Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (2024)

Updated on |By Kate|39 Comments

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Gingerbread Brownie recipe is brownies meet gingerbread in this super chewy bar that’s perfect for cookie exchanges and Christmas dessert!

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (1)

Gingerbread always makes an appearance around the holidays in popular treats like gingerbread cake and gingerbread men. One of my favorite ways to put a spin on gingerbread is to add in a bit of chocolate – like with this Gingerbread Brownie recipe.

Brownies can be one of the hardest desserts to get right. Fudgy brownies can easily end up cakey, and it can be difficult to get that perfect brownie chew, which is why brownie mixes are so popular!

These Gingerbread Brownies, though, have that perfect brownie chewiness at the edges but are soft in the middle. They are a yummy cross between gingerbread and a traditional brownie, and the molasses and warm spices make them a welcome addition on any cookie tray.

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (2)

Ingredients and substitutions

  • Butter – I use salted butter in this recipe. If using unsalted butter, add an extra pinch of salt.
  • Bittersweet chocolate – I recommend using baking chocolate, not chocolate chips as chocolate chips can have ingredients that prevent melting.
  • Molasses – Robust, regular, or light molasses will work in this recipe. I don’t recommend using blackstrap as it can be bitter.
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar – Dark brown sugar is preferable, but light brown sugar will also work.
  • Large eggs
  • All-purpose flour – It’s important to use a light touch with the flour when making brownies. To properly measure the flour, either weigh it or sift/stir it to break it up. Lightly spoon it into the measuring cup and level.
  • Salt
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground ginger

How to make gingerbread brownies

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (3)

In a large saucepan, melt butter and chocolate together over low heat, stirring frequently.

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (4)

Remove from heat, and whisk in molasses and sugars. Whisk in eggs until combined.

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (5)

Add flour, salt, cinnamon, and ginger; whisk until just incorporated.

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (6)

Pour into prepared pan. Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few fudgy crumbs.

Let cool in pan, and serve dusted with powdered sugar, if desired.

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (7)

What if I’m using a glass baking pan?

If you’re using a glass baking pan, decrease the oven temperature by 25F. Also, start checking on the brownies about 5 minutes sooner.

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (8)

Storage

The brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (9)

More gingerbread treats!

  • Gingerbread
  • Gingerbread Pancakes
  • Gingerbread Muffins
  • Gingerbread Baked Donuts
  • Gingerbread Pudding Cake
  • No Chill Gingerbread Men

If you’ve tried this gingerbread brownie cookie recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

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Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (10)

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (11)

4.91 from 21 votes

Gingerbread Brownies


Author Kate @ I Heart Eating

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Chewy gingerbread brownie recipe

Equipment

  • 9×9-inch metal baking pan

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
  • 1/3 cup molasses not blackstrap
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

Video

Notes

  • Butter – I use salted butter in this recipe. If using unsalted butter, add an extra pinch of salt.
  • Bittersweet chocolate – I recommend using baking chocolate, not chocolate chips as chocolate chips can have ingredients that prevent melting.
  • Molasses – Robust, regular, or light molasses will work in this recipe. I don’t recommend using blackstrap as it can be bitter.
  • Brown sugar – Dark brown sugar is preferable, but light brown sugar will also work.
  • All-purpose flour – It’s important to use a light touch with the flour when making brownies. To properly measure the flour, either weigh it or sift/stir it to break it up. Lightly spoon it into the measuring cup and level.
  • Nutrition values are estimates.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 191mg | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Did You Make This Recipe?

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Originally posted 11/30/15. Updated with additional information and new photos on 12/5/21.

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Created by Kate

Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

Reader Interactions

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Karen says

    Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (12)
    Omg omg omg! These are soooo good and I’m not even a gingerbread fan! I was supposed to make them and bring them to work…they didn’t make it to the ladies at work. I’ve already shared the recipe with 3 other people. So delicious!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

  2. Virginia Haviland says

    Can I ask why non-blackstap molasses? I’m going to have a hard time finding non-blackstrap and I would like to try these. They sound amazing.

    Reply

    • Virginia Haviland says

      Actually, nevermind. I just saw your note section explaining about the molasses. Thanks anyway.

      Reply

      • Kate says

        Glad you saw the note!

        Reply

  3. Jay says

    Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (13)
    Made these to add a non-chocolate centric, holiday bar cookie to some cookie trays. I am not a gingerbread lover myself, but these were good. Chewy and nice flavor to them. Cut really easy to – which I appreciated as they looked really nice.
    I did 1.5 the recipe to cook it in a 9×13. It took 40 min for the toothpick to come out clean, 30 min for it to have set across the top.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thanks! I’m glad that they turned out well for you!

