Description
Delight in these rich and tender Frosted Gingerbread Brownies, combining the spicy warmth of gingerbread with a creamy, fluffy gingerbread ermine frosting. Perfect for festive occasions or any time you crave a cozy, holiday-inspired treat, these brownies boast a moist texture from molasses and warming spices, topped with a luscious, velvety frosting that perfectly complements the gingerbread flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
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 (a blend typically including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside for easy removal of the brownies.
- Combine butter and brown sugar: In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and packed light brown sugar until well combined and smooth.
- Mix in eggs, molasses, and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each. Stir in the molasses and vanilla extract until fully blended.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and kosher salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the butter and egg mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until no streaks of flour remain and the batter is smooth.
- Bake the brownies: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 28-33 minutes or until the edges are set and the center no longer jiggles when you gently shake the pan.
- Cool completely: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and sliding off.
- Prepare gingerbread ermine frosting – cook milk and flour: While brownies cool, whisk together the 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-like consistency that coats the back of a spoon without lumps.
- Cool the milk mixture: Remove from heat and cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent skin formation. Let it cool completely to room temperature.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the room-temperature butter and packed light brown sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add cooled milk mixture and spice blend: 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, mixing thoroughly and scraping the bowl as needed.
- Add vanilla and aerate frosting: Switch to the whisk attachment and add vanilla extract. Beat on high speed for 7-8 minutes until the frosting becomes smooth, creamy, and fluffy.
- Frost the brownies: Spread the gingerbread ermine frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to ensure even mixing and optimal texture.
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the cooked milk mixture to avoid a skin forming on the frosting base.
- The gingerbread spice mix typically includes cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves; you can adjust the blend to taste or use pre-made spice blends.
- Make sure brownies are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- This frosting takes several minutes to become fluffy, so be patient for best texture.
- For a deeper molasses flavor, you can substitute dark molasses, adjusting sweetness accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: gingerbread brownies, ermine frosting, holiday dessert, gingerbread spice, festive brownies, moist brownies, ginger dessert
