Frosted Christmas Brownies: The Best Holiday Brownie Recipe

Frosted Christmas Brownies are my official party trick during the holidays. Just picture it – you’re staring at a dessert table and somehow the plain brownies are always ignored, right? But you toss some creamy frosting and fun sprinkles on them, suddenly they’re the star. Everyone wants a piece (I mean, literally and figuratively). These are my answer to the “what do I bring?” panic before potlucks. So, if you need a wildly easy crowd-pleaser that looks like you tried a lot harder than you actually did – keep reading.

Why These Frosted Christmas Brownies Are a Holiday Favorite

Let’s get it out in the open: I have strong feelings about brownies. Especially frosted Christmas brownies. This is not the time for dry, crumbly stuff. We’re talking about dense, fudgy squares topped with that snowy buttercream and bright, jolly sprinkles. What I love most is how flexible they are – you can slap on a thick cream cheese frosting or stick with classic vanilla, toss on any color sprinkles you want and boom, instant holiday cheer.

TL;DR

Frosted Christmas Brownies – Quick Info

Servings

16 brownies

Total Time

~40 minutes

Calories Per Serving

~379 kcal

Difficulty

Easy

• Dense, fudgy brownies topped with creamy vanilla frosting
• Festive sprinkles, peppermint, or Christmas tree cut-outs
• Perfect for potlucks, dessert trays, and holiday parties
• Make ahead, freezer-friendly, kid-friendly decorating

Main Ingredients:
• Butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips, sugar, eggs
• Flour, cocoa powder, vanilla, frosting + sprinkles

It isn’t just me. I swear my family waits for these all season. Kids go wild for the decorations, honestly adults too. And if you’re in need of more holiday treats, I always check out these Christmas sugar cookies for inspiration. Perks? These brownies taste ridiculously good the next day. No need to stress about last-minute baking.

Ingredients for Frosted Christmas Brownies

So, here’s what you’ll need for the brownies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 and 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

If you need to double-check amounts, I keep a printed sheet, because I forget stuff mid-baking. Happens every time.

Frosting Ingredients & Holiday Decorations

Alright, the fun part – you get to pick the frosting and the decorations! Here’s what I usually use:

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring (red, green, or whatever grabs your attention)
• Edible sprinkles, nonpareils, or crushed peppermint

If you want wild red and green swirls, go for it. Feeling simple? White frosting and gold stars look super fancy. Once I just crumbled some snowmen truffles Christmas on top for major wow factor.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Christmas Brownies from Scratch

Let’s be honest, “from scratch” sounds intimidating, but this is no five-star restaurant recipe. First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking pan with parchment (this is my “don’t stick, don’t cry” tip). Melt the butter and chocolate chips together – a microwave is fine if you’re careful. Set it aside a bit to cool off. Whisk in your sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.

Dump in the dry ingredients and gently stir. Don’t overmix, unless you like weirdly tough brownies. Pour the batter in, smooth it out, and bake until they’re just set. Cool them completely before you frost or the top melts into a sugar puddle. Trust me, I’ve made that mistake twice.

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Baking Times and Pan Size Tips

Not gonna lie, pan size matters more than I want it to. For regular thickness, use an 8-inch square pan. It’ll bake for about 25 minutes. Mine are always best when I check at 23 minutes with a toothpick. Want thinner brownies? Use a bigger pan, but watch the timer since they bake fast.

Don’t be shy about checking early and often. That feeling when you cut in and see gooey, shiny centers – worth babysitting the oven. Go bigger for a party platter, or double the recipe for a crowd. Quick math: two pans = double happiness!

Pro Tips for the Best Fudgy Christmas Brownies

Alright – this is where all my kitchen flop moments come in handy. First, ditch the mixer for brownies. Overmixing will make them chewy and not in a good way. Also, always sift the cocoa. Lumpy batter is tragic. Bake just until the edges are firm but the middle jiggles a little.

Honestly, letting them cool in the pan is the hardest part. If you’re rushing, you’ll end up with a squishy mess (don’t ask how I know). And always, always frost after they’ve cooled down.

How to Avoid Dry or Cakey Brownies

Here’s where things can go sideways if you’re not careful. Overbaking is public enemy number one for brownies. If your oven runs hot, check five minutes early. Using room temperature eggs helps keep everything nice and smooth, which I did not know until last year.

Under-mixing is better than over-mixing every time, in my book. Oh, and if you sub in whole wheat flour, expect a little more density. That’s not always a bad thing – just don’t expect cupcake fluff.

Correct Way to Melt Chocolate for Smooth Batter

Microwave or stovetop, both work. But…and this is critical, if you scorch that chocolate it turns grainy and bitter. Use short bursts (I do 20 seconds at a time), stirring often. On the stovetop, go low and slow, stirring more than feels necessary.