      Reply

  4. Darnesha Austin-Taylor says

    Hi. If I wanted to give the brownies a little more of a chocolatey taste, could i double the amount of bittersweet chocolate?

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Hi! I haven’t tried adding more chocolate to the brownies. You could try adding chocolate chips to bump up the chocolate flavor.

      Reply

  5. DV says

    Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (14)
    These are fantastic. Used an 8×8 pan (don’t have a 9×9) with excellent results. Followed recipe except added mini chocolate chips. Brownies turned out very chewy, not sure if that’s how they’re supposed to be but they were so delicious. Super quick to make. I served them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

    Reply

  6. Kristen Mercado says

    Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (15)
    I made these last night and they are divine (today)! I added a handful of extra chocolate chips to the batter before baking. I also think they taste best fully cooled. Can’t wait to share these with neighbors and friends. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you! I’m so glad that you liked the brownies! Thanks for commenting. =)

      Reply

  7. Danna Smith says

    I felt like the molasses was too much and it needed more chocolate taste. I used this for a family Christmas back off and the judges didn’t like it either. It came in last.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Since they’re gingerbread brownies, they’re going to have a molasses taste. Since you just wanted chocolate brownies, it sounds like regular brownies were what you were looking for.

      Reply

  8. Megan says

    Can I use cocoa powder instead of bittersweet chocolate?

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Hi! Cocoa powder by itself won’t be a good substitute for bittersweet chocolate. Substitutes for bittersweet baking chocolate usually consist of cocoa powder, butter, and some sugar. Hope that helps!

      Reply

  9. Maraloy Thomas says

    Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (16)
    How would you make these gluten free? Or is that not possible?

    Reply

    • Kate says

      I would try using a measure-for-measure gluten free flour mix in this to make it gluten free. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  10. Deanna says

    Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (17)
    Absolutely love this recipe the gingerbread brownies taste Divine, they are going down a treat, a great change from a regular brownie!!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you! I’m so glad that you liked them! =) Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment!

      Reply

  11. Ezra Mann says

    Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (18)
    I’ve made gingerbread brownies in the past and always loved them, this recipe was a little bit different… but adding a couple tweaks that I would anyway and this is at least as good, if not better than the base recipe I used before. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      I’m glad that you liked it! Thank you for commenting. =)

      Reply

  12. Anna says

    Anybody experiment with a recipe eliminating eggs? I want to share with family for the holiday and have a family member with egg allergy. THANKS!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      I haven’t, but I hope someone else can offer a suggestion for you!

      Reply

    • Heather says

      We also have an egg sensitivity at our house and I am about to make them using flax ‘eggs’. I’ve been successful with replacing in other recipes altho brownies are always kinda hit or miss. I’ll let u know

      Reply

      • Kate says

        Thanks!

        Reply

  13. Mimi says

    I am planning on shipping these upstate, does anyone know how well these ship? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      I’ve never tried to ship the brownies, but maybe someone else will have some insights for you.

      Reply

  14. Babette says

    These were so delicious, my kids ate the whole pan in one night! Do you have a recipe for regular brownies with this same awesome chewy texture?

    Reply

    • Kate says

      I’m so glad they liked them! =) I have a recipe for chewy brownies that have a similar texture.

      Reply

  15. Felicia says

    Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (19)
    I just tried these over the weekend and loved how intense the molasses flavor is! I brought them to a holiday party and they were a hit. I blogged about them today, too/ Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      I’m glad you liked them and that they were a hit! I love the molasses flavor, too. =)

      Reply

  16. Michelle says

    Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (20)
    Can’t wait to try these! Two of my favourite things, chocolate & gingerbread!!!

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Yay!! I love the combination of chocolate and gingerbread. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! =)

      Reply

  17. Amy says

    Great flavor combination, and I prefer a brownie over cookies.

    Reply

    • Kate says

      Thank you! =)

      Reply

    • Mary says

      I am thinking of trying this with a boxed brownie mix, substituting the molasses for the oil and or water. Any thoughts on this?

      Reply

      • Kate says

        I haven’t tried using molasses with a brownie mix. I can tell you that the oil helps to provide moisture and helps to make brownies chewy. You may find that you can add a tablespoon or two of molasses in addition to making to boxed directions.

        Reply

Gingerbread Brownie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you use milk instead of water in brownie mix? ›

One change is to use milk or heavy cream instead of water. This change will make brownies more moist and gooey since milk is more fatty and flavorful than water. A second change is to use butter instead of oil. For similar reasons to using milk, butter adds a rich and more decadent quality to the batter.

What happens if you don't put enough flour in brownies? ›

It depends on how much less. If we're talking half a cup less, they'll probably end up really sticky. If you don't use enough flour, they won't harden up at all.

