No-Bake Vegan Peppermint Brownies

By Deryn Macey

on Dec 21, 2020, Updated Aug 28, 2024

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These no-bake vegan peppermint brownies with chocolate ganache and crushed candy canes are easy to make and perfect for Christmas!

Stack of 3 vegan peppermint brownies topped with ganache and candy canes.

Table of Contents

About the Recipe

These delicious brownies are vegan, gluten-free and quick and easy to make with just 9 simple ingredients. They use candy canes and peppermint for the perfect holiday dessert or you can leave those out for a sweet treat anytime of year.

You can also use candy canes and peppermint in these Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Cookies and peppermint in these Vegan Thin Mints Cookies .

If you’re looking for more Christmas treats, these Homemade Vegan Ferrero Rocher and Easy Homemade Vegan Turtles Candy and Vegan Rum Balls are all fun and easy to make.

Ingredients

  • Nuts: I used a mixture of walnuts and almonds but you can use all walnuts or a mixture of walnuts and pecans…anything goes.
  • Dates: any variety works as long as they’re soft and moist, if not you can soak them first
  • Cocoa Powder: any variety works, use dark cocoa powder if you can find it!
  • Chocolate: I used dairy-free chocolate chips but dark chocolate also works
  • Coconut Milk or Cream: Use good quality, thick, full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. If you’re worried your coconut milk won’t be thick enough, place a can in the fridge overnight then scoop off the thick coconut cream when you’re ready to make the brownies
  • Peppermint Extract: I love Simply Organic Peppermint Flavor but any kind work.

This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before You Start: Line a 7 or 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper so the edges of the paper stick out over the sides of the pan. Also, add the candy canes to a bag and crush with a heavy object such as a rolling pin, pepper mill or small hammer.

Blended almonds and walnuts in a food processor.

Step 1. Add the walnuts and almonds to a food processor and blend into a grainy flour.

Blended chocolate dough in a food processor.

Step 2. Add the rest of the brownie ingredients and blend into a sticky dough you can easily press between your fingers.

Hands pressing chocolate dough into a small square baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Step 3: Firmly press the dough into a lined 8×8-inch loaf pan.

Hands using a spoon to mix a bowl of melted chocolate.

Step 3. Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave or using the double boiler method. I like to use the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds. Once it’s mostly melted, stir to mix in any remaining bits. Add the coconut cream or coconut milk to the chocolate and stir until smooth and creamy.

Hand sprinkling crushed candy canes over melted chocolate in a pan.

Step 5: Spread the melted chocolate over the brownies in the pan. Top with the crushed candy canes.

Tray of peppermint brownies sliced into 16 portions on a piece of parchment paper.

Step 6: Place the entire pan in the fridge or freezer until the ganache is firm then lift out of the pan and cut into squares. Enjoy!

Storing

  • Fridge: Store in a sealed container for up to 1 week.
  • Freezer: Store in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
  • Room Temperature: The ganache will start to get very soft after some time so I’d recommend keeping in the fridge until shortly before serving.
Stack of 4 peppermint brownies topped with crushed candy canes on a small plate.

More Christmas Recipes

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to comment section below to leave your star rating and review.

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Stack of 4 peppermint brownies topped with crushed candy canes on a small plate.

No-Bake Vegan Peppermint Brownies

By: Deryn Macey
These delicious no-bake brownies have a peppermint twist that’s perfect for the holidays!
Prep: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 16
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Ingredients 

For the Brownies

  • 1 cup raw almonds, 150 g
  • 1 cup raw walnuts, 150 g
  • 2 cups packed soft pitted dates, 440 g
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 50 g
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Ganache and Topping

  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate, 120 g
  • 3 tbsp full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream, 45 g
  • 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1 large or a few small crushed candy canes

Instructions 

  • Line a 7 or 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper so it sticks out over the sides of the pan.
  • Add the almonds and walnuts to a food processor and process into a grainy flour.
  • Add the rest of the brownie ingredients and blend into a thick, sticky dough you can press between your fingers.
  • Firmly press the dough into the lined baking pan. Set aside while you make the ganache.
  • Place the candy canes in a bag and smash with a heavy object such as a rolling pin, pepper mill or small hammer.
  • Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds until mostly melted, then stirring to melt in any remaining bits, or use a double boiler to melt it.
  • Add the coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk (shake very well if opening a new can) to the melted chocolate and stir together until combined, smooth and creamy.
  • Spread the melted chocolate mixture over the brownies in the pan then sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the chocolate.
  • Place the pan in the fridge or freezer until the ganache is firm, about 30-45 minutes. Lift the brownies out of the pan and cut into 16 squares.

Notes

For peppermint mocha brownies, add 2 tsp espresso powder or instant coffee to the brownie mixture.
If you have a smaller baking pan, around 7 inches square that will work best for the thickness of the final brownies. 
If you don’t have almonds on hand, you can use 2 cups walnuts or 1 cup of walnuts and 1 cup of pecans, or all almonds works. If you’re a bit short on nuts, that’s ok too! It’s pretty flexible.
It’s important to use soft, moist dates in this recipe. If your dates are overly dry, soak them (pitted) in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using in the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1brownie, Calories: 225kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 12g, Sodium: 37mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 23g
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Originally published on February 8, 2017. Updated December 2020 with new photos and text.

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