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Indulge your sweet tooth with a festive twist in these Candy Cane Brownies, where rich, fudgy chocolate meets the delightful crunch of peppermint swirls. A perfect marriage of holiday cheer and decadent flavors, these brownies are sure to be a hit at your next seasonal gathering.

Plate of brownies with whipped candy cane frosting; text label reads Candy Cane Brownies

I love the versatility of brownies. They are a perfect bite of chocolate and so easy to make. But you can dress them up in all sorts of ways. Over the years, some of my favorite desserts have been brownie-based.

My Oreo Brownie Trifle is a holiday favorite because trifles are a very forgiving dessert (and who doesn’t like Oreos, right?) I’ve also shared Ferrero Rocher Brownie Bites made with my favorite holiday candy.

glass bowl filled with layers of OREO Brownie Trifle on colorful placemat with spoons

brownie bite with frosting in front of a plate of brownies; text label reads Ferrero Rocher Brownie Bites

These Candy Cane Brownies are perfect for taking to Christmas parties or adding some color to your Christmas dessert table. You can make the brownies ahead of time and then frost them when you’re ready to serve.

Tips for making great brownies:

Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality chocolate, cocoa powder, and other ingredients for the best flavor. The better the ingredients, the better the brownies.
Proper Mixing: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can result in dense brownies.
Room Temperature Eggs and Butter: Ensure that your eggs and butter are at room temperature before incorporating them into the batter. This helps with better emulsification and a smoother texture.
Don’t Overbake: Brownies are best when they are slightly fudgy and moist. Overbaking can lead to dry brownies, so keep a close eye on them and perform the toothpick test – a few moist crumbs clinging to the toothpick is ideal.
Add Extra Chocolate Chips or Chunks: Stirring in some extra chocolate chips or chunks into the batter just before baking can create pockets of gooey, melted chocolate throughout the brownies.
Flavor Enhancers: Experiment with flavor enhancers like a pinch of sea salt, a dash of espresso powder, or a teaspoon of vanilla extract to intensify the chocolate flavor. (In this case, we are using peppermint extract.)
Line the Pan: Line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This makes it easy to lift the brownies out of the pan for neat cutting.
Cooling Time: Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting into them. This helps them set and develop a better texture.
Creative Add-Ins: Customize your brownies with add-ins like nuts, caramel swirls, or, as in the case of Candy Cane Brownies, crushed candy canes for a festive touch.
Storage: Store brownies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness. You can also refrigerate or freeze them for longer shelf life, but bring them back to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.

horizontal image of long platter of brownie squares on red Christmas napkin

More peppermint desserts for Christmas:

I always think of Little House on the Prairie and how excited the girls were to get a peppermint stick in their stocking for Christmas. Candy canes remind me of simpler times and are tied into Christmas for many of us. Here are a few more recipes featuring that fresh minty flavor:

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