These Peppermint Chocolate Chip Brookies are the perfect holiday treat. This brookie recipe combines the best qualities of brownies and chocolate chip cookies with festive peppermint flavors.
When you cannot decide between a cookie or a brownie, brookies are always the answer. Adding a little peppermint extract and candy cane pieces to the mix makes these cookie bars the perfect holiday treat.
These peppermint chocolate chip brookies are festive and gosh darn delicious.
What are Brookies?
Brookies are a delicious blend of brownies and chocolate chip cookies. They're the best of both worlds. This brookie recipe puts a little holiday spin on the hybrid treat with the addition of peppermint extract and candy cane pieces. When the craving hits for something sweet, it's hard to decide between a brownie and a chocolate chip cookie. Why not both?
Ingredients in Peppermint Chocolate Chip Brookies
This brookie recipe has two components: the brownie batter and the cookie dough.
For the Brownie Component
This brownie recipe is almost the same as my Fudgy Double Chocolate Walnut Brownies minus the walnuts and chocolate chips.
- Unsalted Butter - Melted.
- Avocado Oil - Or canola oil.
- Granulated Sugar
- Eggs - Room temperature.
- Extracts - Pure vanilla & pure peppermint extracts.
- Dry Ingredients - All-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt.
For the Cookie Component
- Unsalted Butter - Softened at room temperature.
- Light Brown Sugar - Packed.
- Egg - Room temperature.
- Pure Vanilla Extract
- Dry Ingredients - All-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Crushed Candy Canes - Can be crushed by hand in a zip-top bag or in the food processor.
Steps for Making the Brookies (from scratch)
- The brookies are made in a greased 8-by-8-inch baking pan lined with parchment.
- Bake at 350° F.
- Make the Brownie Batter first.
- Then, make the Cookie Dough. A ¼ cup of candy cane pieces is folded into the dough.
- Once the batter and dough have been made, it is time for assembly.
Brookie Assembly
- Using your hands or a spoon, scoop out handfuls of the cookie dough and press into various areas of the bottom of the prepared baking pan. *Tip: You can use a square of wax paper to press the cookie dough in. Use half of the cookie dough for this layer. Pour the brownie batter over this layer, and smooth until even (covering the first cookie dough layer).
- Again, using your hands or a spoon, scoop out handfuls of the remaining half of the cookie dough and press into the brownie layer. Try to gently press into the batter to achieve a mostly even layer. Sprinkle with the remaining tbsp of crushed candy canes, gently press them into the dough.
- Bake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the brookies to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can! Wrap the Peppermint Chocolate Chip Brookies in plastic wrap before placing them into a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Label with the name of the item and the date made. Freeze for up to 2 months.
You can use a boxed brownie mix if you'd like. Follow the instructions on the box and add 1 tsp of peppermint extract. Proceed by making the cookie dough and follow instructions for assembly.
Because of the candy cane pieces in the dough, I would advise against this. I strongly suggest making it from scratch. The buttery homemade version is so much better!
Yes! If you would like to make these peppermint cookie bars outside of the holiday season, you can omit the peppermint extract and candy cane pieces for a classic brookie recipe.
Other Recipe You'll Love
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- S'mores Cookie Bars
- Fudgy Double Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts
- Fudgy Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting
- Almond Joy Brownies
I hope you enjoy these peppermint chocolate chip brookies. These peppermint cookie bars are the perfect addition to your holiday cookie list. Everything about them screams holiday! If you're looking for more holiday-friendly cookie recipes check out 5 Cookie Recipes to Start Holiday Baking.
Peppermint Chocolate Chip Brookies
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 tbsp avocado oil or canola oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp pure peppermint extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp salt
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup + 1 tbsp crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease and line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with parchment, set aside.
- For the Brownie Batter: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together butter, avocado oil, and sugar. Whisk well for 1-2 minutes. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Whisk for an additional 2 minutes, until light in color.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the egg butter mixture, until just combined. Set aside.
- For the Cookie Dough: In a small bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until combined.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mix until incorporated. Add the flour mixture, mixing only until incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips and the ¼ cup of candy cane pieces.
Assembly:
- Using your hands or a spoon, scoop out handfuls of the cookie dough and press into various areas of the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use half of the cookie dough for this layer. Pour the brownie batter over this layer, and smooth until even (covering the first cookie dough layer.)
- Again, using your hands or a spoon, scoop out handfuls of the remaining half of the cookie dough and press into the brownie layer. Try to gently press into the batter to achieve a mostly even layer. Sprinkle with the remaining tbsp of crushed candy canes.
- Bake: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the brookies to cool completely before cutting into bars.
somekindofwonderful91
These look so good, really want to try these!
kryan0911
Thank you so much! Please do, they are super delicious 🙂