Name: Java Eggnog Brownies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 2/3 C all purpose flour; 1/4 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 eggs; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 C white sugar; 2 T butter; 2 T water; 1/2 C dark chocolate chips; 1 C semisweet chocolate chips; 1 serving instant coffee grounds; 1 egg yolk; 4 Tbsp white sugar; 1/4 cup eggnog; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 16 oz cream cheese, cubed, room temperature

Jump to Recipe

Looking for a Christmas dessert that will jazz up your holiday festivities and keep everyone buzzing? Meet Java Eggnog Brownies—a decadent treat that’s equal parts rich chocolatey goodness and creamy festive cheer!

Imagine the rich, fudgy goodness of classic brownies mingling with the creamy, spiced warmth of eggnog, and just a touch of coffee to help bring out all that chocolatey goodness. These brownies are the perfect way to make your holiday dessert display jingle with joy!

Why You’ll Love Java Eggnog Brownies

Taste: The ultimate indulgence – chocolate, eggnog, and coffee come together in decadent harmony.
Texture: Rich brownies with a creamy eggnog swirl and a soft, fudgy center – need we say more?
Versatility: Whether you’re hosting a party, bringing dessert to a potluck, or just craving something sweet and seasonal, this recipe has got you covered.

What You’ll Need:

Ingredients:

Brownie Layer

All purpose flour
Baking soda
Salt
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Granulated sugar
Butter
Water
Dark chocolate chips
Semisweet chocolate chips
Instant coffee grounds

Eggnog Swirl

Egg yolk
Granulated sugar
Eggnog
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Cream cheese

Equipment:

9×9 Inch square pan
Parchment paper (optional)
Large mixing bowl
Whisk
Small bowl
3 quart saucepan
Stand Mixer + bowl
Mixing spoons
Table knife, or chopstick

Step-by-Step Directions :

To make things even easier for you, I created a simple photo guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Prepare the Brownie Mixture

Whisking dry ingredients together.

Step 1 – In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Whisking eggs and vanilla extract.

Step 2 – Prepare 2 eggs and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract in a small bowl. Set both bowls aside.

White sugar, butter, and water cooking in a saucepan.

Step 3 – Combine white sugar, butter, and water in a 3 quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until it begins to boil.

Adding chocolate chips to heated sugar water.

Step 4 – Remove mixture from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted and smooth.

Tempering eggs with a bit of the chocolate mixture.

Step 5 – Spoon about 1/4 cup of chocolate mixture into prepared eggs and vanilla and gently combine. Add into the main chocolate mixture. (See tips)

Eggs and coffee grounds mixed into the chocolate mixture.

Step 6 – Stir in coffee grounds until combined.

Combining dry ingredients with flour mixture to create brownie batter.

Step 7 – Slowly add in the flour mixture until just combined. Spread half the batter into the prepared pan.

Prepare the Eggnog Swirl

Whisking an egg in a mixing bowl.

Step 8 – In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat egg yolk with a small whisk until frothy. Place bowl into stand mixer and add in the eggnog, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix until combined.

Whisked egg beaten with eggnog, cream cheese, and spices.

Step 9 – Beat in the cream cheese, a few pieces at a time until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Layer the eggnog mixture on top of the first brownie layer.

Bake:

Brownie batter layered with creamy eggnog and more brownie batter on top.

Step 10 – Spoon remaining brownie batter over the cream cheese layer and spread as best you can to the edges of the pan. Use a table knife or chopstick to drag and swirl the layers together.

Baked Java Eggnog Brownies on a cooling rack.

Step 11 – Bake for 25 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies set up. Do not overbake. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Essential Tips:

Don’t skip these tips – read them before starting to avoid any potential mistakes.

Lining your pan with parchment paper is optional, but it makes a big different when you go to remove the brownies from the pan.
Adding a small quantity of warm chocolate to the egg mixture warms up the mixture so you don’t end up with scrambled eggs in your batter.
Even though the egg yolk for the eggnog swirl is in in the mixer bowl, you’ll need to mix it that egg yolk by hand. A stand mixer may not be able to stir up a single yolk by itself.
Stir the chocolate chips into the brownie batter as soon as it is removed from the heat. If you wait too long, they batter may cool too much to help the chocolate chips melt completely.
Make sure to let the brownies cool completely before cutting into them so they are easier to cut.
Speaking of cutting brownies, I’ve found that using a plastic knife really does work beautifully for cutting brownies. If you have a spare plastic knife, give it a try and see if it works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute the eggnog for something else?

If you don’t like eggnog or can’t find it in stores, try using heavy cream with a dash of nutmeg instead.

Can I make these brownies ahead of time?

Yes! You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator temperature for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 1 month. (Don’t forget to check out the storage tips below for more information.)

Can I use a boxed brownie mix instead?

Yes, you can use a boxed mix if you want to save time. Just follow the instructions on the box and then add in the eggnog swirl layer as directed in this recipe.

Is there a substitute for instant coffee grounds?

You can omit the coffee grounds if you don’t have any on hand. However, they do enhance the chocolate flavor of the brownies.

Giving these away as gifts?

These brownies are so decadent, you’ll want to make sure to put them in a cookie tin or another container to protect them.

Don’t forget to add a cute printable tag to your tin so everyone will know that you made these amazing brownies.

Storage Tips

Make ahead / store:

To make these ahead of time, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. *

Freezing:

Individually wrap each cooled brownie in plastic wrap and then place them all in a freezer safe bag or container. Thaw on the counter or overnight in the fridge before eating.

I usually recommend storing brownies at room temperature. However with the dairy in the eggnog swirl, I recommend keeping these brownies refrigerated and then lightly warming them up before you enjoy them.

If you liked these Java Eggnog Brownies, you’re going to love my White Chocolate Peppermint Blondies. We’ve perfected cake mix blondies and added delicious mint candies to create a fun and flavorful holiday blondie.

Or you can check out my best Christmas desserts recipes right here.

Yield: 12-16 brownies