Mini Brownie Peppermint Parfaits are made with layers of rich brownie, peppermint ice cream & whipped cream for a festive dessert that everyone enjoys!
This peppermint ice cream dessert is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season with a delicious twist. With its easy-to-follow steps, this dessert parfait recipe provides a fun and visually appealing option for your holiday dessert table!
Brownie Peppermint Parfaits: A Festive Layered Dessert
Peppermint Brownie Parfaits combine delightful layers of chocolatey brownies and creamy peppermint ice cream. This dessert brings warmth and holiday cheer to any gathering.
Create these layered ice creams with a tray of thinly baked brownies serving as the base, offering a rich chocolate flavor that complements the coolness of peppermint ice cream. The homemade whipped cream adds a light, airy texture, sweetened with powdered sugar and enhanced with peppermint extract for an extra festive touch.
Finally, a sprinkle of crushed candy canes on top not only adds a beautiful finishing touch but also a satisfying crunch. This dessert is sure to impress guests and provide a nostalgic reminder of holiday treats!
Why you’ll love this Ice Cream Parfait Recipe
- Amazing taste & texture. This Mini Brownie Peppermint Parfait combines rich flavors and festive ingredients. It offers a delightful balance of chocolatey brownies and refreshing peppermint ice cream. Each layer creates a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
- Simple, yet elegant. This dessert is perfect for those who appreciate seasonal flavors. It’s also a great way to impress guests with minimal effort. The visual appeal is as delightful as the taste, making it a beautiful centerpiece for any occasion.
- Easy Preparation: Our recipe allows for both store-bought and homemade options for brownies, whichever is easier for you. The homemade whipped cream takes no effort at all for the amazing results it yields.
Mini Brownie Peppermint Parfait Ingredients
Brownies: You need a 9×13 or 10×15 tray of thin baked brownies. Use store bought or make from scratch, just be sure to make it in the large size pan to ensure you have thin (1″ thick) brownies.
Ice cream: Use ½ gallon of your favorite peppermint ice cream for this recipe.
Heavy cream: Make homemade whipped cream by using ½ cup of heavy whipping cream.
Powder sugar: Add in ¼ cup of powdered sugar.
Peppermint extract: Use ¼ tsp of peppermint extract for more amazing flavor.
Candy canes: Garnish the tops with about ½ cup of crushed candy cane pieces.
How to make Mini Brownie Peppermint Parfaits
Prep
Before you can begin the assembly process, there are three main tasks you need to complete.
First, you need to bake the brownies. You can use a 16-oz store bought boxed mix and baked them in a 10×15 jelly roll pan. Or you can use my favorite homemade brownie recipe, baked in a 9×13 pan. The brownies need to be less than 1-inch thin to work well for this recipe.
Next, you need to decide what cup or glass you want to use. It’s important to decide this BEFORE you cut your brownies to make sure they fit. You need 2 layers of brownie and about 1″ layer of ice cream in each cup, so aim for a cup/glass that’s at least 3″ tall, as the whipped cream layer can extend beyond the top of the cup.
Lastly, once you have your brownies baked & the parfait cup decided on, measure how big the brownies need to be and make sure you have a cutting utensil for them. I use biscuit cutters that have a handle & come in a set, so you have size options!
Proceed to cut the brownies into the size and shape needed for your cups. You’ll need 2 per cup, and most brownie recipes will yield around 20 circles, depending on size. Place the brownie circles on a tray and chill in the fridge until needed.
Ice cream prep
Remove the ice cream from the freezer and open the carton to expose the block of ice cream. Using a large, thin knife, cut 1″ slices of ice cream, one or two at a time (so they don’t melt). Use the biscuit cutter and cut 10 rounds of ice cream, placing the rounds on another pan. You will not need all the ice cream for the parfaits but cutting the rounds from slices is so much easier than scooping and shaping! Place the remaining ice cream back in the carton and the ice cream rounds into the freezer until needed.
Peppermint Whipped Cream
In a large bowl combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and extract, beat with an electric mixer on high for 4-5 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Then transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag with an open star tip and refrigerate until ready to use.
Assemble Parfaits
Start assembling each cup by placing a brownie round in the bottom of each cup. Then top with the round peppermint ice cream, followed by another brownie. After that pipe a swirl of whipped cream on top, fully covering the brownie. Sprinkle with peppermint candy cane pieces.
Serve and enjoy!
Mini Brownie Peppermint Parfaits
Ingredients
- 1 9×13 pan of thin baked brownies or 10 x 15 pan if using a large store-bought mix
- ½ gallon peppermint ice cream block
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
- ½ cup crushed candy cane pieces
Instructions
- Prep: Before you can begin the assembly process, there are three main tasks you need to complete.
