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 truly magical about biting into a dessert that combines rich chocolate with the festive warmth of the holidays. I’m excited to share my take on the Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe—a treat that manages to feel both cozy and indulgent at the same time. You won’t want to miss making these for your next celebration!

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 brings together everything I adore about festive baking—a fudgy, chocolatey brownie base with that signature red velvet charm, topped off with a luscious eggnog cream cheese frosting. It’s perfect when you want something that's both impressive and easy to pull together.

Seasonal Twist: The eggnog frosting adds a cozy, spiced flavor that immediately transports you to holiday indulgence.
Fudgy Texture: These brownies are ultra moist with just the right amount of cocoa, complemented by melty chocolate chips.
Easy to Customize: You can cut them into festive shapes or swap extracts for different flavor profiles.
Showstopper Appearance: That vibrant red paired with creamy frosting looks gorgeous on any dessert table.

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

The magic in the Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe really comes from a few well-chosen ingredients. Cream cheese and eggnog in the frosting bring warmth and tang, while cocoa and peppermint extract add layers of deep flavor to the brownie base. Here’s why each ingredient matters:

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: Using melted butter provides richness and helps create that dense, fudgy texture I love.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens without overpowering, allowing the cocoa and extracts to shine.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: This gives the brownies a true chocolate backbone—don’t substitute with sweetened cocoa or you’ll alter the balance.
McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor enhancer that rounds out the chocolate and spices.
McCormick Peppermint Extract: Adds a fresh holiday twist that I personally can’t get enough of—feel free to adjust quantity to taste.
Red food coloring: Critical for that iconic red velvet look; gel colors work best for vibrant hues.
Flour: Provides structure; I recommend measuring it carefully to keep brownies tender.
Large eggs: They bind everything together and contribute moisture.
Baking powder: Just enough to give a slight lift without sacrificing fudginess.
Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Offers little pockets of melty chocolate that surprise you in every bite.
Cream cheese: The star in the frosting for creamy tanginess.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting smoothly.
Eggnog: Brings that holiday spice note and creamy texture to the frosting—add gradually until you get a spreadable consistency.
Ground cinnamon and nutmeg: These warm spices enhance eggnog’s festive flavor beautifully in 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

One of my favorite things about this Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you lean into the peppermint extract or swap it out for almond or orange extract, it’s totally flexible. When I make a batch, I usually like to add a dash more cinnamon into the batter for an extra holiday punch.

Variation: Once, I swapped out peppermint for a splash of almond extract—gave the brownies a cozy, nutty twist that delighted everyone.
Dietary Modification: You can try using gluten-free flour blends if you want to make these gluten-free, though texture might shift slightly.
Seasonal Change: For a summer twist, omit the eggnog frosting and try a light cream cheese glaze with fresh berries instead.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Dry Ingredients

Before diving in, I always preheat my oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper that overhangs the edges—makes lifting the brownies out a breeze later. Then, in a medium bowl, I whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. This step ensures your brownies bake evenly and have that perfect crumb.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients and Sugar

In a large bowl, I whisk the melted butter with granulated sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, peppermint extract, and red food coloring. Getting these combined well before adding eggs helps you see the beautiful red chocolatey batter come alive. Pro tip: Use gel food coloring for vibrant, deep red without adding too much liquid.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Fold in Dry Ingredients

Crack in your eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition but don’t overbeat. Overmixing can lead to tougher brownies, and that's the last thing you want here. Gently fold in the flour mixture just until combined, then toss in the chocolate chips for those melty surprises.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes. Check by inserting a toothpick near the center—it should come out with moist crumbs but no wet batter. Fresh from the oven, these brownies are fragile, so let them cool completely before tackling the frosting or slicing.

Step 5: Make the Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat the softened cream cheese, butter, eggnog, and vanilla until creamy and smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar, tasting and adjusting the sweetness. The cinnamon and nutmeg come last, adding that unmistakable festive spice. If the frosting feels too thick, a splash more eggnog gets it to the perfect spreadable consistency.

Step 6: Frost and Enjoy!

Spread the frosting evenly over the completely cooled brownies, then slice into fun shapes or classic squares. I love using cookie cutters around the holidays—a fun way to get the kids involved too!

Top Tip

After making these red velvet brownies several times, I’ve learned some little tricks that make all the difference between a good brownie and a spectacular one.

Use a Light Hand with Flour: Measuring too much can dry out your brownies; I recommend spooning flour lightly into your measuring cup and leveling off.
Don’t Overmix After Adding Eggs: Just mix until combined to keep brownies tender and fudgy.
Softened Cream Cheese and Butter: Room temperature ingredients blend faster and give you frosting without lumps.
Cool Completely Before Frosting: I once iced warm brownies and the frosting melted right off—wait patiently for best results!

How to Serve Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe

Red Velvet Brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like sprinkling crushed candy canes or a dash of cocoa powder on top for extra festive flair. Sometimes, a few edible gold stars or silver dragées make these brownies look especially dazzling for holiday parties.

Side Dishes

A simple cup of rich hot chocolate or mulled cider pairs beautifully. I’ve also served these alongside vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent contrast of hot and cold.

Creative Ways to Present

Last Christmas, I stacked themed brownie trees by cutting the brownies into triangles, layering them with frosting, and dusting with powdered sugar “snow.” It was a hit and made the dessert table the talk of the party!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, I store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. After that, refrigeration keeps them fresh for about a week, but I always bring them back to room temp before serving for best flavor.

Freezing

I’ve frozen unfrosted brownies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When ready to enjoy, I thaw overnight at room temperature and then frost just before serving—this keeps everything tasting fresh.

Reheating

If you want warm brownies, gently reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Avoid reheating frosted brownies too long or the frosting will melt—you can always serve the frosting on the side if reheating in bulk.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these brownies without peppermint extract?

Absolutely! You can omit the peppermint extract or replace it with vanilla or almond extract if you prefer a different flavor profile. The brownies will still be delicious and festive.

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

Using gel food coloring is the best method because it provides a deep, vibrant red without adding extra liquid to your batter that could affect texture. Add the red slowly to reach your desired color.

Can I make the frosting dairy-free?

For a dairy-free version, try substituting the cream cheese and butter with plant-based alternatives like vegan cream cheese and margarine. Keep in mind the texture and flavor will be a bit different, but still tasty.

How far in advance can I prepare these brownies?

You can bake the brownies a day or two ahead and keep them wrapped airtight at room temperature. The frosting is best applied on the day you plan to serve for optimal freshness, but you can also refrigerate frosted brownies for up to 3 days.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Brownies with Eggnog Frosting Recipe has found a permanent spot in my holiday baking rotation because it strikes such a joyful balance between classic festive flavors and dessert comfort. Each batch I make brings me back to cozy kitchen moments with family, and I hope you get to experience that same delight from your oven. Give it a try—it’s one of those sweets that feels both special and like coming home.