Description
Delight in these moist and warmly spiced Frosted Gingerbread Brownies, featuring a rich molasses-infused brownie base topped with a creamy gingerbread ermine frosting. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy treats any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
Gingerbread 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 (typically a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal, and set aside.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and light brown sugar. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the molasses and vanilla extract until combined.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and kosher salt until evenly mixed.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredient bowl, stirring continuously until just combined and there are no visible streaks of flour.
- 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 a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Brownies: Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan before applying frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting.
- Prepare the Milk and Flour Mixture for Frosting: While the brownies cool, whisk together the whole milk and flour in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens to a very thick pudding consistency that coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
- Cool the Milk Mixture: Transfer the thickened mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent skin formation, and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the room-temperature butter and light brown sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Milk Mixture and Spices: Add the cooled milk-flour mixture and gingerbread spice mix to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until the frosting becomes light and fluffy, scraping down the bowl intermittently.
- Incorporate Vanilla and Whisk: Switch to the whisk attachment on high speed, add the vanilla extract, and whip the frosting for 7-8 minutes until smooth, creamy, and spreadable.
- Frost the Brownies: Spread the gingerbread ermine frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- Ensure brownies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting and sogginess.
- Gingerbread spice mix can be substituted with a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves if unavailable.
- Use room temperature eggs and butter for best texture and easier mixing.
- The frosting takes several minutes to whip properly; patience ensures a light, fluffy finish.
- Store frosted brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute butter with vegan butter and milk with plant-based milk, adjusting flour as needed in frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: gingerbread brownies, frosted brownies, holiday dessert, gingerbread frosting, ermine frosting, baked brownies, molasses brownies
