Peppermint Shortbread Brownie Layer Bars
Get ready to celebrate the holiday season with these delectable Peppermint Shortbread Brownie Layer Bars. Each bite offers a rich, fudgy brownie layered atop buttery shortbread, all beautifully infused with refreshing peppermint. Perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in, these bars are sure to become a festive favorite that brings smiles and sweet memories.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- For the shortbread base, mix softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy. Add vanilla extract and flour; blend into a soft dough.
- Press the shortbread mixture evenly into the baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
- For the brownie layer, combine melted butter and brown sugar, then stir in cocoa powder, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in flour gently.
- Mix in peppermint extract and pour brownie batter over the baked shortbread layer.
- Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean with fudgy crumbs.
- Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Use room temperature butter for better mixing. Don’t overbake; brownies should stay fudgy in the center. Customize flavors by swapping peppermint extract for almond or vanilla.