Red Velvet Peppermint Brownies with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

Red Velvet Peppermint Brownies with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect holiday brownie! A rich and chewy vibrant red peppermint brownie piled high with peppermint cream cheese frosting.

The holidays are finally here! Can you believe it? I have already been baking up a storm. I look forward to the flavors that fill my house while I am baking this time of year. There is no better time to savor the flavors like warm cinnamon, savory thyme, or cool peppermint.

I always use McCormick and their quality spices, herbs, and extracts in my cooking and baking. But we recently got to put their products to the test during a Google hangout with McCormick Chef Kevan Vetter. We were given cinnamon, thyme, and peppermint to compare to another brand. We couldn’t tell from the packaging which was McCormick and were able to taste both and compare. We were able to tell which product was McCormick every time! And quite honestly I was blown away by the difference in quality. McCormick had a different, stronger scent and a bold taste.

We were then given some peppermint bark made with peppermint extract. Both were in generic packaging and we were supposed to taste and decide which one used McCormick peppermint extract. The first one that I tried tasted more like the white chocolate than the peppermint flavor. The second one left that peppermint flavor in your mouth and was perfect. It had the perfect balance of peppermint and really came through in the white chocolate. You could immediately tell that that was made with McCormick peppermint extract. The peppermint flavor is undeniable!

I had to share a recipe with you today that used peppermint extract. If you aren’t already using McCormick peppermint extract you need to try the difference! It is exactly how you would think your holiday peppermint goodies should taste.

These Red Velvet Brownies are the absolute perfect holiday brownie. You guys. This brownie. Is hands down the very best brownie that you will make. It is perfectly chewy and moist with that peppermint flavor that comes through. They bake perfectly!

These babies get piled high with peppermint cream cheese frosting which completes these brownies perfectly. This frosting is so addicting and my favorite part! The peppermint flavor comes through the frosting and then it gets topped with crushed candy canes. These brownies are seriously Christmas in your mouth! 😉

These brownies are a must make for your holiday baking!

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Red Velvet Peppermint Brownies with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

By: Alyssa Rivers

Red Velvet Peppermint Brownies with Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect holiday brownie! A rich and chewy vibrant red peppermint brownie piled high with peppermint cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 16

Ingredients 

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Red Velvet Peppermint Brownie

• ▢ 1 4-oz. bittersweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
• ▢ ¾ cup butter
• ▢ 2 cups sugar
• ▢ 4 large eggs
• ▢ 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 1-oz. bottle McCormick Red Food Color
• ▢ 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
• ▢ 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• ▢ 1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened
• ▢ 3 tablespoons butter softened
• ▢ 1½ cups powdered sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
• ▢ 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract
• ▢ Crushed peppermint candy canes for garnish

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x9 or 7x11 inch pan with aluminum foil allowing 2 inches to hang over the sides. Lightly grease.
• In a microwave safe bowl melt the chocolate and butter stirring after 30 seconds each time being careful not to burn the chocolate. Whisk in the sugar and add the eggs one at a time until blended. Add the flour, red food coloring, baking powder, vanilla, and peppermint extract. Stir until fully incorporated.
• Pour into the bottom of your prepared baking pan and bake for 40-44 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean with moist crumbs. Cool completely.
• To make the cream cheese frosting: Beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and peppermint extract and continue to beat until creamy. Frost the cooled brownies. Top with crushed candy canes.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 3gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 112mgPotassium: 68mgFiber: 1gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 391IUCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

This post was sponsored by McCormick®. I love working with brands that I am passionate about and use in the kitchen for myself. All opinions expressed are my own.