What can I add to brownie mix to make them better? ›

Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract adds rich flavor to brownies. Eggs – Most brownie mixes call for one whole egg. Adding one large egg plus an extra egg yolk gives brownies an ultra fudgy texture.

What happens if you add flour to brownie mix? ›

If you think about the main characteristic that stands out in a cake, it is probably its fluffy texture. Therefore, to get this extra volume, you want to have more little flour granules in your batter, all swelling together.

What happens if you add an extra egg to brownie mix? ›

If you opt to add more eggs, say double the amount, something interesting happens. Even though you are adding more moisture, the air bubbles that you catch in the extra eggs add volume, which decreases the density of your final product. This makes your brownies rise and gives them a much more cake-like texture.

Can I use butter instead of oil in brownie mix? ›

You can absolutely substitute butter for the vegetable oil. Use the same quantity specified in the directions (for example, if it calls for 1/3 cup of oil, use 5 1/3 tablespoons of butter). Melt it down, then let it cool a bit. You might not ever go back to oil!

What happens if you don't add butter to brownies? ›

I forgot to add 1/2 a stick of butter to my brownies (2.5 was needed), what will happen to the brownies? They will likely be either dry or flat, unfortunately without butter they won't taste as good or be bouncy.

What not to do when making brownies? ›

Common Brownie Fails
  1. Too Cakey: over cooked, or too much flour.
  2. Too Gooey: under cooked, or not enough flour.
  3. Too Bitter: wrong balance of chocolate and fat.
  4. Too Greasy: too much fat or fat didn't melt with chocolate sufficiently.
  5. Lack flavour: not enough sugar or chocolate, too much flour.

Should you beat eggs before adding to brownie mix? ›

Cookbook author and food stylist Jerrelle Guy might have given away the secret: In an article for The Kitchn, Guy suggests the secret to a "glossy" and lifted brownie — like the ones you see in bakeries and restaurants — is to beat the eggs and the sugar together for 10 minutes before adding additional ingredients.

Is it better to use milk or water in brownie mix? ›

Milk. Most brownie mixes call for water. While water does the job, you can add some extra flavor and moisture by mixing some of that water with something richer, like milk. If you want to swap it out completely, be prepared for a more chewy and fudge-like brownie from the extra fat.

Does letting brownie batter sit make it better? ›

Alice Medrich, author of Seriously Bitter Sweet: The Ultimate Dessert Maker's Guide to Chocolate, writes that “refrigerating the brownie batter in the pan for several hours, or as long as two days before baking, wreaks enormous transformations: it improves the top gloss and crustiness, and it also blends the flavors so ...

How much butter instead of oil in brownies? ›

Replacing Oil with Butter

It couldn't be easier to substitute butter for oil using a 1:1 ratio. This should work with olive, canola, vegetable, and coconut oils. Simply melt and cool the butter to room temperature, then continue with your recipe. (If the recipe calls for ½ cup oil, use ½ cup melted and cooled butter.)

How to jazz up box brownies? ›

Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder. Throw in a handful of nuts—pecans, walnuts, macadamia, whatever you have on hand. Scoop in a palmful of dried or frozen fruit. Add an extra splash of the top-shelf vanilla extract, or a dab of vanilla paste, or a dash of vanilla powder, to the batter.

Is melted butter or oil better for brownies? ›

In brownies, both butter and oil will offer a moist, tender texture, but only butter will give the dish the aeration needed for rising brownies well. If you use a cake brownie, butter is a better option because it helps rise the batter. For denser, fudge type brownies, oil is permissable.

What happens if you use baking soda instead of baking powder in brownies? ›

If you accidentally add baking soda instead of baking powder to baked goods, they won't rise because there is not enough acid. To fix this, add about one tablespoon of white or apple cider vinegar for every half teaspoon of baking soda to the liquids before mixing with the dry ingredients.

What happens if you bake with milk instead of water? ›

Milk's fat and protein add tenderness, structure, and flavor to a cake — all great attributes you want in your baking!

What happens if you substitute milk for water in a cake mix? ›

Baking tip #2: adding milk to your box cake mix in place of water adds a dense texture to your dessert leaving it moist and flavorful like a homemade cake. Or, if you prefer, you can add buttermilk, giving your cake a tangy flavor to balance out the sweetness.

What happens if I substitute milk for water in a cake recipe? ›

Yes, you can substitute milk for water when preparing SuperMoist cake mixes, however, the cake may be slightly drier than if prepared with water. Also keep in mind that milk will add calories and change the nutrition slightly.

How to make box brownies extra chewy? ›

To make box brownies moist and chewy, here are a few tips you can try:
  1. **Don't Overmix:** When preparing the brownie batter, mix until just combined. ...
  2. **Add Extra Moisture:** Incorporate ingredients like sour cream, yogurt, or applesauce into the batter.
Apr 18, 2022

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