Frosted Gingerbread Brownies Recipe

Introduction

These Frosted Gingerbread Brownies combine the warm spices of gingerbread with the rich, fudgy texture of brownies. Topped with a creamy gingerbread ermine frosting, they make a perfect holiday treat or cozy dessert for any time of year.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup (245 g) whole milk
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon gingerbread spice mix*
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and 1 ½ cups brown sugar. Stir until well mixed.
3. Step 3: Mix in the eggs, molasses, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until fully combined.
6. Step 6: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake for 28-33 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is no longer jiggly.
7. Step 7: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
8. Step 8: To prepare the frosting, whisk together 1 cup milk and 5 tablespoons flour in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and resembles a thick pudding, about 3-5 minutes.
9. Step 9: Remove from heat and cover the surface with plastic wrap pressed directly against it to prevent skin from forming. Let cool to room temperature.
10. Step 10: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together 1 cup room temperature butter and 1 cup brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
11. Step 11: Add the cooled milk mixture and gingerbread spice mix to the bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until frosting is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.
12. Step 12: Switch to the whisk attachment, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and whip on high speed for 7-8 minutes until smooth and creamy.
13. Step 13: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownies, slice, and serve.

Tips & Variations

• If you don’t have gingerbread spice mix, combine equal parts cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg as a substitute.
• For extra moist brownies, avoid overbaking; start checking at 28 minutes.
• Use parchment paper with an overhang to lift brownies easily from the pan.
• Experiment with adding chopped nuts or crystallized ginger for added texture.

Storage

Store the frosted gingerbread brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze unfrosted brownies for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost before serving. To reheat, warm individual pieces briefly in the microwave for a soft, fresh-baked feel.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the brownies without the frosting?

Yes, the gingerbread brownies are delicious on their own. Simply bake and cool them as directed, then enjoy plain or dusted with powdered sugar.

What is gingerbread spice mix?

Gingerbread spice mix is a blend of warm spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. It adds a distinct, cozy flavor typical of gingerbread desserts. You can find it pre-mixed in stores or make your own at home.

Frosted Gingerbread Brownies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 149 reviews

These Frosted Gingerbread Brownies combine the rich, spicy warmth of gingerbread with a luscious ermine frosting for a festive dessert perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights. The moist, flavorful brownies are baked to a tender finish and topped with a smooth, creamy gingerbread spiced frosting that adds an irresistible sweet touch.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 33 minutes
• Total Time: 53 minutes
• Yield: 16 brownies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Brownies

• 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Frosting

• 1 cup (245 g) whole milk
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon gingerbread spice mix*
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal and set aside.
2. Mix butter and sugar: In a large bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter with the packed light brown sugar and stir well to blend the ingredients thoroughly.
3. Add eggs and flavorings: Mix in the two large eggs, molasses, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and the batter is smooth.
4. Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and kosher salt ensuring an even distribution of spices.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter and egg mixture, mixing until no flour remains and the batter is uniform.
6. Bake the brownies: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake in the preheated oven for 28-33 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is no longer jiggly when gently shaken.
7. Cool brownies: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan before frosting to ensure the frosting won’t melt.
8. Prepare frosting base: While the brownies cool, whisk together the milk and flour in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Continuously whisk the mixture for 3-5 minutes until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
9. Cool the frosting base: Remove the saucepan from heat and cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
10. Cream butter and sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter and packed light brown sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides to incorporate all ingredients.
11. Add cooled milk mixture and spices: Pour the cooled milk-flour mixture and gingerbread spice mix into the creamed butter and sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy, occasionally scraping down the bowl.
12. Whisk in vanilla and finalize frosting: Switch to the whisk attachment, add vanilla extract, and beat on high speed for 7-8 minutes until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and aerated.
13. Frost the brownies: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled gingerbread brownies. Slice into squares and serve to enjoy the festive treat.

Notes

• *Gingerbread spice mix typically contains a combination of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice; you can substitute with an equal amount of pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice if unavailable.
• Ensure that the eggs are at room temperature for better emulsion and texture in the brownie batter.
• Pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the milk-flour mixture prevents a skin from forming, ensuring a smooth frosting base.
• For best flavor, allow the brownies to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
• Store frosted brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Keywords: gingerbread brownies, gingerbread ermine frosting, holiday brownies, spiced brownies, Christmas dessert, frosted gingerbread