Fudgy Gingerbread Brownies Recipe

Cozy Gingerbread Brownies Recipe: A Sweet Holiday Treat

Decadent chocolate meets festive spice in these irresistible gingerbread brownies that dance between rich fudgy textures and warm holiday flavors.

Molasses and dark chocolate create a deep, luxurious base that melts perfectly on your palate.

The classic gingerbread warmth of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger weaves through each delectable bite.

Soft, dense, and wonderfully spiced, these brownies bring a cozy twist to traditional chocolate treats.

Each square promises a remarkable blend of sweetness and aromatic holiday comfort.

Bakers seeking a delightful seasonal dessert will fall in love with this simple yet spectacular recipe that turns an ordinary afternoon into a celebration of flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 314 kcal

Servings: 13

Everything That Goes Into Gingerbread Brownies

For Base Ingredients:
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation with deep flavor complexity for baking.
  • Brown Sugar: Delivers warm caramel undertones and helps create moist, tender texture.
For Moisture and Binding:
  • Eggs: Acts as natural binding agent, creating structure and helping ingredients blend seamlessly.
  • Molasses: Introduces deep, robust sweetness with classic gingerbread warmth and dark color.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile, adding subtle aromatic depth.
For Dry Ingredients and Spices:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates essential structure and foundation for brownie texture.
  • Ground Ginger: Delivers quintessential spicy warmth characteristic of traditional gingerbread.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds gentle, sweet-spicy note that complements ginger perfectly.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures light, soft rise and prevents dense, heavy texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and elevates entire flavor composition.
  • Confectioners' Sugar: Provides elegant finishing touch with delicate sweet dusting.

Handy Tools for Gingerbread Brownie Baking

  • Large bowl: Perfect for mixing wet ingredients smoothly and thoroughly.
  • Medium bowl: Essential for whisking dry ingredients together.
  • 9×9-inch baking dish: Ideal pan size for creating deliciously thick brownies.
  • Parchment paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes removing brownies a breeze.
  • Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients and eliminating lumps.
  • Spatula or wooden spoon: Necessary for stirring and mixing batter evenly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Cooling rack: Optional, but helpful for cooling brownies after baking.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for cutting brownies into clean, neat squares.
  • Confectioners' sugar sifter: Allows for elegant dusting of final brownies.

How to Bake Gingerbread Brownies with Ease

Gingerbread Warmth

  • Oven Preparation Kitchen Comfort

Warm up your oven to create a cozy baking environment. Grab a square baking dish and line it with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for your delicious treat.

  • Butter and Sugar Magic

Melt butter and combine with rich brown sugar, whisking until they create a smooth, glossy mixture that promises delectable flavor.

  • Wet Ingredient Harmony

Blend eggs, deep molasses, and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar base. Watch as the ingredients dance together, creating a luscious, fragrant batter.

  • Dry Ingredient Symphony

In a separate bowl, mix flour with warming spices like ginger and cinnamon. Sprinkle in baking powder and a touch of salt to balance the sweetness.

  • Batter Fusion

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir carefully until everything blends seamlessly, creating a rich, spiced batter.

  • Baking Transformation

Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Let the oven work its magic for about 30 minutes, transforming the mixture into a fragrant, soft brownie.

  • Cooling and Serving

Allow the brownies to cool completely. Dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar, then slice into squares of pure comfort and enjoy.

Tasty Tweaks for Better Gingerbread Brownies

  • Insert a toothpick near the center – if it comes out with a few moist crumbs, your brownies are perfectly baked.
  • Experiment with adding nutmeg, cloves, or cardamom to enhance the warm gingerbread flavor profile.
  • Fold in chopped crystallized ginger or dark chocolate chunks for extra depth and crunch.
  • Drizzle melted white chocolate or cream cheese frosting on top for a festive holiday touch.
  • Swap all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking flour blend to accommodate dietary needs.

Creative Ways to Serve Gingerbread Brownies

  • Holiday Dessert Presentation: Dust brownies with powdered sugar for a festive winter wonderland look, creating a delicate snowy effect that highlights the rich brown color.
  • Gourmet Serving Style: Place brownies on elegant white plates with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, complementing the warm spices and providing a creamy contrast.
  • Cozy Gathering Treat: Stack brownies on a rustic wooden board with cinnamon sticks and whole star anise for a charming, inviting display that enhances the gingerbread's aromatic profile.
  • Gifting Delight: Package individual brownies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon, perfect for holiday hostess gifts or sharing with friends and family.

Keeping Gingerbread Brownies Tasty After Day One

  • Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store brownies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to maintain softness and prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days for maximum flavor preservation.
  • Counter Comfort Technique: When serving at room temperature, leave brownies uncovered for 15-20 minutes to restore their delightful texture and enhance the warm spice notes.
  • Freezer Friendly Approach: Wrap individual brownies tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. These delectable treats can be frozen for 2-3 months without losing their rich gingerbread character.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch up to 2 days before your event. Cover and refrigerate the uncut pan, then slice and serve when guests arrive for maximum convenience and freshness.
Print
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Fudgy Gingerbread Brownies Recipe

Fudgy Gingerbread Brownies


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4.6 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Gingerbread brownies merge classic holiday spices with rich chocolate for an indulgent dessert. Warm molasses and deep cocoa create a memorable treat that delights winter gatherings and satisfies sweet cravings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsps molasses
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger
  • 2 tsps ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and warm to 350°F (175°C), creating ideal baking conditions for rich, spiced brownies.
  2. Pan Preparation: Meticulously line 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, covering bottom and sides to guarantee effortless brownie extraction.
  3. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Whisk melted butter and brown sugar until transforming into a glossy, homogeneous mixture, then incorporate eggs, molasses, and vanilla extract, blending until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency.
  4. Dry Ingredient Integration: Sift flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, eliminating potential lumps and ensuring even spice distribution.
  5. Batter Creation: Delicately fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using gentle strokes, preventing overmixing that could compromise the brownies’ tender texture.
  6. Baking Process: Spread batter evenly in prepared pan, then bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring for set edges and a center that subtly resists gentle pressure.
  7. Cooling and Finishing: Allow brownies to cool completely within the pan, stabilizing their dense structure, then dust with confectioners’ sugar for an elegant presentation.
  8. Serving: Slice into square portions, revealing the moist, spiced interior of these gingerbread-inspired brownies.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture gently to maintain a tender, soft brownie texture without developing tough gluten strands.
  • Check Doneness Carefully: Look for set edges and a center that springs back slightly when touched, which indicates perfect moisture balance without raw batter.
  • Maximize Flavor Depth: Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan to help spices meld and develop a more intense, complex gingerbread taste profile.
  • Parchment Paper Trick: Use full parchment paper coverage for effortless removal and clean, precise cutting of brownies without sticky residue.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 314
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 107 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 51 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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