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 magical about the rich, moist texture of red velvet paired with a creamy, festive frosting. This Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe takes that cozy feeling to a whole new level—perfect for holiday gatherings or whenever you want a bite of something truly special.

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

This recipe is one of my absolute favorites to make during the holidays — it combines the classic red velvet flavor with a surprise twist of peppermint and rich eggnog frosting. Honestly, it feels like a festive party in every bite, and I never get tired of the balance between the brownie’s fudgy texture and the creamy, lightly spiced frosting.

Unique Flavor Combination: The peppermint and eggnog flavors add a delightful holiday twist that makes these brownies stand out from your usual dessert.
Moist and Fudgy Texture: These brownies manage to be rich without being dry, thanks to a perfect balance of butter, cocoa, and eggs.
Fun to Customize: Whether you cut them into Christmas tree shapes or classic squares, these brownies are easy to personalize for any occasion.
Eggnog Frosting That’s Not Overwhelming: The cream cheese frosting with just a hint of eggnog and warm spices ties the entire dessert together beautifully.

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

Each ingredient here plays a crucial role in both flavor and texture, helping you achieve that classic red velvet taste with a holiday flair. Plus, knowing what each ingredient does can make shopping and prep feel less like a chore and more like setting yourself up for success!

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 adds richness and moisture — crucial for fudgy brownies.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and balances the cocoa’s bitterness without overpowering.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds deep chocolate flavor; I always recommend Dutch-processed for smoothness.
McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with that warm, familiar note.
McCormick Peppermint Extract: Just the right amount gives a festive kick without overpowering the chocolate.
Red Food Coloring: This is what gives the brownies their iconic red hue — I love gel coloring for vibrant color without thinning the batter.
Flour: Provides structure; be sure to spoon and level it for accuracy to avoid dense brownies.
Eggs: They’re essential for binding and a tender crumb.
Baking Powder & Salt: Helps with leavening and balances the sweetness.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Adds melty pockets of chocolate throughout — a total game changer!
Cream Cheese (for frosting): Softened to room temp, it brings that creamy tang that pairs perfectly with eggnog.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting, ensuring it spreads smoothly.
Eggnog: Adds warmth and a festive note; just a little goes a long way.
Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Spice up the frosting with classic holiday warmth.

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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 playing around with how festive I want these brownies to be. Sometimes I amp up the peppermint for a stronger holiday vibe, other times I keep it subtle so the eggnog frosting really shines. Feel free to tweak it to your taste—these brownies are basically a blank canvas for your holiday mood.

Variation: I once swapped out peppermint extract for orange zest and a splash of Grand Marnier—turned out just as stunning for a New Year's twist! Try making mini versions in a muffin tin for bite-sized treats.

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

Step 1: Prep Like a Pro

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil with a little overhang—that’s my trick to easily lift the brownies out later without any crumbling. I lightly spray the lining with nonstick spray so the brownies come out perfectly smooth.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

Whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution and helps avoid pockets of baking powder or salt in the final brownies.

Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients and Sugar

In a large bowl, vigorously whisk melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, peppermint extract, and red food coloring until fully combined. I like to take a moment here to really mix well so the batter’s color and aroma are just right—peppermint instantly puts me in the holiday spirit!

Step 4: Add Eggs One at a Time

Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated after each addition. This keeps the batter smooth without overworking the eggs, which can lead to tougher brownies.

Step 5: Fold in Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the flour mixture until just combined—no overmixing! Then fold in the chocolate chips, teasing little pockets of melty chocolate throughout the batter. This fold-in step is where your brownies really start to come together.

Step 6: Bake and Cool Completely

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes. I always start checking at around 30 minutes using a toothpick—it should come out with a few moist crumbs, never wet batter. Let the brownies cool completely before frosting; this is key to avoid the frosting melting and sliding off.

Step 7: Make the Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat softened cream cheese, butter, eggnog, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating until fluffy—add a bit more eggnog if you want a softer frosting. Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg for that authentic holiday flavor punch.

Step 8: Frost and Celebrate

Once brownies have completely cooled, spread the eggnog frosting evenly on top. I like to cut mine into big squares for sharing, but around Christmas, I use cookie cutters to make festive shapes like trees and stars — such a fun way to impress guests!

Top Tip

After making these Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting a dozen times, I’ve picked up a few tricks to get them just right, so you don’t have to learn the hard way like me!

Measuring Flour Accurately: Be sure to spoon the flour into your measuring cup instead of scooping—it keeps brownies from getting dense and dry.
Don’t Overmix Batter: When folding in dry ingredients, stir until just combined to keep your brownies tender and fudgy.
Let Brownies Cool Completely: Patience here pays off—the frosting goes on smoothly and holds its shape better.
Customize Frosting Consistency: Adjust eggnog quantity to get the perfect spreadable frosting without being runny.

How to Serve Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe

Red Velvet Brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep it simple with a light dusting of festive red and green sprinkles or crushed candy canes for a little crunch and color—totally optional but adds that extra holiday cheer I love. Sometimes a sprinkle of edible gold dust makes it feel extra special for holiday parties.

Side Dishes

These brownies pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of hot cocoa or peppermint-spiced coffee. If you’re feeling indulgent, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is a dreamy sidekick that helps balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve served these on holiday dessert platters surrounded by fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs for a rustic look. For parties, try stacking them like little gift boxes, tied up with a pretty ribbon—guests always comment on how cute and festive they look!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These brownies keep best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days—any longer, I recommend refrigerating to keep the frosting fresh. Always use the parchment overlap to lift them out easily without damage.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen unfrosted brownies in a tightly sealed container or wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost freshly for the best texture and flavor.

Reheating

If you want a warm brownie, pop individual pieces in the microwave for 10-15 seconds (careful not to melt the frosting). This little warmth brings out the chocolate chips’ gooeyness without sacrificing frosting texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s meant for baking. Just be sure it includes xanthan gum or add some to help bind the batter properly.

What’s the best way to store these brownies?

Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge to maintain the freshness of the eggnog cream cheese frosting.

Can I use regular milk instead of eggnog in the frosting?

Yes, you can substitute regular milk or cream if you don’t have eggnog. Keep in mind that you’ll miss out on the signature holiday spice flavor, so consider adding a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to mimic that festive taste.

How do I get the red velvet color so vibrant?

Using gel-based red food coloring is your best bet; it provides a more intense color without watering down the batter. Be sure to mix it well so the color is evenly distributed throughout the brownies.

Final Thoughts

These Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting are more than just a dessert—they’re a celebration of the holidays rolled into a fudgy, flavorful treat that’s easy to make and fun to share. I hope this recipe brings you as much joy and warmth as it’s brought me and my friends around the kitchen table. Give it a try—you’ll find it quickly becomes a new festive favorite in no time!