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 all-purpose 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

Nothing spells festive comfort quite like rich, fudgy brownies with a seasonal twist. The Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe blends the classic allure of velvety chocolate and red velvet flavor with the holiday warmth of spiced eggnog frosting—making it an irresistible treat you'll want to share (or maybe keep all to yourself!).

A close-up of a triangular chocolate brownie shaped like a Christmas tree with three layers: the bottom dark brown brownie layer is rough and crumbly; the middle thick white cream layer covers the brownie evenly; the top layer is bright green glossy icing shaped like a tree, decorated with colorful round candy pieces in red, blue, yellow, and orange, and sprinkled with green sugar crystals. A small red and white candy stick is placed at the tree's base to look like a trunk. The treats sit on a white marbled surface with more decorated brownies blurred in the background, some with red and white icing. 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 those joyful accidents that started off as a way to jazz up traditional brownies for the holidays—and ended up a new favorite for me and my friends. The combo of peppermint and chocolate with that creamy eggnog frosting? Pure magic. You don’t need to be a pro baker to pull these off, but they look and taste like you went all out.

Festive Flavor Fusion: The blend of peppermint extract and eggnog frosting adds a holiday vibe like nothing else.
Texture That Delights: Fudgy, dense brownies with smooth cream cheese frosting make every bite melt-in-your-mouth.
Simple Yet Impressive: You don’t need any fancy tools or complex steps—just straightforward baking with a wow factor.
Versatile Presentation: Cut them into festive shapes or classic squares—the perfect holiday party centerpiece!

There is one square brownie with three layers stacked: a thick dark brown base that looks moist and crumbly, topped with a smooth pale cream layer of frosting, and finished with a red jelly shaped like a spider web covering the top, with shiny texture. Behind it are several more brownies decorated with colorful toppings including red jelly, white frosting with red and green sprinkles, and multicolored candy sprinkles. They are on a white marbled surface with a silver knife and a red-striped cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe plays a key role in building its signature flavor and texture. Choosing good quality cocoa and fresh extracts makes a noticeable difference, and don’t skip the peppermint—it’s that subtle holiday surprise that lifts the whole brownie.

Flat lay of a small mound of unsalted butter sticks, a white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a white ceramic bowl holding unsweetened cocoa powder, a tiny white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a tiny white bowl of clear peppermint extract, a small white bowl containing red liquid food coloring, a white ceramic bowl with all-purpose flour, four large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a white ceramic bowl with baking powder, a white ceramic bowl with fine salt, a small pile of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a white ceramic bowl of cream cheese softened and creamy, a few small chunks of unsalted butter softened, a white ceramic bowl heaped with powdered sugar, a tiny white bowl filled with smooth eggnog, a tiny white bowl of ground cinnamon powder, a tiny white bowl of ground nutmeg powder, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed 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 first helps the sugar dissolve and keeps the brownies super fudgy.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and works with butter to create a rich texture.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Provides deep chocolate flavor without extra sweetness.
McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the brownies and frosting.
McCormick Peppermint Extract: The holiday twist that makes these brownies festive.
Red Food Coloring: Gives the classic vibrant red velvet look—feel free to use gel for brighter color without thinning batter.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure builder ensuring the brownies have the perfect cakey yet fudgy texture.
Large Eggs: Bind ingredients and add richness; adding one at a time helps with even mixing.
Baking Powder: Gives a gentle lift so brownies aren't too dense.
Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies chocolate flavor.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Melty pockets of chocolate in every bite.
Cream Cheese (softened): Perfect tangy base for the smooth eggnog frosting.
Powdered Sugar: For that silky frosting texture without any grittiness.
Eggnog: Adds moisture and signature seasonal spices to the frosting.
Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Warm spices that give the frosting a cozy holiday feel.

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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

One of the things I love about this recipe is how flexible it is—you can tweak it to fit your flavor preferences or dietary needs without losing that festive charm. I usually stick to the basics but sometimes swap out the peppermint extract for orange when I want a fresh twist.

Variation: For a dairy-free version, I’ve used vegan cream cheese and coconut milk instead of traditional cream cheese and eggnog—still delicious and just as creamy.
Spice Swap: If peppermint isn’t your thing, try adding orange zest or a splash of almond extract for different holiday vibes.
Shape Fun: Cutting the brownies into Christmas trees or stars with cookie cutters is a hit at parties—kids love it!

