Peppermint Bark Brownies
These Peppermint Bark Brownies are the perfect dessert recipe for Christmas. Soft and chewy brownies with a hard white chocolate shell topped with crushed candy canes.
Let the holidays begin!
Thursday was the last day of school before the holidays, and so I spent all of yesterday marking tests in the hopes of leaving them behind when I fly to Vancouver today. So I holed myself over at my favorite breakfast joint and spent the entire day marking. Surrounded by good food and endless coffee. Pro tip to any fellow teachers: this is a great way to get marking done.
I got more marking done than I have ever done in one day. Unfortunately, I didn't finish all of it. I still have a stack to mark when I get back.
But with these Peppermint Bark Brownies, I think I can manage.
It's that time of year again. The holiday season means that I am baking almost every night, testing some new holiday treats for all of you. These brownies have been taste tested by so many people: my students, my wonderful colleagues from a couple of years ago and myself. Like, I taste tested it a lot, not going to lie. The hard life of a food blogger. I do it all for you 💓.
But if we are being completely serious, I think that THIS might be my go-to holiday dessert from now on. The brownies are fudgy and so deliciously chewy, and the white chocolate peppermint bark adds a nice crunch and sweetness that can't be beat.
Two of my favorite Christmas treats wrapped up in one dessert recipe? I am SO in.
The first time I made these fudgy brownies, I brought them to a Christmas staff party. They were gone by the end of the night. Which doesn't sound like much, but there was a LOT of food at this staff party. For people to flock to a particular type of dessert is really saying something with so many other options to choose from.
And can we talk about how pretty these are? They look like something straight from Starbucks, without the Starbucks price. You could probably cut them into squares, or any other shape you want and they would still look gorgeous. In fact, they would act as great Christmas decorations if you put them on a plate on your table, they are that pretty.
Peppermint Bark Brownies Recipe Ingredients
All you need to make these peppermint brownies is:
- salted butter
- white sugar
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- cocoa powder
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- baking powder
- white chocolate chips
- shortening (or unsalted butter)
- candy cane pieces
Tips & Tricks
Make it your own! You honestly can use any homemade brownie recipe for the fudgy brownie base. Just make your favorite homemade brownies recipe and top with the white chocolate layer as per the recipe card below.
Short on time? You can use boxed brownie mix and spread the melted white chocolate in an even layer on the brownie layer once they are done baking and cooled completely. No shame in using box brownie mix. It still produces a rich chocolate brownie that oftentimes tastes homemade anyways.
Enhance the peppermint flavor! If you are like me and love all things peppermint, then you will want to give it more peppermint flavor. Add some peppermint extract to the white chocolate mixture. You can even add some to the brownie batter. Then use a sharp knife to but up a little bit of peppermint candy. I love the larger chunks, but you could also cut the peppermint candies into smaller pieces so it's easier to eat.
More Recipes for the Peppermint Lover
Like this Peppermint Bark Brownie recipe? Then you will love these recipes:
If you try this Peppermint Bark Brownies recipe, let me know! Give a star rating, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on social media! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Peppermint Bark Brownies
Ingredients
Brownies
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Peppermint Bark
- 6 oz white chocolate
- 1 ½ tablespoon shortening
- ⅓ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on two edges. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Remove from heat and mix in the sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add in the cocoa powder, flour, salt and baking powder and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes,or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out with a couple of crumbs.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
- When the brownies are cool, place the white chocolate and shortening in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 1-1.5 minutes in the microwave, removing from the microwave every 30 seconds to stir until smooth. Do not overcook!
- Pour the melted chocolate over the cooled brownies. Sprinkle with the crushed candy canes. Place in the fridge until the chocolate has hardened.
- Using a very sharp warm knife (run it under hot water and wipe dry), cut the brownies into 9 squares, then again diagonal through each square to give you 18 triangles. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Use seasonal sprinkles to make these brownies all year round for different holidays.
I love brownies and these ones seem finger-licking, Cathleen! I fell in love with the peppermint bark and I'll definitely give your recipe a try! 😉
I hope you do. They were delicious!!
You certainly know how to make a brownie special. Hope you had a great Christmas.
I did, thank you!! I hope you had a great Christmas too.
What a great idea adding chocolate bark to the top of brownies! Hopefully you are managing to relax on those Christmas holidays of yours and bake batches of these for your fella 😀
Haha, thanks. I have yet to make this for him because they are sold out of white chocolate wherever I go! Maybe after the holidays 😉
Looks beautiful and delicious ! Merry Christmas !!
Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too! 🙂