These peppermint brownies happened when Liam found a box of leftover candy canes after Christmas and asked if we could "put them in something chocolatey." I was making regular brownies anyway, so I crushed up those candy canes and swirled some peppermint extract into the batter. What came out of the oven was pure holiday magic - rich, fudgy brownies with bursts of cool peppermint and crunchy candy pieces that made every bite feel like Christmas morning, even in February.
Why You'll Love These Peppermint Brownies
These Peppermint Brownies have taken over as our favorite holiday dessert, and honestly, we make them all year now because they're too good to save just for Christmas. What gets me is how they take regular brownies - which are already amazing - and add this cool, minty twist that makes them feel fancy and festive. Liam says they taste like "Christmas exploded in chocolate," which sounds weird but is actually spot-on.
The texture is what hooks people. You've got that rich, fudgy brownie thing going on, but then you hit these little pockets of crunchy candy cane pieces. Some melt a bit during baking and create these sweet minty swirls, while others stay crispy and give you something fun to crunch on. Every bite is different, which keeps you going back for more.
I was worried the peppermint might be too strong or make them taste like toothpaste brownies, but it's actually really nice and refreshing. The mint doesn't fight with the chocolate - it just makes everything taste brighter and more interesting. Even my neighbor who swears she hates anything mint ended up asking for the recipe after trying these.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love These Peppermint Brownies
- Peppermint Brownies Ingredients
- How To Make Peppermint Brownies
- Equipment
- Storing Your Peppermint Brownies
- Peppermint Brownies Variations
- Substitutions
- Top Tip
- Mom's Hidden Shortcut That Actually Works (Your Turn to Try It)
- FAQ
- Your New Holiday Baking Champion!
- Related
- Pairing
- Peppermint Brownies
Peppermint Brownies Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- Unsalted butter
- Dark chocolate or cocoa powder
- Granulated sugar
- Large eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
The Peppermint Magic:
- Peppermint extract
- Candy canes
- White chocolate chips
Optional Extras:
- Mini chocolate chips
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Extra candy canes for topping
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Peppermint Brownies
Making these is basically like making regular Peppermint Brownies with one extra fun step. Liam loves the candy-crushing part and has gotten really good at it:
Prep Your Candy
- Put 6-8 candy canes in a zip-top bag
- Crush with rolling pin into chunky pieces
- Set aside while you make brownie batter
Make Brownie Base
- Melt butter and chocolate together
- Beat in sugar, then eggs one at a time
- Add vanilla and 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Fold in flour and salt until just combined
Add the Magic
- Gently fold crushed candy canes into batter
- Don't overmix - just distribute evenly
- Pour into greased 9x13 pan
Top and Bake
- Sprinkle extra candy pieces and white chocolate chips on top
- Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes
- Center should be just set
Cool and Enjoy
- Let cool completely before cutting
- Cut into squares with sharp knife
- Serve and watch them disappear!
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking pan
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or wooden spoon
- Zip-top bag for crushing candy
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
Storing Your Peppermint Brownies
Room Temperature (3-4 days):
- Cool completely before storing
- Airtight container or covered pan
- Keep away from heat and sunlight
- Don't refrigerate unless really hot weather
Individual Portions:
- Wrap single brownies in plastic wrap
- Perfect for lunch boxes or gifts
- Stay fresh and fudgy for days
- Great for portion control
Freezer Storage (up to 3 months):
- Wrap cooled brownies in plastic wrap, then foil
- Freeze whole pan or individual pieces
- Thaw at room temperature for best texture
- Taste almost as good as fresh
Holiday Prep:
- Make 2-3 days before parties
- Actually improve in flavor overnight
- Perfect for cookie exchanges
- Store covered at room temperature
Peppermint Brownies Variations
White Chocolate Peppermint:
- Use white chocolate chips in the batter
- Top with white chocolate drizzle
- Extra crushed candy canes on top
- Looks like a winter wonderland
Double Mint Madness:
- Add both peppermint extract and mint chips
- Layer with peppermint frosting
- Crushed Thin Mints cookies mixed in
- For serious mint lovers only
Chocolate Mint Chip:
- Regular brownies with mint extract
- Green food coloring for mint chip look
- Mini chocolate chips throughout
- Skip the candy canes
Holiday Bark Version:
- Pour batter into thin layer
- Top with melted white chocolate
- Crushed candy canes and pretzels
- Cut into bark-like pieces
Grown-Up Peppermint:
- Add a splash of peppermint schnapps
- Dark chocolate drizzle on top
- Sea salt flakes for contrast
- Perfect for adult holiday parties
Substitutions
Candy Alternatives:
- Candy canes → Peppermint bark pieces
- Regular candy canes → Mini candy canes (easier to crush)
- Peppermint candy → Andes mints chopped up
- Fresh candy → Leftover Halloween peppermint candy
Extract Options:
- Peppermint extract → Mint extract (slightly different flavor)
- Regular extract → Peppermint oil (use way less - just a few drops)
- Store-bought → Pure extract vs artificial (pure tastes better)
- Peppermint → Vanilla if you want plain brownies
Chocolate Changes:
- Dark chocolate → Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Real chocolate → Extra cocoa powder and oil
- Regular → White chocolate for different look
- Standard → Sugar-free chocolate for diabetics
Flour Alternatives:
- All-purpose → Gluten-free 1:1 blend
- White flour → Almond flour (denser but good)
- Regular → Whole wheat pastry flour
- Standard → Oat flour ground from oats
Butter Swaps:
- Regular butter → Coconut oil (solid, not melted)
- Dairy butter → Vegan butter sticks
- Unsalted → Salted butter (skip added salt)
- Butter → Applesauce (not as rich but works)
Top Tip
- Don't crush the candy canes into powder - you want actual chunks to bite into. The first time I made these, I got carried away with the rolling pin and ended up with peppermint dust that just disappeared into the brownies. You want pieces big enough to provide that satisfying crunch and bursts of mint flavor throughout each bite. Aim for pieces about the size of chocolate chips.
