Peppermint Brownies

These easy peppermint brownies are the perfect holiday treat this holiday season! If you love a chewy brownie topped with a peppermint crunch, you will love these. It is the time of the year when you just randomly get those chocolate peppermint cravings right? I love a nice warmed peppermint hot chocolate on the side of these easy peppermint brownies.

These peppermint brownies are the best! Christmas time always has meant, more cookies and more baking to be done! The holiday vast approaching means; more gift wrapping, more last minute shopping, and MORE BAKING!

I have been making this recipe for a few years now, it is a low calorie brownie recipe, and it is also high in protein. This recipe makes 12 fudgy brownies, and each brownie has 5 grams of protein.

I was on the hunt for pre-crushed peppermint sticks but I could not find any. I ended up just buying a pack of Candy Canes and crushed them up myself. This recipe uses two, so I unwrapped them, put them in a plastic bag and used the back of the spoon to crush them. Only after doing this did I find out that Wegmans sells them nicely packaged and crushed.. lol. So if you have a Wegmans go there now, if not, crush them by hand like me:)

I know the chocolate mint combo is controversial.. I have always loved it but I can see how the mint can be overpowering at times. Definitely not the case for these brownies! There is a perfect balance of chocolate and mint! I think I owe part of that to the Chocolate Mint Cookie Pescience Protein powder! 

Peppermint brownie ingredients:

Dry ingredients:

• ½ cup flour, 60 grams
• ¼ cup cocoa powder, 24 grams
• 1 scoop PEsceince Chocolate Mint Cookie Protein, 31 grams

Wet ingredients:

• 6-7 tbsp liquid egg whites, 100 grams
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup light butter, 46 grams
• ¼ cup Swerve brown sugar, 40 grams
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 
2. Use cooking spray and parchment paper to line an 8×9 square pan
3. Start by creaming your butter. Then add your eggs, egg whites, and sugars and vanilla extract
4. Slowly sift in the dry ingredients
5. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the brownie batter into the prepared pan
6. Bake for 10 minutes
7. While the brownies are baking, place the peppermint candy on a cutting board, and using the back of a spoon, crush the sticks into small pieces.
8. Top the brownies with the crushed peppermint candies and bake for 10 more minutes
9. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes
10. Slice the cooled brownies using a sharp knife into 12 squares, and enjoy

What if you do not have chocolate mint cookie protein?

If you do not have chocolate mint protein just use a plain chocolate protein powder and add a teensy bit of peppermint extract 1/4-1/2 tsp! Peppermint extract is very strong so make sure to use it sparingly or else your chocolate brownies will taste like toothpaste.

What if you do not have any peppermint candy?

If you are not able to find any peppermint candy you can top these brownies with semisweet chocolate or a peppermint buttercream frosting. To make this frosting you would combine peppermint extract, butter, and powdered sugar.

Do you have to add protein powder?

If you do not want to add protein powder to these brownies you do not have to, just make sure you add:

¼ cup of flour

¼ tsp peppermint extract

1 tbsp liquid sweetener 

Why don’t my brownies have the crackly top?

There is a debate as to why brownies get that delicious crackly top after baking. Some say it is due to under-mixing the batter, others claim that melting the chocolate in the butter is the key to the classic crackly brownie top.

Can you add instant coffee to brownies?

I saw this hack on TikTok, the baker claimed to add instant coffee or espresso powder into your brownies is the key ingredient everyone is missing. I have no tried it personally, but a friend of mine says it is delicious! The coffee is meant to bring out the chocolate flavor even more, and apparently, you cannot taste the coffee.

How do you make a cake-like brownie?

I prefer fudgy, gooey brownies, but if you prefer cake-like brownies then add baking soda, baking powder, and a teaspoon of salt to make a puffy, more airy brownie.

How do you store the easy peppermint brownies?

These brownies are tricky to store because they have crushed peppermint candies on top, and if left out for too long, the candies melt. I recommend, storing these brownies at room temperature covered in plastic wrap for 1-2 days. Any longer, freeze them. 

What is the nutrition information for the easy peppermint brownies?

Search HNFIT Easy Peppermint Brownies in My Fitness Pal for easy logging:

75 calories 

Total Fat 2.2g

Total Carbohydrate 8.6g

Dietary Fiber 0.8g

Sugars 3.5g

Protein 4.9g

Are brownies good with dark-chocolate ganache?

Yes, these brownies would taste amazing topped with a ganache. To make a ganache, make a double boiler, and add the heavy cream into a large bowl until slightly bubbly. Stir in the semisweet chocolate and melt. Let it sit for a few minutes at room temperature to thicken, then pour it over top of the brownies and top it with the crushed peppermint candies.

Can you make this recipe gluten-free peppermint brownies?

If you wanted to make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free flour, it is as easy as that!

Brownie topper ideas:

If you do not want to top your brownies with candy canes there are plenty of other things you can add to these brownies:

• White chocolate chips
• Mini marshmallows
• Chocolate cream cheese frosting; if you love cheesecake brownies, make these!
• Chocolate or rainbow sprinkles 
• Peanut butter
• Crushed nuts 

Other recipes you will enjoy:

• Protein Hot Chocolate
• Low-calorie Brownie Muffins
• Fudgy Flourless Brownies 
• Healthy Cosmic Brownies 
• Cheesecake Brownies