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Candy Cane Brownies

Candy Cane Brownies
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These Candy Cane Brownies feature a decadently fudgy chocolate base combined with a festive peppermint crunch from crushed candy canes. Perfect for holiday treats and cozy dessert cravings, this recipe boasts simple ingredients, customizable toppings, and an irresistible balance of rich chocolate and refreshing mint flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings & Optional Additions

  • 1/2 cup crushed candy canes (for topping)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt until evenly combined. Setting this mixture aside helps integrate flavors smoothly.
  3. Melt Butter and Combine with Wet Ingredients: Gently melt your butter in a small saucepan or microwave. Transfer the warm butter to a mixing bowl, then whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and slightly fluffy.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients to Wet and Fold In Chocolate Chips: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet bowl. Fold carefully until just combined—overmixing may lead to cakey brownies. If using, fold in chocolate chips for extra melty bites.
  5. Pour Batter and Top with Crushed Candy Canes: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle crushed candy canes generously over the top to ensure every bite has festive peppermint crunch.
  6. Bake and Cool: Bake the brownies for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before slicing to keep them intact.

Notes

  • Use high-quality cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
  • Don’t overbake; slightly under-baking ensures fudgy, moist brownies instead of dry ones.
  • Crush candy canes finely for better peppermint flavor distribution.
  • Let brownies cool fully before cutting to avoid crumbling and messy edges.
  • Experiment with topping combos such as mini marshmallows or a drizzle of white chocolate for extra flair.

Nutrition

Keywords: candy cane brownies, peppermint brownies, holiday dessert, fudgy brownies, festive brownies, chocolate peppermint dessert

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/candy-cane-brownies/