Jolly Gingerbread Brownies Recipe: Holiday Magic in Every Bite

Chocolate swirls dance with warm gingerbread spices in this festive brownies recipe that promises pure holiday magic.

Winter celebrations call for decadent desserts that spark joy at every bite.

Rich cocoa meets classic gingerbread flavors, creating a perfect harmony of sweet and spicy notes.

Deep, fudgy brownie layers meld seamlessly with traditional holiday warmth.

Fragrant cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg weave through each delectable square, transforming an ordinary treat into something extraordinary.

These brownies deliver comfort and cheer with every single crumb.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom around your table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 298 kcal

Servings: 16

What Goes into the Gingerbread Brownies Recipe

For Wet Ingredients: .

• Butter: Provides rich, velvety texture and helps bind ingredients together.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and moisture to the brownies.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances overall sweetness and helps create crisp edges.
• Eggs: Acts as a binding agent and creates structure in the brownie.
• Molasses: Delivers signature gingerbread warmth and deep, complex flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Boosts and rounds out the overall flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the fundamental structure of the brownie.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate depth and rich color.
• Ground Ginger: Provides signature warming, spicy gingerbread note.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds sweet, aromatic warmth typical of holiday baking.
• Ground Cloves: Introduces subtle, intense spice complexity.
• Ground Nutmeg: Contributes delicate, nutty undertone to the spice blend.
• Salt: Balances and enhances all the other flavors.

• White Chocolate Chips: Offers creamy, sweet contrast to the spicy base.
• Chopped Nuts: Provides delightful crunch and additional texture variation.

Gear You Need for Gingerbread Brownies

• 8×8-inch baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect brownie size and shape.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients smoothly.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for sifting and mixing dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend wet ingredients to a smooth consistency.
• Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Creates lump-free dry ingredient mixture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Spatula: Helps mix batter and spread evenly in the pan.
• Toothpick: Checks brownie doneness by testing center.

How to Make Gingerbread Brownies from Scratch

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350F and prep an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting edges hang over for easy brownie rescue.

• Whip Wet Magic

Grab a big bowl and blend melted butter, sugars, eggs, molasses, and vanilla until silky smooth, creating a rich dark base.

• Blend Dry Wonders

In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa, warm spices like ginger and cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until perfectly combined.

• Create Brownie Batter

Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently until just incorporated. Optional: Toss in white chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra excitement.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Slide into hot oven and bake 25-30 minutes until toothpick reveals moist, fudgy crumbs.

• Finish with Flair

Allow brownies to cool completely in pan. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with festive icing for a showstopping dessert.

Spices and Tips to Elevate Your Gingerbread Brownies

• Spice Intensity Adjustment: Dial up or down the ginger and spices based on personal preference, ensuring a perfect balance that suits your taste buds.
• Gluten-Free Transformation: Swap regular flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend to make these brownies safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan-Friendly Hack: Replace eggs with mashed bananas or commercial egg replacer, and use dairy-free butter to create a delicious plant-based version of the brownie.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These brownies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container, perfect for advance party prep or unexpected sweet cravings.
• Texture Tweak: For extra fudgy brownies, reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes and let them cool completely before cutting, which helps maintain a rich, moist interior.

Presentation Tips for Gingerbread Brownies

• Festive Frosting Finale: Top these gingerbread brownies with cream cheese frosting swirled with a hint of molasses for an extra decadent holiday treat.
• Seasonal Scoop Companion: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or cinnamon gelato to complement the warm spices and rich chocolate notes.
• Elegant Presentation Trick: Cut into small diamond or triangular shapes for an upscale dessert platter, garnishing with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or edible gold sprinkles.
• Holiday Gift Potential: Package in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon as a homemade gift, perfect for neighbors, teachers, or holiday gatherings.

Store Gingerbread Brownies the Right Way

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their rich, moist texture and preventing them from drying out.
• Freezing Wisdom: Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to keep for 2-3 months, perfect for unexpected sweet cravings or last-minute dessert needs.
• Room Temperature Magic: Keep brownies at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, ensuring they stay soft and delectable without compromising their gingerbread flavor profile.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the brownie batter a day ahead and refrigerate, allowing the spices to meld and intensify, creating an even more complex and deep flavor when baked.

Festive Gingerbread Brownies Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Irresistible gingerbread brownies blend classic chocolate richness with warm holiday spices. Rich molasses and ginger create a delectable dessert perfect for winter celebrations and festive gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (180 ml) molasses
• 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (65 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (175 g) dark chocolate chips or chunks
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 2 tsps ground ginger
• 1 ½ tsps ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Drizzle of white chocolate
• Crushed gingerbread cookies for extra crunch

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, extending edges for easy removal.
2. Wet Mixture Creation: Whisk melted butter, brown and granulated sugars, eggs, molasses, and vanilla until smooth and fully incorporated, creating a glossy liquid base.
3. Dry Ingredient Combination: Sift together flour, cocoa powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt, ensuring even distribution of spices and eliminating potential lumps.
4. Batter Assembly: Merge wet and dry ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Fold in white chocolate chips or nuts if desired, maintaining a light touch to preserve batter’s delicate texture.
5. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge with minimal moist crumbs.
6. Cooling and Finishing: Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan, enabling them to set. Once cooled, lift out using parchment edges, slice into squares, and optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with icing.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently and minimally to maintain a tender, fudgy brownie texture without developing tough gluten strands.
• Spice Balance Matters: Adjust warming spices like ginger and cinnamon according to personal taste, ensuring they complement rather than overwhelm the chocolate’s richness.
• Check Oven Accuracy: Use an oven thermometer to verify actual temperature, as variations can significantly impact brownie texture and baking time.
• Moisture Retention Trick: Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan, which helps them set and locks in that coveted moist, dense consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg