Gingerbread Brownie recipe is brownies meet gingerbread in this super chewy bar that's perfect for cookie exchanges and Christmas dessert!
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.
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
In a large saucepan, melt butter and chocolate together over low heat, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat, and whisk in molasses and sugars. Whisk in eggs until combined.
Add flour, salt, cinnamon, and ginger; whisk until just incorporated.
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.
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.
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.
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 Brownies
Equipment
- 9x9-inch metal baking pan
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- ⅓ cup molasses not blackstrap
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9x9-inch metal baking dish; set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter and chocoalte together over low heat, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat, and whisk in molasses and sugars.
- Whisk in eggs until combined.
- Add flour, salt, cinnamon, and ginger; whisk until just incorporated.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, or 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.
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
Originally posted 11/30/15. Updated with additional information and new photos on 12/5/21.
Jay
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 9x13. It took 40 min for the toothpick to come out clean, 30 min for it to have set across the top.
Kate
Thanks! I'm glad that they turned out well for you!
Darnesha Austin-Taylor
Hi. If I wanted to give the brownies a little more of a chocolatey taste, could i double the amount of bittersweet chocolate?
Kate
Hi! I haven't tried adding more chocolate to the brownies. You could try adding chocolate chips to bump up the chocolate flavor.
DV
These are fantastic. Used an 8x8 pan (don’t have a 9x9) 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.
Kate
Thank you! Yes, the brownies are very chewy. :) Thank you for commenting!
Kristen Mercado
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!
Kate
Thank you! I'm so glad that you liked the brownies! Thanks for commenting. =)
Danna Smith
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.
Kate
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.
Megan
Can I use cocoa powder instead of bittersweet chocolate?
Kate
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!
Maraloy Thomas
How would you make these gluten free? Or is that not possible?
Kate
I would try using a measure-for-measure gluten free flour mix in this to make it gluten free. I hope that helps!
Deanna
Absolutely love this recipe the gingerbread brownies taste Divine, they are going down a treat, a great change from a regular brownie!!
Kate
Thank you! I'm so glad that you liked them! =) Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment!
Ezra Mann
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.
Kate
I'm glad that you liked it! Thank you for commenting. =)
Anna
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!
Kate
I haven't, but I hope someone else can offer a suggestion for you!
Heather
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
Kate
Thanks!
Mimi
I am planning on shipping these upstate, does anyone know how well these ship? Thanks!
Kate
I've never tried to ship the brownies, but maybe someone else will have some insights for you.
Babette
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?
Kate
I'm so glad they liked them! =) I have a recipe for chewy brownies that have a similar texture.
Felicia
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!
Kate
I'm glad you liked them and that they were a hit! I love the molasses flavor, too. =)
Michelle
Can't wait to try these! Two of my favourite things, chocolate & gingerbread!!!
Kate
Yay!! I love the combination of chocolate and gingerbread. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! =)
Amy
Great flavor combination, and I prefer a brownie over cookies.
Kate
Thank you! =)