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 utterly festive and delicious about the Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe. Rich, fudgy, and with a hint of peppermint, these brownies topped with creamy eggnog frosting practically scream holiday cheer. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to treat for every celebration.

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 has quickly become a favorite of mine because it blends the classic red velvet flavor with rich chocolate goodness and a spiced eggnog frosting that’s simply unforgettable. It’s perfect for holiday parties or just a cozy night in with a cup of coffee.

Fudgy and flavorful: The brownies are perfectly moist with just the right kick of peppermint and cocoa.
Eggnog frosting magic: Creamy, smooth, and subtly spiced, it complements the brownies beautifully without overpowering them.
Festive and fun: Whether you cut them into presents, trees, or classic squares, these brownies add a festive touch to any dessert table.
Easy to make: With straightforward steps and pantry-friendly ingredients, you won’t feel overwhelmed or stuck.

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

Every ingredient in the Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe serves a purpose to create balance—rich chocolate, bright red color, and that perfect creamy frosting. Picking the right quality ingredients here really pays off.

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: I love melting it first to mix easily with sugar and cocoa, giving the brownies a smooth, rich texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create that chewy, fudgy brownie texture you want.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: For that deep chocolate flavor without added sweetness.
McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds warmth.
McCormick Peppermint Extract: Adds a subtle festive twist that’s bright but not overwhelming.
Red food coloring: Because red velvet just isn’t red velvet without it! I stick to gel or liquid food coloring for the best color.
Flour: Gives structure without making the brownies cakey.
Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add moisture.
Baking powder: A touch helps with just enough rise and chewiness.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens flavor.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Adding these gives little pockets of melted chocolate goodness in every bite.
Cream cheese (for frosting): Provides tangy creaminess that pairs wonderfully with the eggnog spices.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting smoothly.
Eggnog: The star of the frosting—adds rich, cozy, spiced flavor.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: Give that classic holiday spice vibe to the frosting.

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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 like to make these brownies my own depending on the occasion. Sometimes I skip the peppermint extract if little ones will be eating them, or I add a sprinkle of crushed candy canes on top of the frosting for extra crunch and color.

Variation: One holiday, I swapped peppermint for orange extract—surprisingly, it brought a lovely citrus twist that my guests adored.
Dietary swaps: I've experimented with gluten-free flour blends; just be sure to check for baking powder that’s gluten-free too.
Add-ins: Tossing in chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can add delightful texture if you’re feeling adventurous.

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

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

I preheat my oven to 350°F and line my 9×13 pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over the sides—it makes lifting the brownies out easier after baking. Don’t forget a light spray of nonstick spray so nothing sticks!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures even distribution so your brownies bake perfectly without any salty or powdery pockets.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, I whisk melted butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and red food coloring until it’s smooth and vivid. Slowly add eggs, one by one, beating just until combined after each. This keeps the mixture light yet rich.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Gently fold in the flour mixture, being careful not to overmix. Then stir in the chocolate chips—these little nuggets melt into gooey surprises as it bakes, my favorite part!

Step 5: Bake and Cool Completely

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and bake 30 to 35 minutes. To check, I insert a toothpick near the center—it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Resist the urge to cut them while warm; I promise, waiting makes the frosting easier and the texture better.

Step 6: Whip Up the Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat softened cream cheese, butter, eggnog, and vanilla until silky smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar until the frosting is thick but spreadable. Then, the magic—add ground cinnamon and nutmeg for that festive spice kick. Taste to nudge the flavors as you like!

Step 7: Frost and Decorate

Once brownies are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. I love using an offset spatula for a smooth finish. Here’s where you can have some fun cutting shapes or adding festive toppings.

Top Tip

I’ve made these brownies several times and learned a few things to make them foolproof and utterly delicious every go.

Perfect Melted Butter: Don’t overheat your butter; melt it gently to avoid burning – burnt butter dulls the flavor.
Mixing Eggs Just Right: Beat eggs lightly into the batter to keep brownies dense but moist—overmixing can make them cakey.
Wait to Frost: Patience really pays off! Frosting warm brownies melts and slides off; cool brownies give a neat, luscious finish.
Measuring Flour Correctly: Avoid dense brownies by spooning and leveling flour instead of scooping directly from the bag.

How to Serve Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe

Red Velvet Brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often sprinkle crushed candy canes or a dusting of edible red glitter on top when serving these brownies at holiday parties. It adds sparkle and a fun crunch that guests always notice. Toasted pecans or a few white chocolate shavings look beautiful too!

Side Dishes

These brownies are great on their own, but I love pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a mug of hot cocoa for an indulgent dessert setup. A simple cup of black coffee balances their sweetness perfectly as well.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I cut the brownies into little Christmas tree shapes and arrange them on a platter with sprigs of fresh rosemary to mimic pine branches—it’s such a hit visually and brings festive aromatics to the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. After that, I refrigerate them to keep the frosting fresh. The brownies stay moist and the frosting creamy, perfect for several days.

Freezing

These brownies freeze well! I usually cut them into individual pieces, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, just thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

If I want to reheat a brownie, I microwave it for about 10-15 seconds to warm it without melting the frosting too much. It brings out that fresh-baked feel without drying anything out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe dairy-free?

To make this recipe dairy-free, swap the butter and cream cheese for plant-based alternatives like vegan margarine and dairy-free cream cheese. Also, use a dairy-free eggnog or coconut milk with festive spices to keep the flavor. The texture may vary slightly, but it’s still delicious.

What’s the best way to get the brightest red color in red velvet brownies?

Using gel or liquid red food coloring works best because it’s concentrated and won’t alter the batter’s consistency too much. Also, adding the food coloring to the wet ingredients helps it blend evenly for that vibrant, classic red velvet look.

Can I prepare these brownies ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! You can bake the brownies a day ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Prepare the eggnog frosting separately and frost just before serving for the freshest look and flavor.

How long do Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting keep fresh?

When stored properly in an airtight container, the unfrosted brownies stay fresh for about 3-4 days at room temperature. Once frosted, they’re best enjoyed within 2 days, or refrigerated up to 5 days to keep the frosting from spoiling.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe has quickly made its way into my heart and my holiday traditions. It’s that perfect combination of festive flavors and easy prep that makes any celebration feel more special. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do — it’s one of those recipes where the joy truly comes from making it your own and watching smiles light up around the kitchen.