Name: Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter melted (2 sticks); 2 cups granulated sugar; 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract; 1 teaspoon McCormick Peppermint Extract; 1 tablespoon red food coloring; 1 cup flour; 4 large eggs; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 4 oz. cream cheese softened to room temperature; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened at room temperature; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons eggnog plus more as needed; 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract; 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon McCormick Ground Nutmeg

There's something magically festive about combining rich, chocolaty red velvet with the creamy spice of eggnog. This Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe brings together that joyful holiday spirit in every bite, making it a must-bake for cozy gatherings and special celebrations.

A Christmas tree shaped brownie with three layers: the bottom layer is a dark brown, moist brownie; the middle layer is a smooth white frosting; the top layer is bright green icing applied in a tree shape with rough edges, decorated with round colorful candy pieces in red, yellow, blue, and orange, and sprinkled with green sugar crystals for sparkle. The brownie rests on a white marbled surface surrounded by other holiday-themed brownies with red and white icing and sprinkles in the background, slightly out of focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe — the peppermint and eggnog combo instantly transported me to joyful holiday moments. It’s a fantastic bake that’s both familiar and fresh, and I guarantee you’ll want to make it again and again.

Festive Flavor Fusion: The blend of peppermint, red velvet, and eggnog spices creates a unique taste that’s perfect for holiday cheer.
Moist and Rich Texture: These brownies stay fudgy and tender, thanks to melted butter and just the right balance of ingredients.
Versatile Presentation: You can cut them into fun shapes to suit any party vibe, making them as decorative as they are delicious.
Easy to Frost and Store: The eggnog cream cheese frosting is simple to make and keeps well, so you can prepare these ahead.

A square brownie with three layers is shown close up. The bottom layer is dark brown and crumbly chocolate cake. The middle layer is smooth, thick white frosting spread evenly. The top layer is a bright red syrup or gel drizzled in a pattern that looks like a spider web covering the white frosting. The background is a white marbled surface with more brownies decorated with white frosting and colorful sprinkles and candy. There is a silver fork with a red and white striped napkin on the corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe relies on classic ingredients blended with special touches like peppermint extract and eggnog spices to build those memorable flavors. Each element plays a key role—from the texture of the brownies to the creamy frosting that finishes them with flair.

Flat lay of unsalted butter sticks with a golden sheen, a small white bowl of granulated sugar, a small white bowl filled with rich unsweetened cocoa powder, a small white bowl holding bright red food coloring, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, four large brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl containing creamy softened cream cheese, a small white bowl of softened unsalted butter, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, a small white bowl of smooth eggnog, and small white bowls with ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg powders, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Melting it brings moistness and richness, essential for fudgy brownies.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the batter evenly and helps create that tender crumb.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds deep chocolate flavor without extra sweetness, balancing the frosting.
McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract: Boosts the overall flavor depth in both brownies and frosting.
McCormick Peppermint Extract: Adds a cool festive note that’s subtle yet unmistakable—I always start with a teaspoon to not overwhelm.
Red Food Coloring: Gives that classic vibrant hue—use gel food coloring for more vivid color without thinning the batter.
Flour: The structure-builder—measure carefully to avoid dry brownies.
Large Eggs: Bind everything and add moisture.
Baking Powder: Balances texture with a subtle lift, so brownies aren’t too dense or flat.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy notes.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Surprise pockets of melted chocolate—my secret indulgence in this recipe.
Cream Cheese (for frosting): Softened for creamy, tangy frosting that balances sweetness.
Powdered Sugar: For a smooth, lump-free frosting.
Eggnog: Infuses seasonal spice and creaminess into the frosting—start with two tablespoons and adjust for your ideal texture.
Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Classic eggnog spices that add warmth and festive aroma.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe is — you can tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs without losing its festive charm. For example, adding more peppermint extract amps up the holiday vibe, while reducing the cinnamon makes it more subtle if you prefer.