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, letting the edges hang over the sides. This makes it way easier to lift the whole batch out later. Spritz lightly with nonstick spray so nothing sticks. While the oven warms, mix your dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—in a bowl and set it aside.

Step 2: Whip Up the Brownie Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, peppermint extract, and red food coloring until smooth and shiny. The red color really pops here—be generous! Add eggs one at a time, beating just until each is incorporated; overmixing here can lead to dense brownies, so be gentle. Fold in your dry mixture until just combined, then stir in those chocolate chips for extra melty goodness.

Step 3: Bake and Cool Completely

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, but start checking at 30; you want brownies that pull away slightly from the edges but are still fudgy in the center. Remove from oven and let them cool completely—this part is key because warm brownies will melt your frosting messily.

Step 4: Mix the Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

While the brownies cool, beat softened cream cheese, butter, 2 tablespoons of eggnog, and vanilla until smooth and light. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing as you go, then sprinkle in cinnamon and nutmeg. If the frosting feels too thick, add a splash more eggnog. If it’s too thin, toss in a bit more powdered sugar until it spreads easily but still holds its shape.

Step 5: Frost and Serve

Once the brownies are completely cool, spread your eggnog frosting evenly over the top. Here’s a trick I use to get a smooth finish: dip your spatula in hot water, dry it off, and smooth the frosting in long, even strokes. Cut into fun shapes or classic squares and get ready for happy smiles!

Top Tip

From my experience, the biggest difference in these Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe comes from letting things cool completely before frosting and taking care not to overmix. Here’s what helped me nail it every time:

Parchment Paper Lift: Lining your pan with overhanging parchment saves your sanity—you lift the whole slab out for cutting without the edges crumbling.
Don’t Skip Peppermint: The peppermint pairs so well with chocolate and eggnog; it makes these brownies taste truly festive.
Temperature Matters: Always ensure brownies are fully cooled before frosting to avoid melting and a messy finish.
Mix Gently: Overmixing batter after adding eggs or flour can create tough brownies—fold just until combined.

How to Serve Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe

Red Velvet Brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a few festive touches on top like crushed peppermint candies, a light dusting of cinnamon, or even a few chocolate shavings. These little extras don’t just look pretty—they add a subtle crunch or spice layer that makes each bite more exciting. Plus, they’re a great way to make these brownies party-ready without extra fuss.

Side Dishes

This Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe stands beautifully on its own, but I love pairing it with a warm cup of spiced cider or a creamy eggnog latte. If you’re serving at a holiday gathering, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream alongside turns this into a dessert everyone swoons over.

Creative Ways to Present

When I make these for holiday parties, I sometimes cut them into holiday shapes using cookie cutters—like stars, Christmas trees, or gift boxes—and arrange them on a pretty platter with some fresh holly and pine sprigs. It makes the table pop and guests always ask for the recipe. You could even stack a few squares and skewer them with a festive toothpick for a brownie “pop” if you want to take it up a notch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. After that, I pop them in the fridge to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh without hardening the brownies too much. Just bring them back to room temp before serving so the frosting softens nicely.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these brownies, I recommend freezing them unfrosted first—wrap the cooled brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then foil to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready, thaw completely and prepare the eggnog frosting fresh. The frosting doesn’t freeze well, so this method keeps the taste and texture spot-on.

Reheating

For a warm, just-baked feel, I heat single brownie pieces in the microwave for 10-15 seconds—just enough to soften without melting the frosting too much. If they’ve been refrigerated, let them sit out for about 30 minutes first for the best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of peppermint?

Absolutely! Using just vanilla extract will give you classic red velvet brownies without the minty twist. If you want a festive hint, try adding a small amount of orange zest instead.

How do I make the frosting less sweet?

Reduce the powdered sugar gradually while mixing to your taste. You can also add a little more cream cheese or eggnog to balance out the sweetness.

Can I substitute the eggnog in the frosting?

Yes! If you prefer, use whole milk or a dairy-free milk of your choice with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg to mimic eggnog's flavor.

What’s the best way to get a vibrant red color?

Gel food coloring tends to give a more intense color without thinning your batter. Using bright red gel and stirring gently will make your brownies pop with that beautiful red velvet look.

Final Thoughts

I truly adore this Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe because it captures all the cozy, festive feelings of the holiday season in one bite. It’s fun, flavorful, and easy enough to whip up on a whim or for a special occasion. I hope when you make these, you find yourself smiling as much as I do—maybe even sneaking a second piece or two. Go on, make them your own and spread some seasonal sweetness!