Layered Chocolate Peppermint Bars

5 from 2 votes

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These Layered Chocolate Peppermint Bars are part sugar cookie, part peppermint brownie cream cheese mixture, and part white chocolate! Hello, beautiful delicious layers (kind like my Mint Brownies)!

Chocolate Peppermint Bars

Chocolate Peppermint Bars

WOW is all I have to say about these Layered Peppermint Bars. They come together so easily and quickly because I take shortcuts with store-bought cookie dough and boxed brownie mix. YUM! I love the whole chocolate and peppermint combination so much! And the cream cheese takes it over the top! Not to mention the crushed candy canes on top are so festive 🙂

These Peppermint Bars are a crowd pleaser because they themselves are so diverse. Part cookie, part brownie with a cheesecake flare somewhere in there these bars will have everyone asking you for the recipe.

Main Ingredients Needed

These wonderful layers are made up of a couple of different desserts. Let’s work from bottom to top.

  • Sugar Cookie – this layer can be made with either store-bought or homemade sugar cookie dough. Basically, we are starting these bars off right with a sugar cookie base.
  • Brownies + Cream Cheese – once again, it’s your choice, but you can make brownies using a store-bought mix or use homemade brownies. It all depends on how much work you want to put into this. The brownies will be mixed with the cream cheese to make a sweet, slightly tangy mixture.
  • White Chocolate Chips + Peppermint Extract – with these two ingredients I made a peppermint white chocolate topping. But it’s not done without some decorative, tasty bits.
  • Candy Canes – those decorative tasty bits are crushed candy canes. These top the whole dessert and really pulls together the whole theme.

A Note About Peppermint Extract

Imitation peppermint extract isn’t nearly as strong as alcohol or oil-based extracts, so you’ll have to add more in to get a stronger peppermint flavor. You can taste as you go to get the desired amount.

How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Bars

For full details on how to make these Chocolate Peppermint Bars, see the recipe card down below 🙂

Bottom Layer

Spray a 9×13 rectangular pan with non-stick cooking spray and spread cookie dough along the bottom to create an even layer. Bake according to packaged directions, until edges are golden brown. Set aside to cool. 

Middle Layer

Make brownie batter according to packaged directions. Stir in 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Bake. 

Cut any harder crispy edges off the brownies. Scrape the rest of the baked brownies into a large bowl. Carefully mix cream cheese into brownies until it’s generally uniform in color. Scoop brownie mixture onto baked cookie dough. Smooth the top.

Top Layer

Over a double boiler, melt white chocolate and the other teaspoon of peppermint extract. When you are melting the chocolate you need to make sure it doesn’t get too hot or else it will seize up when you stir in the extract.

Spread melted chocolate over brownie. Top with crushed candy canes.

Score the top of the melted white chocolate before putting it into the fridge to help prevent the chocolate from cracking. Place in refrigerator until chocolate has hardened. Cut into bars.

Storage Instructions

Store in the refrigerator, covered, up to 5 days. Or freeze these for up to 3 months!

More Mint Desserts to Try!

These Chocolate Peppermint Bars are the perfect treat for holiday parties so pin it/print it/save it!

Printable recipe card below, enjoy friends!

Chocolate Peppermint Bars
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5 from 2 votes

Layered Chocolate Peppermint Bars

Chocolate Peppermint Bars are part sugar cookie, part mint brownie cream cheese mixture, and part white chocolate! Hello, delicious layers!
servings 24 bars
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough 1 lb 5 oz tube
  • 1 family sized box brownie mix plus eggs, oil, and water
  • 16 oz cream cheese 2 packages
  • 2 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
  • 2 teaspoons peppermint extract* divided
  • 4 candy canes crushed

Instructions

  • Make brownie batter according to packaged directions. Stir in 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Bake and set aside. 
  • Spray a 9×13 rectangular pan with non-stick cooking spray and spread cookie dough along bottom to create an even layer. Bake according to packaged directions, until edges are golden brown. Set aside to cool. 
  • Cut any harder crispy edges off the brownies. Scrape the rest of the baked brownies into a large bowl. Carefully mix cream cheese into brownies until its generally uniform in color. Scoop brownie mixture onto baked cookie dough. Smooth the top.
  • Over a double boiler, melt white chocolate and the other teaspoon of peppermint extract. When you are melting the chocolate you need to make sure it doesn’t get too hot or else it will seize up when you stir in the extract. Spread melted chocolate over brownie. Top with crushed candy canes.
  • Score the top of the melted white chocolate before putting it into the fridge to help prevent the chocolate from cracking. Place in refrigerator until chocolate has hardened. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator up to 5 days.

Notes

*Imitation peppermint extract isn’t nearly as strong as alcohol or oil-based extracts, so you’ll have to add more in to get a stronger peppermint flavor. You can taste as you go to get the desired amount.

Nutrition

Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 134mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 267IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate peppermint bars

And if you are interested, these Peppermint Bars were featured in Good Morning America! Here’s the clip:

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8 Responses
  1. Jessica Elder

    I discovered you when you made these tasty little bars on TV… was it Good Morning America? Or something like that?! Anyways, I have been a follower since and have made many of your recipes!

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  4. Julie Robtoy

    Hi Lauren,
    Just found your website, love your ideas! I have my daughters Valentine party on Tuesday, and would like to bring these, they look yummy! The kids love peppermint, and so do the adults. I do have two questions for you, Do you mix the cooked brownies and cream cheese with a mixer? And how come I don’t see any hint of the sugar cookie bottom in the picture? I would expect it to have a blonde bottom, is it just the angle of the photo? Or am I missing something?

    Thank you!

  5. Renea

    What size cookie dough do you use? I found a small one and a large one. There is a 1 lb .5 oz and there is a 1 lb 14 oz. I bought the big one, but it sure made a thick crust. Help!

    1. Lauren

      Oh no! I thought they only came in the small size! Use the small size! Sorry I didn’t specify! My grocery store doesn’t carry the big ones!

  6. Marilyn Brennan

    5 stars
    I’m the lucky one! I get to taste the concoctions Lauren makes, and this one was a big hit. I took some to a meeting and people enjoyed them so much I gave out your website, Lauren, to two new people. Truly easy, unique and delicious. What an idea…to mix cream cheese into the already cooked brownies…..

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