- Bake the brownies. You can use a 16-oz store bought boxed mix and baked them in a 10×15 jelly roll pan. Or you can use my favorite homemade brownie recipe, baked in a 9×13 pan. The brownies need to be less than 1-inch thin to work well for this recipe.
- Decide what cup or glass you want to use. You need 2 layers of brownie and about 1" layer of ice cream in each parfait cup, so aim for a cup/glass that's at least 3" tall, as the whipped cream layer can extend beyond the top of the cup.
- Measure how big the brownies need to be and make sure you have a cutting utensil for them. I use biscuit cutters that have a handle & come in a set, so you have size options!
- Cut the brownies into the size and shape needed for your parfait cups. You'll need 2 per cup, and most brownie recipes will yield around 20 circles, depending on size. Place the brownie circles on a tray and chill in the fridge until needed.
- Ice cream prep: Remove the ice cream from the freezer and open the carton to expose the block of ice cream. Use a large knife to cut 1" slices of ice cream, one or two at a time (so they don't melt). Use the biscuit cutter and cut 10 rounds of ice cream, placing the rounds on another pan. You will not need all the ice cream for the parfaits but cutting the rounds from slices is so much easier than scooping and shaping! Place the remaining ice cream back in the carton and the ice cream rounds into the freezer until needed.
- Peppermint Whipped Cream: In a large bowl combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and extract, beat with an electric mixer on high for 4-5 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag with an open star tip and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Assemble Parfaits: Place a brownie round in the bottom of each parfait cup, top with a round peppermint ice cream, followed by another brownie. Pipe a swirl of whipped cream on top, fully covering the brownie. Sprinkle with peppermint candy cane pieces. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Serving suggestions for this dessert
Mini Brownie Peppermint Parfait can be served in various ways to enhance the experience.
- Presentation: Use clear glass cups or jars to layer the ingredients. This showcases the colorful layers of brownie, ice cream, whipped cream, and crushed candy canes.
- Serving Size: It is ideal to serve in small portions. Individual cups help control servings and make it easy for guests to enjoy.
- Drizzle: A chocolate or caramel drizzle can complement the flavors. Use it sparingly for an elegant touch.
- Accompaniments: Pair with a hot drink such as peppermint mocha or cocoa. This adds to the holiday spirit.
- Chill Levels: Serve the parfaits immediately after assembling for the best texture. If prepared in advance, store in the freezer until ready to serve.
How long are these parfaits good for & how do you store them?
Mini Brownie Peppermint Parfaits can be stored in the freezer for up to three days. To keep them fresh, cover each parfait with plastic wrap or a lid.
How can you enhance the flavor of brownies for a parfait?
To enhance brownie flavor, consider adding ingredients like espresso powder or chocolate chips. Incorporating a small amount of vanilla extract can also enrich the overall taste.
Which pan size should be used to achieve the perfect thin brownie layer?
A 9×13 or 10×15 inch pan is ideal for baking thin brownies. This size ensures that the brownies will be approximately 1 inch thick, perfect for layering in parfaits.
How do you achieve the perfect consistency for homemade whipped cream?
For optimal whipped cream consistency, use cold heavy cream and beat it on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Avoid overwhipping, as this can lead to a grainy texture.
What techniques are recommended for garnishing with crushed candy canes?
Crushed candy canes can be sprinkled on top of the parfaits for decoration. Using a food processor or a plastic bag with a rolling pin helps achieve the desired crumb size.
Love peppermint holiday recipes? Try our favorite desserts here:
- PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
- HOLIDAY PEPPERMINT ICE CREAM CAKE ROLL
- EASY PEPPERMINT CHEX MIX
- EASY CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PATTIES
- 2 INGREDIENT PEPPERMINT FONDUE
- BROWNIE PEPPERMINT ICE CREAM PIE
- PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BREAD
- DARK CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CREAM PIE
- SWIRLED PEPPERMINT BUNDT CAKE
- CHOCOLATE DIPPED PEPPERMINT MERINGUES
- PEPPERMINT OREO FUDGE
- PEPPERMINT OREO POKE CAKE
- HOMEMADE PEPPERMINT NOUGAT CANDY
- FROSTED PEPPERMINT COOKIES
Mini Brownie Peppermint Parfaits combine thin, rich brownies with refreshing peppermint ice cream and festive whipped cream, making it a perfect treat for gatherings. This peppermint ice cream parfait is a wonderful addition to your next holiday dessert table!
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