If you’re dreaming of a festive treat that captures the magic of the holidays in every bite, then this Christmas Brownies Recipe is your new best friend. Rich, fudgy, and packed with colorful holiday mix-ins like red and green M&Ms, crushed candy canes, and sparkling sprinkles, these brownies bring that perfect balance of chocolaty goodness with a joyful crunch. They’re easy to whip up, delightfully kid-friendly, and guaranteed to bring smiles around your holiday table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your ingredients ready for this Christmas Brownies Recipe is straightforward and fun. Each ingredient plays its part in creating a rich texture, deep chocolate flavor, and that festive look that makes these brownies so special.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup/2 sticks): Melts into the base, providing moistness and a smooth, buttery richness.
- Granulated sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the brownies while helping to create that lovely chewy texture.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1 cup): Delivers deep chocolate flavor and an irresistible dark hue.
- Kosher salt (1 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the chocolatey notes.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and complexity to the overall flavor.
- Large eggs (4): Bind everything together and add moisture for that perfect fudgy bite.
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): Provides structure while keeping the brownies tender and dense.
- Chocolate chips (1 cup): Melt slightly to create pockets of melty gooeyness throughout.
- Holiday mix-ins (1 cup): A festive combo of red & green M&Ms, crushed candy canes, Christmas sprinkles, and white chocolate chunks for texture, color, and festive flair.
How to Make Christmas Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This simple trick makes it a breeze to lift the whole batch out once baked, avoiding any sticky cutting mess.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Mix Cocoa
In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter slowly until fully liquid. Remove from heat and whisk in the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. This step ensures the cocoa powder dissolves nicely and blends perfectly into the buttery base.
Step 3: Incorporate Vanilla and Eggs
Add the pure vanilla extract, then whisk in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully combined before adding the next. This gentle whisking helps create that shiny, crackly top typical of amazing brownies.
Step 4: Add Flour Gently
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over your wet ingredients and fold it in just until combined. Avoid overmixing here or you risk developing gluten that could make the brownies tougher instead of tender and fudgy.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Holiday Mix-ins
This is where your brownies get their holiday personality. Gently fold in the chocolate chips and your festive mix of M&Ms, crushed candy canes, sprinkles, and white chocolate chunks. Every bite will be a surprise of textures and colors, bringing holiday cheer to your taste buds.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Spread your batter evenly in the prepared pan. Pop it into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The trick is to watch the center—once a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs, your brownies are perfectly done. Too dry and they lose that fudgy charm!
Step 7: Cool and Cut
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift out using the parchment overhang and cut into generous squares. The festive mix-ins look stunning peeking through each piece, making these brownies as beautiful as they are delicious.
How to Serve Christmas Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra holiday sparkle, dust your brownies with powdered sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate on top. You can also add a few whole candy canes or sprinkles as a finishing touch to amp up the festive vibe just before serving.
Side Dishes
Pair these brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance their rich chocolate intensity. A cup of hot cocoa or peppermint tea also complements the holiday flavors beautifully and warms your soul during chilly winter days.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the brownies in a holiday-themed gift box or on a decorative plate lined with festive napkins. For parties, you can arrange smaller bites on a tiered dessert tray, mixing them with other holiday cookies to create an irresistible seasonal spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your leftover Christmas Brownies Recipe tightly covered at room temperature. They’ll stay beautifully moist and fresh for up to 4 days, perfect for enjoying throughout the week or sharing with unexpected holiday guests.
Freezing
You can freeze brownies for longer storage by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil, or placing them in an airtight container. Frozen brownies maintain their texture well and can be kept for up to 3 months—great for prepping ahead of time!
Reheating
To enjoy a warm brownie, simply microwave a piece for 10 to 15 seconds or pop it in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This quick warm-up revives the soft, melty texture and intensifies those festive flavors.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or omit the added kosher salt in the recipe since salted butter already contains salt. This helps keep the flavor balanced and prevents saltiness from overpowering the chocolate.
What if I don’t have holiday-themed mix-ins?
No problem! Simply use classic chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit. You can also mix in crushed peppermint candies or any colorful candy that fits your festive mood to keep the holiday spirit alive.
How do I know when the brownies are done?
Check by inserting a toothpick in the center—it should come out with moist crumbs but not wet batter. This ensures a fudgy texture rather than cakey or dry brownies.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the batter and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just bring it to room temperature before baking to ensure even cooking.
Are these brownies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free as written. However, you can experiment with a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking to create a gluten-free version.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly joyful about baking and sharing a batch of these Christmas Brownies Recipe during the holiday season. Their rich chocolate flavor, festive colors, and delightful textures are the perfect way to create warm memories with family and friends. Give these a try—you won’t just make brownies, you’ll make holiday magic!
Print
Christmas Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Brownies, a rich and fudgy treat packed with chocolate chips and seasonal holiday mix-ins like red and green M&Ms, crushed candy canes, Christmas sprinkles, and white chocolate chunks. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet gift, these brownies combine classic chocolate goodness with cheerful holiday colors and flavors.
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Add-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup holiday mix-ins (a mix of red & green M&Ms, crushed candy canes, Christmas sprinkles, and white chocolate chunks)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift out the brownies once baked.
- Melt Butter: In a large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat until fully liquefied, ensuring it doesn’t burn.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Remove the melted butter from heat and whisk in the granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and kosher salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Vanilla and Eggs: Whisk in the pure vanilla extract, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth batter.
- Add Flour: Gradually sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the batter and gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to maintain the brownies’ tender texture.
- Fold in Add-ins: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and your choice of holiday mix-ins, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Spread Batter: Pour and spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out for easy slicing into 24 squares. Serve and enjoy your festive treat!
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to keep brownies fudgy.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal of brownies from the pan.
- Customize the holiday mix-ins based on your preference or availability.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For cleaner slices, chill brownies before cutting.
