was later added to make them more festive!
Conclusion
These Chocolate Candy Cane Brownies are everything you want in a holiday treat: chocolatey, rich, and delightfully pepperminty. The marshmallow fluff buttercream adds a fun, fluffy texture, and the crushed candy canes bring a refreshing crunch. Whether you’re making them for a party, a cozy night in, or as a sweet gift, they’re sure to be a hit.
Go ahead grab a square, pour yourself some hot cocoa, and enjoy the season’s best flavors!
