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 just something downright irresistible about a festive treat that combines rich chocolate with a festive twist. This Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe is my go-to when I want brownies that feel special — moist, with a pop of holiday spice and a creamy frosting that perfectly balances sweetness and warmth.

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’ve made plenty of brownies in my day, but these Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe holds a special place at my holiday table. They’re not just another chocolate treat—they feature a lovely chocolate-peppermint flavor with that iconic red velvet look and a frosting that tastes like liquid Christmas.

Festive Flavor Fusion: The peppermint extract blends beautifully with cocoa and red food coloring for that signature red velvet vibe.
Moist & Decadent Texture: Melted butter and chocolate chips keep the brownies fudgy and rich, never dry or crumbly.
Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting: It’s creamy with just the right touch of nutmeg and cinnamon to make you think of cozy holiday evenings.
Versatile Presentation: Cut into classic squares, festive triangles, or use cookie cutters to make these brownies as fun as they are delicious.

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 recipe balances classic baking essentials with holiday-specific flavors that bring out the best in every bite. The ingredients come together in a way that’s simple enough for everyday baking but special enough for gifting or celebrations.

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: Using melted butter keeps the brownies fudgy and rich; make sure it’s not too hot or it will cook the eggs early.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that chewy texture we all crave in brownies.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: The backbone of that deep chocolate flavor; I prefer Dutch-process for smoothness, but natural works, too.
McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out the flavors beautifully.
McCormick Peppermint Extract: Adds the perfect holiday kick without overpowering the chocolate.
Red food coloring: For that vibrant, festive red hue. Gel coloring is ideal as it doesn’t thin your batter.
Flour: Provides the structure, just enough to keep brownies tender but not cakey.
Large eggs: They add moisture and help bind everything nicely.
Baking powder: Gives a slight lift so your brownies aren’t too dense.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors—you don’t want to skip this!
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melting pockets of chocolate throughout make every bite indulgent.
Cream cheese: For that tangy and smooth frosting base, softened at room temp for easy mixing.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting without graininess.
Eggnog: Infuses frosting with classic holiday spice and creaminess; add more or less to get your perfect spreadable consistency.
Ground cinnamon & ground nutmeg: Warm spices that complement the eggnog and peppermint flavors.

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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 my favorite things about this Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I like to tweak things based on the crowd or the occasion, and you should too—there’s no one way to enjoy these brownies!

Variation: For a less peppermint-forward taste, I sometimes swap the peppermint extract for orange zest—gives a fresh twist that pairs wonderfully with the eggnog frosting.
Dairy-free version: You can substitute vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives; just be mindful that the frosting might need a little extra powdered sugar or plant-based eggnog to get the right texture.
Spice it up: Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the brownie batter gives a surprising but delicious contrast if you’re feeling adventurous.

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 aluminum foil, leaving a little overhang. This makes it super easy to lift the brownies out later without any sticking—trust me, it’s a game-changer! Give the pan a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray to be safe.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Keeping these dry ingredients ready means your batter will come together quickly and evenly when you add them in.

Step 3: Whisk Wet Ingredients and Sugar

In a large bowl, mix your melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and red food coloring until everything is smooth and well combined. This is the base that gives the brownies their luscious texture and color, so don’t rush it.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Combine

Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing just until each one is incorporated before adding the next. Over-mixing here can make brownies tough, so keep it gentle. Once eggs are combined, fold in the dry flour mixture, just enough to blend — no one wants flour pockets, but don’t overwork it either.

Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Bake

Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips gently, then pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes. You'll know it's done when the edges look set, but the center still feels slightly soft — that’s brownie perfection!

Step 6: Prepare Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

While the brownies cool completely, beat together softened cream cheese and butter with 2 tablespoons of eggnog and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar until you achieve a spreadable frosting consistency. Finally, stir in cinnamon and nutmeg — this simple step gives your frosting that classic holiday warmth.

Step 7: Frost and Serve

Once the brownies are fully cool, spread the eggnog cream cheese frosting evenly on top. You can cut into tempting squares, or get creative with festive shapes using cookie cutters. Sharing these at my holiday parties always makes me smile — everyone loves the combination!

Top Tip

From my experience making this Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe multiple times, a few little details can really boost your success and flavor every time.

Use Melted Butter at Room Temperature: Make sure your melted butter has cooled a bit so it doesn’t cook the eggs when you add them; that’s why I usually melt it first and let it sit while prepping other ingredients.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Fold just until the flour disappears to keep brownies tender and fudgy instead of tough or cakey.
Cool Completely Before Frosting: Frosting will melt right off if your brownies are still warm—patience is key here, and it’s worth the wait.
Customize the Spices: Feel free to adjust nutmeg and cinnamon in your frosting; I like mine a little spicier, but it’s all up to your taste buds!

How to Serve Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe

Red Velvet Brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

One thing I love is topping these brownies with a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies or a dusting of cocoa powder — adds a festive flair and a delightful crunch that guests really enjoy.

Side Dishes

Pairing these brownies with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a cup of rich hot cocoa takes the experience over the top, especially on chilly winter nights.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to arrange the brownies on a festive platter lined with holly leaves or tucked inside a cedar-lined box — making them look as special as they taste. Using cookie cutters to make Christmas tree or star shapes always gets compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After frosting, I store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, then pop them in the fridge to keep fresh longer. This way, the frosting stays perfectly creamy and the brownies maintain that fudgy texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen unfrosted brownies before by wrapping them tightly in plastic and foil. When thawing, I frost them just before serving to keep the frosting fresh without sogginess. Freezing the frosted ones tends to dull the frosting’s texture.

Reheating

If you want to warm a brownie after refrigeration, a 10-second zap in the microwave softens it nicely without melting the frosting — just watch carefully to avoid overheating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the peppermint extract in the Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe?

Absolutely! You can replace peppermint extract with vanilla or orange extract to change the flavor profile, or omit it altogether for a classic red velvet brownie taste.

How long will these red velvet brownies stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these brownies stay fresh for about 2 days. If refrigerated, they can last up to 5 days, but be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.

Can I make the eggnog cream cheese frosting ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the frosting a day in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Before frosting the brownies, let it come to room temperature and give it a quick whisk to restore smoothness.

What’s the best way to cut these brownies into festive shapes?

I find letting the brownies cool completely first is essential. Then, use sturdy cookie cutters for clean shapes. For easier handling, chill the frosted brownies slightly so the frosting firms up, preventing mess when cutting.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe has become a holiday tradition of mine because it hits all the right notes — a little festive, a little indulgent, and totally comforting. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do; they have a way of bringing smiles and cozy vibes every time. So grab your apron, turn on some holiday tunes, and treat yourself and your loved ones to these deliciously festive brownies!