These delicious, festive and fudgy brownies will seriously melt in your mouth. Best of all, they’re super easy to make!

One of my favorite comfort desserts: warm brownies, right out of the oven, topped with creamy vanilla ice cream. But the last thing I need is to make some complicated recipe that leaves a sink full of dishes. No, thank you. Especially after a long and exhausting day, where all you want to do is snuggle up on the couch and satisfy that sweet tooth. 

As a business owner and mom of five boys, it’s so easy to find myself completely wiped out after a long day of work. This is what Elderberry Queen is all about — helping you stay healthy and giving you clean and easy recipe ideas for every season. 

The good news is that this brownie recipe has super clean ingredients, is gluten-free and makes baking brownies practically effortless. That’s exactly why I’m sharing this recipe with you. These brownies are downright mouthwatering. They’re also adorable for the holidays. 

For this recipe, I’m using Simple Mills Brownie Mix — my favorite brownie mix EVER. Then, I sprinkle some crushed YumEarth Candy Canes on top to give this recipe that festive feel and taste! As the brownies bake, the candy canes slightly melt, giving your brownies the perfect hint of peppermint and a delicious crunchy texture. 

These brownies are perfect to gift to a neighbor, bring them to a holiday gathering, share them with friends on a chilly night or keep them all for yourself… the choice is yours. They’re so easy to whip up and throw in the oven last minute. 

Let’s dive into how to put a festive twist on your everyday brownie while keeping it easy, simple and oh-so delicious.  

Why You'll Love This Brownie Recipe

If you’re still on the fence about this recipe, here are some reasons I’m sure this will become one of your new holiday favorites. 

• Kid Friendly: Because these brownies are so easy to prep and make, your little ones will love helping mix ingredients and, of course, eating those tasty brownies. 

• Clean Ingredients: The Simple Mills Brownie Mix we use in this recipe is full of wholesome ingredients you can feel good about, and it’s also gluten-free. The YumEarth candy canes we top these brownies with are organic, dye-free and have just the right amount of peppermint. 

• Easy to Bake: A recipe that takes too much time and effort can quickly suck the fun out of the process. Seriously, we have better things to be doing, right? That’s why this recipe is just for you. Whip up these delightful little brownies in no time. 

• The Perfect Holiday Dessert: These brownies are rich and delicious, with a hint of peppermint that adds just the right touch of holiday flair. They’re perfect for all those holiday gatherings on your calendar. Plus, they’re easy to throw together for all those last-minute plans. 

What’s not to love, right? This recipe wouldn’t be nearly as amazing if it weren’t for Simple Mills Brownie Mix. So, let’s dig into why I’ve chosen this specific mix and why you’ll love it as much as I do.

The Healthiest Brownie Mix 

Simple Mills Brownie Mix never disappoints, and it’s one kitchen staple I can’t live without. This brownie mix is made from clean, healthy and gluten-free ingredients. Simple Mills is a great brand that provides delicious baking mixes while eliminating the fear of unhealthy and harmful ingredients. 

Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of making brownies from scratch. It’s intimidating and hard to achieve that perfect fudgy and gooey texture we all crave. They’re either super dry and crumbly or too moist, making me wonder if it’s even baked all the way through. 

Luckily, this brownie mix always delivers. It’s crafted with the perfect blend of ingredients to give your brownies that flawless chocolaty flavor and a heavenly soft and melty texture. 

Whether you’re just learning how to bake or have years of experience, this mix is so easy to make and even harder to mess up. Just follow the instructions, and you’ll be indulging in these delicious brownies in no time. You can finally kiss those complicated dessert recipes goodbye. 

Meet the Ingredients

This list is simple, just like the recipe. So, make a quick run to the store and grab the ingredients you’ll need to make these irresistible brownies.

Ingredients:

• 1 box of Simple Mills Brownie Mix
• ½ cup of oil or butter (extra for oiling your pan)
• 3 tablespoons of water
• 2 eggs
• 1 box of YumEarth Organic Candy Canes

Enjoy delicious and nourishing brownies made with simple, high-quality ingredients that you and your loved ones deserve with every bite.  Let’s go over how to bring it all together and create the most favored dessert on the table this holiday season. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to get baking! Here are the step-by-step instructions to guide you. 

• Make the brownie mix according to the directions on the back of the box, but wait to place them in the oven.

• Put the YumEarth candy canes in a plastic bag, seal the bag and crush them with a can or heavy glass — this is fun for kids to help with!

• Sprinkle half of your crushed candy canes evenly over the top of the brownie batter.
• Bake according to the box directions.
• With about 2 minutes on the timer, pull the brownies out, sprinkle the remaining crushed candy canes on top and put them back in the oven to finish baking.

• Take the brownies out of the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes before cutting.

Heaven on earth, right?! Gooey, peppermint-infused and a chocolate lover’s dream. If you decide not to share, I won’t judge — I promise.

Plus, the best thing about these mouthwatering brownies is that you can alternate toppings or mix and match! 

Flavorful Topping Ideas

Are the candy canes not enough? Now, don’t get me wrong — these brownies are divine with just the peppermint — but adding some tasty toppings and sprucing things up a bit more is always fun! 

Here are a few ideas you can’t go wrong with:

• Drizzle melted chocolate on top: I would try white chocolate. It adds a nice variety of flavors and beautifully balances out the richness of the brownies! White chocolate, peppermint and brownies are a match made in heaven. 

• Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream: This classic combination never grows old. It’s simple and delicious.

• Lightly dust with powdered sugar: Want to make the brownies more visually festive? Try dusting them with powdered sugar for a snowy effect. 

• Add a dollop of whipped cream: Not a fan of ice cream but want some creaminess added to your brownie? Go for a dollop of whipped cream — yum!

Whether you add some additional toppings to your brownies or enjoy the classic peppermint brownie, one thing’s for sure — they’ll add extra holiday cheer to your dessert spread.

How to Store These Brownies

Here’s how to store these brownies, just in case you have any leftovers (this is a rare occurrence in our house).

Cover your pan of leftovers in saran wrap or place the brownies in a sealed Tupperware container, where they’ll be good for up to 5 days at room temperature. Another option is to freeze them by placing them in a ziploc bag — just make sure to line each brownie with parchment paper so they don’t stick.

They’re the perfect treat to save for later!

More Festive Recipes

I truly hope you enjoy these brownies as much as I do. Let this recipe be a reminder that you can make cooking and baking easier this holiday season. This way, you can spend more quality time with your family and have some downtime for yourself. 

By the way, did you know that I have plenty of other holiday recipes that are also nourishing and delicious? 

Here are some ideas you’re sure to love:

• Elderberry Glazed Ham
• Holiday Sugar Cookies & Elderberry Icing
• Spiced Elderberry Hot Cocoa
• Festive Peppermint Yogurt Bark
• The Best Hot Chocolate Cookies

Dive into these recipes, have some fun, get your kids involved (if you feel like it) and try to treasure all the simple moments this holiday season. I wish you the best this Christmas!