It’s tradition, for me to have a peppermint chocolate…something or other every year on the blog. For the record, I love peppermint and chocolate together. I look forward to the combo every year. I say goodbye to pumpkin and spice the day after Thanksgiving, and hello to chocolate and peppermint on black Friday. So without further adieu – here’s this year’s recipe, Peppermint Bark Cream Cheese Topped Fudgy Brownies.

Peppermint Bark Cream Cheese Topped Fudgy Brownies

That’s right, y’all. It has crumbled homemade peppermint bark as the topping over a yummy cream cheese frosting. It’s so delicious, and in my opinion, the perfect blend of Christmas in one 9×13 baking dish. My kids love to make the peppermint bark and of course lick the spoon from the frosting. But this is a great dessert to make with the kids, because they’ll love all the fun and easy steps in this recipe.

Now to be clear, you can take a few shortcuts with this recipe. I’ll never tell or judge if you do. Because shortcuts are what gets us through this crazy busy time of year. And since, I’m openly admitting to shortcuts, I’ll go ahead and spill the beans. I made these brownies with a box mix! Because that’s how I roll.

The peppermint bark & the cream cheese frosting are all homemade, however. But they’re so easy & totally worth your time, if you ask me. Because these Peppermint Bark Cream Cheese Topped Fudgy Brownies are so delicious and will be a sure crowd pleaser.

Peppermint Bark Cream Cheese Topped Fudgy Brownies

Ingredients

2 boxes of your favorite Brownie mix
12 oz chocolate bark (melted)
1 cup white chocolate melting chips
4-5 crushed candy canes
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2-1 tsp peppermint oil
1 block of softened cream cheese
1 box powered sugar
1-2 tbsp milk* if needed

Instructions

Make your 2 boxes of brownie mix - per instructions on the back of the box.
While your brownies are baking, melt your chocolate almond bark in 30 second intervals. Stir every 30 seconds. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Once your chocolate bark has melted, spread your melted chocolate on top of the wax paper.
Once your chocolate bark has cooled completely - start melting your white chocolate melting chips. Stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Add your vanilla & peppermint oil - if desired, once your chocolate has started to melt. When your white chocolate has completely melted, spread your white chocolate on top of your milk chocolate bark.
Top with crush candy canes.
Allow time to cool, and set up as bark.
When your brownies have completely cooled, in a mixing bowl mix your cream cheese and powered sugar with a mixer. You may find you'll need to add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to your frosting mixture. But wait towards the end of your mixing to see if you need to add any liquid. One you have mixed your frosting, spread on top of your brownies.
Then crumbled and add your bark to the top of your frosting. You may find you have extra peppermint bark to enjoy. Just store in an air tight container and enjoy with your coffee in the morning.

Here are a few peppermint and chocolate recipes from years past:

Chocolate Peppermint Trifle
Chocolate Peppermint Poke Cake
Extreme Peppermint Milkshakes #freakshakes
Homemade Chocolate Peppermint Syrup Recipe

As you can see I kinda have a thing for this combination. I love it mixed together, and I really hope you’ll love these Peppermint Bark Cream Cheese Topped Fudgy Brownies. If you’re a peppermint & chocolate fan, please feel free to share or rein.