Christmas Present Peppermint Brownies

This is a sponsored post by Challenge Butter, but the text and opinions are all mine. Thank you for supporting brands that make Kylee's Kitchen possible!

I love holiday-themed treats more than anything. Any holiday – Valentine’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween… I just think making holiday treats is so fun. And there’s just something so special about Christmas treats.

Last year, you may remember that reindeer brownies for National Brownie Day, which is December 8. They were a total crowd pleaser! Everyone wanted one!

This year I wanted to do the same concept except with presents instead of Christmas trees! 

It is very rare that I use a box mix for anything, but in this case you should definitely use a box mix. The reason being is that you’re already going to decorate these brownies so why create even more work for yourself? 

This Ghirardelli mix is my absolute favorite. But I always doctor it up by substituting the water for milk and the oil for Challenge butter.  The brownies will taste so much richer! 

Christmas Present Peppermint Brownies
Yield: Makes 16 brownies
Ingredients
For the brownies

• 1 (18 ounce) box of brownie mix
• 1/3 cup Challenge butter, melted
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 egg

For the buttercream frosting

• 1/2 cup Challenge butter, room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the decorations

• Red cookie icing
• Red and green M&Ms

Directions
For the brownies

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Line 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick baking spray; set aside
3. Mix the milk, butter, and egg in bowl. Add the brownie mix and stir until well blended.
4. Spread mix into pan and bake for 26 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
5. Remove from oven and let cool completely
6. Once cooled, lift parchment out of pan 

For the buttercream frosting

1. Beat softened butter on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar, cream, vanilla extract, peppermint extract and salt and mix on low speed until combined and then increase to high speed for 3 minutes.
3. Add more powdered sugar if frosting is too thin or more cream if frosting is too thick.
4. Frost brownies before cutting into squares
5. Use red cookie icing to make cross in center of each brownie
6. Create cross by standing up 4 M&Ms in center of brownies