Description
These Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting combine the rich, fudgy texture of classic chocolate brownies with warm, festive gingerbread spices. The decadent eggnog cream cheese frosting adds a creamy, aromatic finish, perfect for holiday celebrations or cozy winter treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownies
- 4 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 3 tablespoons crystallized ginger, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar, divided
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened and cut into 8 pieces
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1–2 tablespoons eggnog
- Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 325°F and allow it to heat thoroughly.
- Prepare pan: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with a large piece of foil, leaving overhang on the lengthwise sides to easily lift the brownies after baking. Grease the foil with butter or spray with nonstick cooking spray and flour to prevent sticking.
- Melt chocolate and butter: Melt 8 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl in the microwave. Add the chopped semisweet chocolate, let it sit for about 5 minutes to soften, then whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Mix dry ingredients (Bowl One): In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, salt, and ground cloves. Set aside.
- Mix wet ingredients (Bowl Two): In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, light brown sugar, molasses, finely chopped crystallized ginger, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually whisk in the melted chocolate and butter mixture until combined.
- Combine mixtures: Gently fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Transfer and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake at 325°F for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool brownies: Remove brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the foil overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan for easier frosting.
- Make frosting: With the brownies cooled, beat the softened butter and 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar using a handheld mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy, about one minute.
- Add cream cheese: Increase mixer speed to medium-high and add cream cheese in pieces, beating thoroughly after each addition until fully incorporated.
- Flavor frosting: Add vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon of eggnog; beat to combine thoroughly. Then beat in the remaining powdered sugar (1 cup). Adjust consistency by adding more eggnog, a teaspoon at a time, until smooth and spreadable.
- Frost and garnish: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Lightly sprinkle the top with ground cinnamon for a finishing touch.
- Storage: Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, then refrigerate to maintain freshness.
Notes
- To chop crystallized ginger finely, place pieces in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin or knife to crush.
- If you don’t have eggnog, a mixture of milk and a pinch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg can substitute in the frosting.
- Using foil for lining the pan makes it easy to remove the brownies intact without breaking.
- Do not overbake brownies; the center should remain slightly fudgy for the best texture.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: gingerbread brownies, eggnog frosting, holiday dessert, chocolate gingerbread, festive brownies
