Frosted Gingerbread Brownies Recipe

Introduction

Enjoy the warm, spicy flavors of the holiday season with these Frosted Gingerbread Brownies. They combine the chewy richness of classic brownies with a smooth, gingerbread-spiced ermine frosting for a festive treat that’s sure to impress.

A close-up top view of a set of nine square pieces of dessert with two layers on a brown surface, each piece having a thick, dense, light brown bottom layer with a slightly crumbly texture, topped by a smooth, thick, creamy white layer with gentle swirled patterns. Two pieces are stacked slightly overlapping in the center, showing the layers clearly. The dessert has sharp edges and clean cuts, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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 the 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 light brown sugar, stirring well until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Mix in the eggs, molasses, and vanilla extract 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 ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until 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.
  8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
  9. Step 9: For the frosting, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk and 5 tablespoons of flour. Cook while whisking constantly for 3-5 minutes until thick and pudding-like.
  10. Step 10: Remove the mixture from heat and let it cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
  11. Step 11: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed.
  12. Step 12: Add the cooled milk mixture and gingerbread spice mix to the mixer bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes, scraping the bowl as needed.
  13. Step 13: Switch to the whisk attachment and add vanilla extract. Beat on high 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

  • Use fresh ground ginger and cinnamon for a brighter spice flavor in the brownies.
  • If you don’t have gingerbread spice mix, combine ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg to taste as a substitute.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend.
  • Chill the frosting briefly if it becomes too soft for spreading.

Storage

Store the frosted brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 7 days. If refrigerated, allow them to come to room temperature before serving or warm slightly for a softer texture.

How to Serve

Several square pieces of cake are placed on a white marbled surface. Each cake piece has two layers: a bottom layer that is a thick, moist, light brown cake and a top layer that is a smooth, creamy, off-white frosting spread evenly with gentle swirls. Two pieces are slightly lifted and overlapping in the center, showing the thickness of each layer clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the brownies without the frosting?

Yes, the brownies are delicious on their own. Simply bake and cool completely before slicing if you prefer a less sweet treat.

What is gingerbread spice mix?

Gingerbread spice mix is a blend of warm spices typically including cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and sometimes allspice. It adds a classic holiday flavor to the frosting.

Print
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Frosted Gingerbread Brownies Recipe


  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 16 brownies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Frosted Gingerbread Brownies combine the rich, spiced flavors of gingerbread with a moist, dense brownie base, topped with a smooth and creamy Gingerbread Ermine Frosting. Perfect for festive occasions or cozy dessert cravings, this recipe balances warm spices, molasses, and a luscious frosting for an irresistible treat.


Ingredients

Scale

Baking 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

Frosting Ingredients

  • 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 (typically a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Combine butter and sugar: In a large bowl, mix the melted butter with the light brown sugar until well combined and smooth.
  3. Add eggs, molasses, and vanilla: Stir in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the molasses and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
  4. Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the 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 the batter is smooth and uniform.
  6. Bake the brownies: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake for 28-33 minutes. The edges should be set and the center no longer jiggly.
  7. Cool brownies: Remove from oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
  8. Prepare frosting base: While brownies cool, whisk together milk and flour in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook and whisk constantly for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
  9. Cool frosting base: Remove from heat and cover with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface to prevent skin formation, letting it cool to room temperature.
  10. Cream butter and sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat room temperature butter and brown sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape the bowl as needed.
  11. Add cooled milk mixture and spices: Add the cooled milk-flour mixture and gingerbread spice mix to the butter mixture and beat on medium-high until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes, scraping sides periodically.
  12. Incorporate vanilla and whip frosting: Switch to the whisk attachment, add vanilla extract, and whip on high for 7-8 minutes until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and light.
  13. Frost the brownies: Spread the prepared frosting evenly over the cooled brownies.
  14. Serve: Slice the brownies and serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
  • Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
  • The gingerbread spice mix typically contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice; adjust to taste.
  • Allow the frosting base to cool properly to avoid lumps.
  • Store frosted brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • If desired, warm the brownies briefly before serving for a soft, gooey texture.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 33 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Gingerbread Brownies, Frosted Brownies, Holiday Dessert, Spiced Brownies, Gingerbread, Ermine Frosting

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