Frosted Gingerbread Brownies Recipe
These Frosted Gingerbread Brownies combine the rich, spicy flavors of traditional gingerbread with the fudgy texture of brownies, topped with a creamy and festive Gingerbread Ermine Frosting. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a cozy, spiced dessert.
- Author: Stella
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Category: Brownies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Batter 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, cloves, nutmeg)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Preheat oven and prepare pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine butter and sugar. In a large bowl, mix the melted butter with the packed light brown sugar until well combined.
- Add wet ingredients. Stir in the eggs one at a time, then add molasses and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
- Mix dry ingredients. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and kosher salt until evenly combined.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until the batter is fully incorporated and smooth.
- Bake the brownies. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and bake for 28-33 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (center should not be jiggly).
- Cool the brownies. Remove from oven and allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Prepare the frosting base. While brownies cool, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk and flour. Cook, whisking constantly for 3-5 minutes until the mixture thickens into a very thick pudding and is smooth with no lumps. It should coat the back of a spoon.
- Cool the milk mixture. Remove the saucepan from heat. Transfer the thickened milk mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent skin formation, and let it cool to room temperature.
- Cream butter and sugar. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the room temperature butter and packed brown sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Combine frosting ingredients. Add the cooled milk mixture and gingerbread spice mix to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping down sides as needed.
- Add vanilla and whip frosting. Switch to the whisk attachment. Add vanilla extract and whip on high speed for 7-8 minutes until the frosting becomes smooth, creamy, and spreadable.
- Frost the brownies. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled gingerbread brownies. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- The gingerbread spice mix can typically be made by combining cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves, and nutmeg; adjust proportions to taste.
- Ensure the milk and flour pudding mixture is cooled completely before adding to the butter to prevent melting and separation.
- Line the baking pan with parchment to make removal and slicing easier.
- Brownies continue to set as they cool; avoid overbaking to keep a moist center.
- Store frosted brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keywords: gingerbread brownies, frosted gingerbread brownies, holiday brownies, gingerbread dessert, cinnamon brownies, holiday baking