Christmas Brownie Recipe
If there’s one treat that brings the spirit of the holidays straight to your kitchen, it’s the Christmas Brownie. This festive delight packs all the rich, fudgy decadence you could possibly crave, then goes the extra mile with sparkling holiday sprinkles and a snowy drizzle of white chocolate. Whether you’re baking for a cookie swap, setting out sweets for Santa, or just indulging in a cozy night by the tree, these brownies effortlessly combine celebration and chocolate in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All you need are a handful of staple ingredients—plus a few fun, festive extras. Each one plays a vital part in crafting the melt-in-your-mouth texture, deep chocolate flavor, and cheerful holiday finish that makes these brownies shine front and center on any dessert table.
- Unsalted butter, melted: The rich base for our batter, ensuring tenderness and depth in every bite.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the brownies and creates that signature crinkly top.
- Large eggs: Four eggs add structure and luscious chewiness to every square.
- Vanilla extract: Balances the cocoa, highlighting the brownie’s comforting, homemade flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Just enough to bind everything together without sacrificing fudginess.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: For a deep, chocolatey punch that sets these brownies apart.
- Salt: Brightens all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
- Baking powder: Gives just a subtle lift so your brownies aren’t too dense.
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Pools of melty chocolate in every bite—need I say more?
- Holiday sprinkles: Brings in that cheery, colorful Christmas vibe everyone loves.
- White chocolate chips, melted for drizzling: Adds a pretty and delicious snowy finish to the top.
- Extra holiday sprinkles for topping: For even more festive flair and crunch right before serving.
How to Make Christmas Brownie
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Set your oven to 350°F so it has time to heat up, then line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting a little hang over the edges for easy lifting later. This step is a lifesaver when it comes to removing your brownies cleanly—and who wants to waste a single crumb of this Christmas Brownie?
Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In your largest mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until it’s satiny smooth and glossy. This sets the fudge factor up for success! Crack in the eggs and pour in the vanilla extract, whisking patiently until the mixture is fully combined and slightly lighter in color.
Step 3: Fold in the Dry Ingredients
Sift the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder directly over your wet mixture. Grab a spatula and gently fold the dry goods in. The trick is to mix just until everything is incorporated so you keep the batter thick and luscious—overmixing leads to cakey brownies, and we crave fudgy!
Step 4: Add Festive Mix-Ins
Pour in those semisweet chocolate chips and a generous handful of holiday sprinkles. Folding them in by hand ensures you get both chocolate pockets and pops of color in every slice. At this stage, your Christmas Brownie batter will look and smell downright magical.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula. Pop it in the oven for 28 to 32 minutes. For the ultimate fudgy center, aim to pull your brownies when a toothpick inserted comes out with some moist—not wet—crumbs. Let them cool completely in the pan so they finish setting up.
Step 6: Decorate and Serve
Once the brownies have cooled, drizzle the melted white chocolate all over the top in swoops and swirls. While it’s still melty, scatter over the extra holiday sprinkles. The result? A Christmas Brownie so cheerful and festive, it might just steal the spotlight from all those Christmas cookies.
How to Serve Christmas Brownie
Garnishes
You can never go wrong with a few extra holiday sprinkles or a final dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy touch—but if you want to get truly festive, try cutting your brownies into triangles and adding a mini candy cane stem to mimic adorable Christmas trees. A sprig of mint or sliced strawberries can also add a splash of color and fresh flavor on the side.
Side Dishes
These brownies are wonderfully rich, so pair them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a mug of hot cocoa for pure winter comfort. If you’re hosting a dessert buffet, fresh berries or citrus wedges make a lovely, refreshing contrast alongside these chocolatey treats.
Creative Ways to Present
For party-perfect fun, cut your Christmas Brownie into small squares and skewer them with festive picks, package in clear cellophane bags for edible gifts, or stack them up on a cake stand dotted with twinkling fairy lights. Presenting them as individual “brownie trees” with candy cane trunks is guaranteed to delight kids and grown-ups alike at any holiday gathering!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Christmas Brownie will stay perfectly fresh for up to four days if you keep it covered tightly at room temperature. I recommend using an airtight container or wrapping the pan in plastic wrap to help lock in its soft, fudgy texture and keep the sprinkles crisp.
Freezing
If you want to get ahead on holiday baking, these brownies freeze spectacularly! Cut the cooled brownies into portions, then wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap before sealing in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temp before enjoying.
Reheating
Should you crave that fresh-baked warmth, pop a brownie into the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. It’ll soften the chocolate chips and bring back that melty, just-baked experience without compromising the festive decorations on top.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought brownie mix for this Christmas Brownie recipe?
If you’re short on time, you can use a mix as your base, but the homemade version brings richer flavor and a fudgier texture. Don’t forget to mix in chocolate chips, sprinkles, and follow the decorating steps for a truly festive final product!
How do I make my Christmas Brownie extra fudgy?
For super-fudgy brownies, bake them just until the center is set but still moist. A toothpick should come out with a few sticky crumbs. Also, be sure not to overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients.
Can I make this Christmas Brownie gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour—you’ll still get the same gorgeous results. Just double-check that your other ingredients, like your chocolate chips and sprinkles, are gluten-free as well.
What’s the best way to cut brownies cleanly?
Let them cool completely first, then use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts. For super clean edges, use a plastic knife or dip your knife in hot water before slicing through your Christmas Brownie.
Can I make these brownies ahead?
Yes! You can bake the brownies a day or two in advance, decorate after they’re completely cool, and store tightly covered. This makes life way easier on a busy holiday schedule.
Final Thoughts
If you’re after a show-stopping, crowd-pleasing treat, these Christmas Brownie delights are a surefire winner. I hope you’ll give them a whirl this season and let their gooey, chocolatey magic add a little extra cheer to your holiday table. Happy baking!
Print
Christmas Brownie Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the festive spirit with these delicious Christmas brownies! Rich, chocolatey, and adorned with holiday sprinkles, they are the perfect treat for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Brownie Batter:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup holiday sprinkles
Topping:
- ½ cup white chocolate chips, melted for drizzling
- Extra holiday sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, whisking until combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Gently fold into the wet mixture.
- Stir in Mix-Ins: Add chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles. Mix until combined.
- Bake: Spread batter in the pan and bake for 28-32 minutes.
- Cool and Decorate: Let brownies cool, drizzle melted white chocolate, and top with extra sprinkles. Cut into desired shapes once set.
Notes
- You can cut the brownies into triangles and add candy canes as “tree trunks” for a fun Christmas tree design.
- For a fudgier texture, slightly underbake the brownies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
