Indulge in the delightful world of holiday baking with these irresistible Gingerbread Brownies. Combining the classic fudgy texture of brownies with the comforting and spicy notes of traditional gingerbread, this recipe is sure to be a festive favorite. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy brownie while experiencing the warm flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses that evoke memories of cold winter days. Whether you’re treating yourself or serving guests at a holiday party, these brownies are an absolute must-have on your Christmas dessert table—or whenever you’re craving a sweet and festive fix.
These Gingerbread Brownies are the perfect blend of rich chocolatey goodness and the warm spices that define gingerbread. They are surprisingly easy to make—no mixer needed, just simple mixing, baking, and instant enjoyment. These brownies not only make fantastic use of pantry staples but also offer a versatile canvas for creativity; dress them up with frosting, dusting of powdered sugar, or a scattering of nuts for an additional crunch. They’re perfect for any occasion, bringing holiday cheer to gatherings or serving as a delightful dessert for family dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Brownies
- Festive Flavors: The combination of molasses, ginger, and cinnamon makes for a delightful holiday taste that everyone will love.
- Brownie Texture: With a soft, dense, and chewy finish, these brownies deliver that classic brownie experience.
- Easy to Make: This recipe requires no mixer—just mix the ingredients by hand and pop it in the oven.
- Versatile: Enjoy them plain, or elevate with toppings such as cream cheese frosting or a drizzle of caramel.
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
Before you embark on making your delicious Gingerbread Brownies, it’s essential to prepare your kitchen for a smooth baking experience. Start by gathering all your ingredients and measuring them out in advance. This will streamline your workflow and minimize the risk of forgetting any key components. You will also need a few tools on hand:
- 9×9-inch baking dish: This is the perfect size for achieving the right thickness.
- Parchment paper: Lining your baking dish with parchment will ensure easy removal of the brownies.
- Two mixing bowls: One for wet ingredients and one for dry will help keep your mixing organized.
- Whisk and spatula: These tools are ideal for nicely combining your ingredients without overmixing.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature setting ensures that your brownies cook evenly throughout. While the oven warms up, prepare your baking dish by lining it with parchment paper, allowing for easy removal of the brownies after baking.
Step 2: Prepare Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the melted unsalted butter and light brown sugar until they are well combined and smooth. This mix will serve as the base of your brownie batter. Next, introduce the eggs, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until the mixture is homogeneous and creamy.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Combining these dry ingredients ensures that the spices are evenly dispersed throughout the brownies, giving each bite that signature gingerbread flavor.
Step 4: Mix It All Together
Gradually incorporate your dry mixture into the bowl of wet ingredients, stirring gently but thoroughly until no flour streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix—just combining the ingredients until they form a smooth batter is all you need. It’s this careful mixing that will keep your brownies soft and chewy!
Step 5: Bake the Brownies
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to ensure uniform baking. Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 30–35 minutes. If you’re using a larger 9×13-inch pan, adjust your baking time to 25–30 minutes. The brownies are done when the edges are set and the center is no longer jiggly. Baking times can vary, so keep an eye out!
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. After cooling, dust the top generously with confectioners’ sugar before slicing them into square pieces. Now they’re ready to be enjoyed!
Variations
- Protein: Add in some chopped pecans or walnuts for a buttery crunch, or even mix in chocolate chips for a rich surprise.
- Vegetables: For added nutrition and an interesting twist, consider incorporating shredded zucchini or carrots into the batter.
- Spices: Experiment with spices like nutmeg or cardamom to create your unique gingerbread flavor profile.
Cooking Notes
- For the best texture, be sure not to overbake the brownies. They should look slightly underbaked in the center when you take them out.
- If you prefer a richer flavor, you can swap half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a heavenly dessert experience.
- Pair these brownies with a cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea for a cozy treat.
Tips
- For an added festive flair, drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the brownies before serving.
- Make this recipe ahead of time and store the cooled brownies in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Total Time: 45–50 minutes
Nutritional Information
- Calories: Approximately 210 per brownie
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sugar?
Yes! You can substitute brown sugar with cane sugar, but it may alter the flavor slightly.
How do I store leftover brownies?
Store your brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Can I freeze Gingerbread Brownies?
Absolutely. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
What can I add to enhance the flavor?
Consider mixing in chocolate chips, nuts, or even a touch of espresso powder to deepen the flavor.
Conclusion
These Gingerbread Brownies will undoubtedly become a cherished addition to your holiday baking lineup. Their perfectly balanced flavors evoke the spirit of the season, and the soft brownie texture will have everyone coming back for seconds. Whether served plain or embellished with toppings, they are flexible enough to please anyone’s palate. We encourage you to give this recipe a try and share your experience by leaving a comment below. Happy baking!
Print
Delicious Gingerbread Brownies
- Total Time: 45–50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in the delightful world of holiday baking with these irresistible Gingerbread Brownies.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup unsulfured molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix melted butter and brown sugar until smooth, then stir in eggs, molasses, and vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until no flour streaks remain.
- Pour into prepared dish and bake for 30–35 minutes.
- Cool, dust with sugar, slice, and enjoy!
Notes
For the best texture, be sure not to overbake the brownies. They should look slightly underbaked in the center when you take them out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 210 per brownie
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Protein: 2 g