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 magical about the festive twist in this Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe. Picture tender, rich brownies with that classic red velvet zing, topped with a creamy, spiced eggnog frosting that brings holiday warmth to every bite. Trust me, it’s a treat worth baking again and again.

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

I absolutely adore this recipe because it blends the deep, comforting flavor of red velvet brownies with the unexpected joy of eggnog frosting. It’s like your favorite holiday dessert got a fun makeover—making it both nostalgic and exciting.

Perfect Holiday Flair: The peppermint and rich red velvet flavors paired with eggnog frosting create a festive vibe that’s hard to beat.
Easy Yet Impressive: Despite looking fancy, it’s surprisingly simple to pull off, perfect for any skill level.
Customizable Fun: You can cut these brownies into classic squares or get creative with shapes like Christmas trees—making them a party favorite.
Moist & Flavorful: The chocolate chips add bursts of rich texture, while the frosting balances sweetness with holiday spices.

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

Each ingredient plays a star role in this recipe, coming together to create that perfect balance of deep chocolate, red velvet charm, and creamy, spiced frosting. When picking your ingredients, I recommend high-quality cocoa and fresh extracts—tiny details that really make a huge difference.

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 the butter helps provide a fudgy texture while controlling salt levels lets you adjust seasoning precisely.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps create that tender crumb.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Essential for that rich, chocolatey red velvet base without adding extra moisture.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the flavors beautifully.
Peppermint Extract: This is the secret festive hint that blends perfectly with chocolate and eggnog.
Red Food Coloring: Gives that iconic, vibrant red color you expect from velvet brownies.
Flour: Provides structure; measure carefully for the right density.
Eggs: They bind ingredients and add moisture that keeps brownies luscious.
Baking Powder and Salt: Control the rise and enhance flavor subtly.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: For melty pockets of chocolate that surprise with every bite.
Cream Cheese (for Frosting): Offers tanginess that pairs perfectly with the sweet spices.
Powdered Sugar: Gives frosting its smooth sweetness and easy spreadability.
Eggnog: Infuses the frosting with that unmistakable holiday flavor and adds creaminess.
Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg: Spice it up! These warm spices bring cozy layers 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 love encouraging friends to tweak this recipe because that’s what makes baking joyful. Whether you’re tweaking the frosting or the shape of your brownies, making this recipe your own is half the fun!

Variation: I sometimes swap peppermint extract for orange zest in the brownie batter—it adds a fresh twist that’s just as magical.

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

Step 1: Preparing the Pan and Mixing Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment or foil, letting it overhang a bit—you’ll thank yourself when lifting out the brownies later. Spray lightly with nonstick spray to avoid any sticky surprises. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This keeps your dry ingredients ready to fold in smoothly.

Step 2: Creating the Brownie Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, peppermint extract, and red food coloring until it’s a smooth, vibrant mixture. Then, add your eggs one at a time, stirring just until each is incorporated to keep the batter light and airy. Fold in your dry mix gently—overmixing can make brownies tough—and carefully fold in chocolate chips for those melty surprises.

Step 3: Baking to Perfection

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. The edges should be set but still soft in the center—think fudge, not cake. Let them cool completely so your eggnog frosting doesn’t melt into a gooey mess when applied.

Step 4: Whipping Up That Eggnog Frosting

Beat together softened cream cheese, butter, 2 tablespoons of eggnog, and vanilla until silky smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, adjusting with extra eggnog as needed for a luscious spreadable consistency. Spice it up with cinnamon and nutmeg—this is what makes the frosting sing holiday tunes.

Step 5: Frosting and Serving

Once the brownies are completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Feeling festive? Cut into squares, triangles, or even use cookie cutters for Christmas-themed shapes—kids and guests love this touch.

Top Tip

Having made these brownies multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that ensure your batch comes out perfect every single time.

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softer cream cheese and butter make frosting smooth as silk without lumps.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir just until combined to keep brownies tender and moist, not dense.
Let Brownies Cool Fully: Patience here means your frosting won’t melt or slide off, keeping a neat, pretty top.
Line Your Pan for Easy Removal: The parchment or foil overhang is a game changer, making cutting and serving hassle-free.

How to Serve Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe

red velvet brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For a little extra holiday sparkle, I like sprinkling crushed candy canes or festive colored sugar on top of the frosting. Sometimes, a light dusting of ground cinnamon adds a warm aroma that sets the mood before the first bite.

Side Dishes

I usually pair these brownies with a creamy hot chocolate or a spiced latte to echo the cozy flavors. If serving at a party, a simple refreshing fruit salad balances the richness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

At holiday gatherings, I’ve shaped the brownies into Christmas trees and stars using cookie cutters, then decorated each with mini edible pearls and a drizzle of white chocolate. It turns dessert into a centerpiece that everyone wants to dive into.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover brownies in an airtight container on the counter for up to two days—just keep them away from heat. After that, I move them to the fridge to keep the frosting fresh longer. Just bring them back to room temp before serving for the best flavor.

Freezing

I freeze unfrosted brownie slabs wrapped tightly in plastic and foil, then thaw before frosting and slicing. For frosted brownies, you can freeze them, but be sure to thaw gently in the fridge to keep the frosting intact.

Reheating

If I want warm brownies, I reheat a single piece in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds—just enough to soften it without melting the frosting completely. It's a small indulgence that makes leftovers taste freshly baked.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different extract if I don’t like peppermint?

Absolutely! The peppermint extract adds festive warmth, but you can substitute with orange or almond extract for a different holiday twist. Just start with half the amount and adjust to taste.

How do I prevent the brownies from drying out?

Make sure not to overbake your brownies; bake just until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Also, avoid overmixing the batter which can make them tough. Storing brownies properly in an airtight container helps maintain moisture.

What’s the best way to achieve vibrant red velvet color?

Using good-quality red food coloring and properly mixing it into the batter ensures a consistent and brilliant red shade. Gel food coloring tends to be more vibrant and doesn’t thin the batter as much as liquid colors.

Can I make the eggnog frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the eggnog frosting a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Just bring it back to room temperature and give it a quick stir before spreading it on the brownies.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it captures the essence of holidays with each bite—rich, bright, and warmly spiced. Baking it feels like a festive hug, and sharing it with friends is the sweetest joy. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll be adding it to your holiday favorites, too.