Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Brownies

Candy cane hot chocolate brownies are recipe #8 of our “24 Days of Christmas” Holiday series where I share 24 recipes over 24 days as a virtual advent countdown to Christmas. Christmas is my favourite holiday, especially when it comes to baking, and I think there are endless creations that we can come up with to reflect the holidays. All 24 holiday recipes will be shared across instagram, tiktok and here on the blog where you can print off the full recipe for your baking pleasure!

The Recipe

These candy cane hot chocolate brownies are fudgey, rich brownies infused with milk chocolate and hot chocolate powder to enrich the flavour. The icing on these is a marshmallow fluff buttercream and we finish these beauties off with crushed candy cane…. need I say more? These brownies are like a cup of hot chocolate in a bite sized goodie and I am absolutely positive you will love them.

The ingredients for the base of these candy cane hot chocolate brownies is all of your classic baking staples; butter, white granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, salt and baking powder. Where things get fun with this recipe is where we use a combination of rich cocoa powder and your favourite hot chocolate mixture to enrich the flavour. We add chunks of your favourite milk chocolate in to the brownie batter before baking for oozing pockets of fudgy goodness in every bite.

The frosting recipe is a pleasant surprise for these brownies with the marshmallow fluff added right in to the buttercream frosting. Top these brownies off with mini marshmallows and crushed candy cane and you have a new family tradition! I am positive you will love this recipe.

Ingredients

I have broken up the ingredients below for the brownie base and the frosting to make it clear and easy to read. I would reccommend making the brownie batter and sticking them in the oven to bake while you work on the frosting. Make sure you let the brownies cool completely before adding the frosting, or it will melt!

For the brownies

• 3/4 cup butter, soft but not melted
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup powdered hot chocolate mix
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate

For the frosting

• 1/2 cup butter room temperature
• 1/2 cup marshmallow fluff
• 2 & 1/4 cup icing sugar
• 3 tbsp milk
• mini marshmallows
• crushed candy canes

Instructions

• Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F and grabbing all of your ingredients that you need for this recipe. Also grab your 8×8″ parchment lined baking dish.
• In an electric mixer, combine your butter and sugar and mix until combined on medium speed.
• Once the butter and sugar have creamed together, add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
• Next, sift your cocoa powder and hot chocolate mix in to the wet mixture on a low speed. Sifting this is helpful to avoid any clumps. Mix until thoroughly combined throughout the batter.
• Next, add in your flour, salt, baking powder and mix well. Once mixed, fold in your chocolate chunks.
• Transfer the batter to your lined baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula. Stick in the oven on the middle rack and bake for 25-28 minutes until a toothpick comes out of the brownies clean.
• While the brownies are baking, make your frosting! Combine the butter, marshmallow fluff, and icing sugar in your electric mixer with the whisk attachment on medium speed until a frosting forms. I typically crush my candy canes finely by adding them to a blender.
• Once your brownies have cooked and cooled, add the frosting and then sprinkle on your mini marshmallows and crushed candy canes. Slice in to 16 even squares and ENJOY!

Why I Love This Recipe

I love these candy cane hot chocolate brownies because I am a chocolate lover! I love anything with rich, chocolatey flavour, and these brownies deliver on every level. I knew that brownies had to exist in my 24 days of Christmas line up, and a candy cane twist on a chocolate dessert is always a good idea!

Storing Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Brownies

If you are wanting to make these ahead of time and freeze them, I would reccomend baking them as directed but not icing them. I would allow them to defrost back to room temperature before frosting when you are ready to enjoy them. These brownies will stay good for a few days on the counter or up to a week in the fridge.

If you love this recipe, check out my double chocolate candy cane cookies here!