- Let the melted chocolate mixture cool down before adding the peppermint extract. Hot chocolate will make the extract evaporate and you'll lose a lot of that mint flavor. I learned this when I was rushing to get a batch done for a holiday party and wondered why they didn't taste minty enough even though I'd used the right amount of extract.
- Don't overbake these, even if they look slightly underdone in the center. Peppermint Brownies keep cooking on the hot pan after you take them out, and peppermint brownies especially need to stay fudgy to balance out the cool mint flavor. I used to bake them until a toothpick came out completely clean, and they'd turn out dry and crumbly instead of rich and gooey.
Mom's Hidden Shortcut That Actually Works (Your Turn to Try It)
My mom kept a Peppermint Brownies secret from me for three years, and I only found out because I caught her in the act last Christmas. I was always impressed by how perfectly distributed her candy cane pieces were and how her brownies had this amazing mint flavor throughout. Turns out she wasn't crushing candy canes at all - she was using those soft peppermint candies, the red and white striped pillow mints, and just chopping them up with a knife.
I thought she was crazy at first. Those soft mints seemed like they'd just melt into nothing during baking. But she showed me her method: chop the soft mints into small pieces and toss them with a little flour before folding them into the brownie batter. The flour coating helps them hold their shape, and they create these incredible pockets of soft, gooey peppermint throughout the Peppermint Brownies instead of hard crunchy bits.
FAQ
Can I add peppermint extract to my brownie mix?
Absolutely! You can add peppermint extract to any brownie mix - boxed or homemade. Just add about 1 teaspoon per batch along with the other wet ingredients. Don't go overboard though - too much peppermint extract will make your brownies taste like toothpaste. I learned this the hard way when Liam "helped" and dumped in way too much. Start with less and you can always add more next time.
Can I add candy canes to brownie mix?
Yes, crushed candy canes work great in brownie mix! Put about 6-8 candy canes in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin into chunky pieces. Fold them gently into your brownie batter just before baking. The pieces will add pops of peppermint flavor and fun crunchy texture throughout the brownies. Just don't crush them into powder or you'll lose the texture.
What is the most expensive brownie in the world?
The most expensive Peppermint Brownies ever made was apparently covered in gold leaf and cost thousands of dollars, but honestly, these peppermint brownies taste way better than any fancy gold-covered dessert! Sometimes the best things are simple - good chocolate, a little mint, and some crushed candy canes. Liam says these are "worth a million dollars" which is probably more accurate than those overpriced restaurant versions.
What does peppermint extract do in baking?
Peppermint extract adds that cool, refreshing mint flavor that makes these brownies taste like the holidays. It's much stronger than vanilla extract, so you need way less - usually just a teaspoon for a whole batch. The extract also helps balance out rich chocolate flavors by adding brightness. Just remember that a little goes a long way, and you can't take it back once it's mixed in!
Your New Holiday Baking Champion!
These peppermint brownies have become our most requested dessert for every holiday celebration, and once you make them, you'll understand why they disappear so quickly. What started as a way to use up leftover candy canes has turned into Liam's favorite "Christmas dessert that we eat all year round." The combination of rich chocolate and cool peppermint creates something that feels both festive and comforting, perfect for any occasion that calls for a special treat.
These brownies have earned their spot alongside our other family favorites that never fail to impress. Looking for more crowd-pleasing recipes? Try our Best Pink Velvet Cake Recipe for celebrations that need something elegant and special. Our Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins prove that vegetables and chocolate can be best friends. And don't miss our Best Spinach Pie Recipe when you want something savory that still feels like a special occasion dish.
Share your Peppermint Brownies photos with us! There's nothing better than knowing a recipe that brings joy to our kitchen is spreading that same festive happiness to yours.
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Pairing
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Peppermint Brownies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Crush the candy canes inside a sealed zip-top bag using a rolling pin until chunky, not powdery.
- Gently melt the butter with dark chocolate (or cocoa) until smooth, then let it cool slightly.
- Whisk in the sugar, then add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla and peppermint extract.
- Fold in the flour and salt carefully until the batter is just combined-don't overmix.
- Stir in most of the crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips, saving some for topping.
- Pour the batter into a lined 9x13 pan, then sprinkle remaining candy and chips on top.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes until the center is just set but still fudgy.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before slicing to get clean, firm pieces.