Variation: Once, I swapped out the peppermint extract for orange zest and a splash of Grand Marnier—it transformed the frosting into a zesty delight that wowed my guests.
Dietary Mod: If you want a dairy-free version, try vegan cream cheese and butter substitutes; just watch the frosting consistency.
Seasonal Twist: You can skip the peppermint and use pure vanilla extract in the brownies for a year-round treat with the festive frosting.
Difficulty Level: This recipe is beginner-friendly, but my tip is to not overmix the batter once you add the flour to keep it tender.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan & Dry Ingredients

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil that overhangs the sides—trust me, lifting the brownies out later for cutting is so much easier! Lightly spray the pan to prevent sticking. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This keeps the dry ingredients ready to fold in smoothly once your wet mixture is good to go.

Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients & Build the Batter

In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and red food coloring until everything combines into a glossy red mixture. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until each is incorporated—overmixing can make the brownies tough, so go easy. Then fold in your dry ingredients gently until you no longer see flour streaks. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips for those melty sweet pockets throughout.

Step 3: Bake & Cool Your Brownies

Pour the batter evenly into your prepped pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes—but here’s a trick: start checking at 28 minutes with a toothpick inserted in the center. You want it to come out with just a few moist crumbs, not completely clean. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan; this step is crucial because frosting warm brownies will melt your frosting and create a mess.

Step 4: Mix Your Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Add in 2 tablespoons of eggnog and vanilla extract. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, adding more eggnog a teaspoon at a time if the frosting feels too stiff—consistency is key for smooth spreading. Finally, mix in cinnamon and nutmeg for that unmistakable eggnog flavor boost.

Step 5: Frost and Decorate

Once your brownies are cooled completely, spread the frosting evenly over the top. If you want to get festive, use cookie cutters to cut brownies into Christmas trees, stars, or presents before frosting. Or cut simple squares after frosting. Serve immediately or chill to set the frosting for a firmer slice.

Top Tip

After making this recipe a handful of times, I've learned some little tricks that make a big difference when baking these Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting.

Measure Flour Correctly: Use the spoon-and-level method instead of scooping directly from the bag to avoid dense brownies.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add flour, fold gently just until combined; overmixing toughens the crumb.
Chill the Frosting Briefly: If your frosting feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes before spreading to achieve cleaner edges.
Use Parchment Overhang: This simple step saves so much time and hassle when transferring and cutting brownies.

How to Serve Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe

red velvet brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these brownies with a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candy or a light dusting of cinnamon—both add festive crunch and aroma. Sometimes I even add a few chocolate shavings or a drizzle of white chocolate for extra flair.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced latte or hot cocoa—perfect for chilly evenings. For holiday brunch, I like serving it alongside fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a sweet contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I baked these brownies in a heart shape and decorated them with red and green sprinkles for a Christmas party, which was a huge hit! Cutting them into little gift-shaped squares and wrapping with mini festive ribbons also makes them perfect edible presents.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature if I plan to enjoy them within two days; after that, I refrigerate to prolong freshness, especially because of the cream cheese frosting. Make sure they’re covered well to prevent drying out.

Freezing

Freezing is a lifesaver with this recipe! I freeze uncut, frosted brownies in a tightly sealed container with parchment between layers. When thawed in the fridge overnight, they’re nearly as fresh as the day they were baked.

Reheating

If you love your brownies slightly warm, I recommend reheating individual pieces in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This softens the cream cheese frosting without melting it completely—just enough to melt that chocolate chip surprise inside.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of peppermint extract?

Absolutely! You can omit the peppermint extract and still get wonderful flavor from the vanilla and cocoa. The brownies will taste more like classic red velvet.

How do I avoid the frosting being too runny?

Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened but not melting. Gradually add powdered sugar and only as much eggnog as needed to reach a spreadable consistency. Chilling the frosting before spreading can also help it firm up.

Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. Just make sure to measure carefully and expect a slightly different texture, but delicious nonetheless.

What is the best way to cut these brownies into shapes?

I recommend cooling the brownies completely and then using sharp cookie cutters. Lightly flour the cutters to prevent sticking, and press down firmly but gently to keep the shapes intact. Alternatively, cutting squares or triangles with a sharp knife works just as well.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe isn’t just a dessert — it’s a little celebration in every bite. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just because the season calls for a little indulgence, this recipe has become a holiday staple in my kitchen. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your festive go-to too!