Step into a world where the comforting nostalgia of gingerbread meets the irresistible allure of a rich, fudgy brownie. Our Spiced Winter Dream Brownies with Creamy Frosting are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience, a harmonious blend of warm, aromatic spices and decadent chocolate, all crowned with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting. If you’ve been searching for the perfect treat to elevate your holiday table or simply make a cozy evening at home feel extra special, look no further. This frosted gingerbread brownies recipe delivers on every promise of flavor, texture, and festive cheer.
Why You’ll Adore These Spiced Winter Dream Brownies
These brownies aren’t just delicious; they’re thoughtfully crafted to become a new favorite. Here’s why they’ll capture your heart (and your taste buds):
- A Symphony of Flavors: Imagine the deep, comforting notes of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg dancing with rich cocoa. The molasses adds that signature gingerbread depth, creating a complex yet incredibly inviting profile.
- Irresistible Texture: We’re talking fudgy, chewy brownie perfection beneath a cloud of smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. Each bite offers a delightful contrast that keeps you coming back for more.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: While “winter dream” suggests holidays, these brownies are fantastic year-round. They’re impressive enough for a festive gathering but easy enough for a weeknight craving.
- Surprisingly Simple: Don’t let the gourmet taste fool you; this recipe is straightforward and designed for home bakers of all skill levels. With clear steps, you’ll achieve bakery-quality results.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Crafting these brownies requires a few key players to achieve their signature flavor and texture. Here’s a breakdown:
For the Brownies:
- Unsalted Butter & Granulated Sugar: The foundation for fudginess. Using melted butter helps achieve that dense, chewy texture.
- Large Eggs: Provide structure and richness.
- Unsulphured Molasses: This is crucial for the distinct gingerbread flavor. Do not substitute with blackstrap molasses, which is too strong. Light or regular molasses works best.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour & Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The bulk of our brownie, providing structure and chocolatey depth. For a richer chocolate flavor, consider Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
- Ground Spices (Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg): The heart of the “gingerbread” profile. Feel free to adjust amounts slightly to personal preference, though this blend is expertly balanced.
- Baking Soda & Salt: Leavening and flavor enhancement.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Cream Cheese (softened): Opt for full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture. Ensure it’s truly softened to avoid lumps.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Also key for a smooth, fluffy frosting.
- Powdered Sugar (sifted): Sifting is vital for a lump-free frosting.
- Vanilla Extract & Pinch of Salt: To round out the flavors.
How to Craft Your Spiced Winter Dream Brownies
Making this exceptional frosted gingerbread brownies recipe is a delightful process. Follow these steps for perfect results:
- Prepare Your Pan & Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper leaving an overhang. This ensures easy removal later.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in molasses and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, all the ground spices, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough brownies.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Cool Completely: This is a critical step! Remove brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Patience here prevents melted frosting.
- Whip Up the Frosting: While the brownies cool, beat softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla and a pinch of salt.
- Frost & Serve: Once the brownies are fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly. Chill for at least 30 minutes before cutting for clean slices.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Mixing too much after adding flour develops gluten, which can make brownies tough. Mix until just combined.
- Cool Brownies Thoroughly: This cannot be stressed enough. Warm brownies will melt your beautiful cream cheese frosting, creating a messy (though still tasty) situation.
- Sift Powdered Sugar: For the smoothest, lump-free frosting, always sift your powdered sugar.
- Soften Ingredients Correctly: For both the frosting and the brownie batter (specifically the eggs and butter, if you’re not melting the butter for the brownies), ensuring ingredients are at room temperature creates a uniform, emulsified mixture.
- Test for Doneness: A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not liquid batter. If it comes out completely clean, your brownies might be overbaked.
Serving Suggestions
These Spiced Winter Dream Brownies are a showstopper on their own, but here are a few ideas to make them even more special:
- A Dusting of Elegance: Before serving, sprinkle a little extra ground cinnamon, cocoa powder, or even edible glitter over the frosting for a festive touch.
- Pair with a Warm Beverage: Enjoy a square with a mug of hot coffee, chai tea, or spiced apple cider for the ultimate cozy experience.
- Holiday Dessert Platter: Arrange them alongside other holiday treats for a diverse spread. If you’re assembling a holiday spread, consider pairing these sweet treats with something savory and festive like our Ultimate Cranberry Jalapeño Dip.
- With a Scoop of Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla bean or cinnamon ice cream would be an incredible accompaniment.
- Gift Them: Cut into squares, arrange in a decorative box, and share the joy with friends and family. For more delightful holiday appetizers, you might also enjoy these Holiday Turkey Ham Deviled Eggs from our friends at Fork Haven.
Storage & Reheating
To keep your Spiced Winter Dream Brownies fresh and delicious, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. While they are best enjoyed at room temperature for the optimal frosting texture, they are also delightful chilled. No reheating is necessary; simply allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving if preferred.
FAQ
Q: Can I use pre-ground gingerbread spice mix instead of individual spices?
A: Yes, you can! Use about 3 to 3.5 teaspoons of your favorite gingerbread spice mix to replace the individual ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Adjust to your taste, as mixes vary in potency.
Q: My frosting seems too soft/runny. What went wrong?
A: This usually happens if your cream cheese or butter were too warm, or if you didn’t use enough powdered sugar. Try chilling the frosting for 15-20 minutes, then beating it again. If it’s still too soft, gradually beat in more sifted powdered sugar (1/4 cup at a time) until it reaches the desired consistency.
Q: Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! These brownies are an excellent make-ahead dessert. You can bake the brownies a day in advance, let them cool completely, then cover and store at room temperature. Prepare and frost them on the day of serving, or frost them the day before and store them in the refrigerator.
These Spiced Winter Dream Brownies with Creamy Frosting offer a taste of pure culinary comfort, blending familiar flavors into an exciting new form. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your journey, this recipe promises a rewarding experience and a truly unforgettable dessert. Dive in and create your own batch of winter wonderland magic!
Spiced Winter Dream Brownies with Creamy Frosting
Imagine the comforting warmth of classic gingerbread cookies, but in a rich, fudgy brownie form. These delightful squares are baked to perfection, infused with aromatic spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, then crowned with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of chewy chocolate and a festive spice kick, making them the ultimate treat for holiday gatherings or a cozy night in. Easy to make and impossible to resist, they’re a true winter wonderland dessert perfect for sharing joy.
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
Ingredients
- FOR THE BROWNIES:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the molasses and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until thoroughly mixed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are fine.
- Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. This is crucial for clean frosting application.
- While the brownies cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until incorporated, then increasing to medium until smooth. Mix in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Once the brownies are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. You can use an offset spatula for a smooth finish.
- Cut into squares and serve. For best results, chill the frosted brownies for at least 30 minutes before cutting to allow the frosting to set.
Notes
Ensure your brownies are fully cooled before adding the frosting, otherwise it will melt. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a little ground cinnamon or edible glitter over the frosting before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie square
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg