Frosted Gingerbread Brownies Recipe

Introduction

These Frosted Gingerbread Brownies combine the rich, spiced flavors of gingerbread with the fudgy texture of classic brownies. Topped with a creamy gingerbread ermine frosting, they make a perfect festive 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 (for frosting)
• 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
• 1 cup (200 g) light brown sugar, packed (for frosting)
• 1 teaspoon gingerbread spice mix*
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and light brown sugar. Stir well until smooth.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and kosher salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
6. Step 6: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
7. Step 7: Bake for 28-33 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is no longer jiggly. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
8. Step 8: While the brownies cool, prepare the gingerbread ermine frosting. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk and 5 tablespoons of flour.
9. Step 9: Cook, whisking constantly, for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens into a very thick pudding that coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
10. Step 10: Cover the milk mixture with plastic wrap pressed directly on top to prevent a skin, and let it cool to room temperature.
11. Step 11: In a stand mixer bowl with the paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter and brown sugar (for frosting) on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
12. Step 12: Add the cooled milk mixture and gingerbread spice mix to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally.
13. Step 13: Switch to the whisk attachment, add the vanilla extract, and beat on high speed for 7-8 minutes until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
14. Step 14: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Slice and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For a stronger ginger flavor, increase the ground ginger by half a teaspoon or add a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg to the spice mix.
• If you don’t have gingerbread spice mix, combine ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice as a substitute.
• Use parchment paper with overhang on the sides of the pan for easy removal of the brownies after baking.
• Let the frosting chill slightly if it becomes too soft before spreading, especially in warm kitchens.

Storage

Store the frosted brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To keep the frosting soft, allow refrigerated brownies to come to room temperature before serving. You can also freeze unfrosted brownies for up to 3 months; thaw completely before frosting and serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the brownies gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking, but results may vary slightly in texture. Be sure your flour blend includes xanthan gum or a similar binder for best results.

What is gingerbread spice mix?

Gingerbread spice mix is a blend of warm spices commonly used in gingerbread recipes, typically including cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and sometimes allspice. It adds depth and the classic gingerbread flavor.

Frosted Gingerbread Brownies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 319 reviews

• Author: Gabriel
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 16 brownies 1x

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Description

These Frosted Gingerbread Brownies combine the warm, spicy flavors of gingerbread with the rich, moist texture of classic brownies, all topped with a luscious Gingerbread Ermine Frosting. Perfectly spiced and sweet, this treat is ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings.

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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

Gingerbread Ermine 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

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Combine butter and brown sugar: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the melted butter and packed light brown sugar until well combined.
3. Add eggs, molasses, and vanilla: Mix in the room temperature eggs one at a time, then add molasses and vanilla extract, combining thoroughly.
4. Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and kosher salt.
5. Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until fully incorporated and smooth.
6. Bake the brownies: Pour and spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 28-33 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is firm but slightly soft.
7. Cool brownies: Remove from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
8. Prepare the gingerbread ermine frosting – cook milk and flour: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the whole milk and all-purpose flour. Continuously whisk and cook for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens and resembles a very thick pudding that coats the back of a spoon.
9. Cool the milk mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and transfer the mixture to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to avoid a skin from forming, then let it cool to room temperature.
10. Cream butter and sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the room temperature butter and packed light brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl sides as needed.
11. Add cooled milk mixture and gingerbread spice: Mix in the cooled milk-flour mixture along with the gingerbread spice mix. Beat on medium-high speed until the frosting becomes light and fluffy, another 2-3 minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally.
12. Add vanilla and whip frosting: Switch to the whisk attachment, add vanilla extract, and whip on high for 7-8 minutes until smooth and creamy.
13. Frost the brownies: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

• For the gingerbread spice mix, combine ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg to taste.
• Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature to avoid curdling and to achieve a smooth batter.
• Do not overbake the brownies to keep them moist and fudgy.
• Pressing plastic wrap directly onto the pudding mixture prevents a skin from forming in the frosting.
• Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• Allow frosting to come to room temperature before serving if refrigerated for easier slicing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 33 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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