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Frosted Gingerbread Brownies Recipe


  • Author: Matteo
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 9 servings 1x

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

  1. 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.
  2. Combine butter and brown sugar: In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and packed light brown sugar until well combined and smooth.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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