If you want, add in a dab of butter to help it melt silkier. Don’t even think about pouring hot chocolate straight into the eggs. Too hot = sweet scrambled eggs, nobody wants that.

How to Decorate Christmas Brownies Like a Pro

Want bakery vibes? Frost the brownies when totally cool. Spread with a thick layer, then press on sprinkles while it’s tacky, don’t wait too long. Lining the brownies up and piping little zig-zags or dots of colored icing makes them look ultra festive.

One year I went all out with peppermint crushed candy and gold sugar. Another time, I used this trick from Christmas bread recipes and added cranberries on top (surprisingly tasty). Imagination wins here.

Christmas Brownie Variations

You don’t have to stick with classic chocolate. I’ve stirred in chopped nuts, white chocolate chunks, even a swirl of raspberry jam from my go-to Christmas jam recipe. For more treats, peek at other Christmas recipes for topping ideas.

If you’re a caramel lover, drizzle right before serving. Candy pieces work too. You honestly can’t mess this up unless you forget the frosting (I’ve done that, huge mistake).

Peppermint Christmas Brownies

Here’s my secret, peppermint extract! Just a tiny bit mixed into the batter, then top the frosting with crushed peppermint candies or even snowmen truffles Christmas to go all in. That little bite of mint, paired with chocolate, just screams winter.

Don’t go wild with the extract. A quarter teaspoon does the job. Too much and your brownies will taste like toothpaste. No one wants that.

Christmas Tree Cut-Out Brownies

If you really wanna impress, use a Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter once the brownies are totally frosted and set. Pipe green icing around the edges, add sprinkles for ornaments. Sticking a small pretzel stick for the tree trunk is adorable.

These are a hit with kids, and honestly look super professional if you’re taking them to a party. Pinterest-worthy, truly. Be warned, you lose some edges when cutting shapes, but chef’s snack, right?

Gluten-Free Christmas Brownies

Switch out the regular flour for a gluten-free blend you trust. I’ve tried it and they’re honestly just as fudgey. Check baking times, though, they bake a bit faster. Mix gently since gluten-free mixes can be dense if overworked.

Frost and decorate as usual. I always label them so everyone knows they’re safe, but you honestly can’t tell they’re gluten-free once you add the frosting.

Dairy-Free or Vegan Options

Substitute vegan butter and use a flax egg or your favorite egg replacer. Most cocoa powders are already vegan, but double-check that. For frosting, a simple dairy-free buttercream works fine or go for coconut whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy.

Tastes a little different…yes, not gonna lie! but still festive. Allergies shouldn’t mean skipping dessert.

Serving Ideas for Holiday Parties

Okay, now the fun part. Here are a few simple serving tricks to up your brownie game:

• Cut brownies into mini squares for bite-size snacks.
• Stack brownie pieces on a festive tray, layered with parchment.
• Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you wanna be extra.
• Tuck a few into treat bags with ribbon for a sweet stocking stuffer.

Trust me, nothing brings more smiles than a pile of decorated brownies on the dessert table.

How to Cut Brownies Neatly for Christmas Platters

I’ve been fighting the sticky knife battle for ages. Cleanest results? Use a plastic knife or a warm chef’s knife, just rinse and wipe after each cut. Letting them chill in the fridge before slicing keeps the frosting tidy.

If you cut while warm, expect a gooey mess. For clean, pro-looking edges, always take your time. Rush it and it’s crumb city.

Fun Ways to Present Brownies for Christmas Gatherings

Stack ‘em up on a cake stand with mini fairy lights, or lay out different flavors in a checkerboard pattern. Sometimes I bring individual brownie boxes for party favors. Want even more fun? Mix them in with other treats like Christmas sugar cookies for an epic dessert board.

Brownie towers also make great centerpieces if you need a last-minute wow factor. Add greenery for a holiday vibe.

How to Store Brownies to Keep Them Soft

Airtight container, always. If you frosted them, a single layer works best to save your decorations. Toss a piece of bread in with the brownies; it’ll keep them softer, longer. They’re good at room temp for up to 4 days, in my experience.

If you chill them, let them come to room temp before serving so the frosting isn’t too stiff.

Freezer Instructions for Holiday Batch Baking

These brownies freeze like a dream. I cut them, freeze on a tray until firm (so they don’t stick), then layer in a container with parchment between. Thaw at room temp before frosting so you don’t end up with a wet, drippy disaster.

I make extra batches before things get nutty in December, and it’s a huge stress-saver. Just don’t forget to label the date.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Alright, so let’s be real: brownies aren’t health food, but they’re worth it for the holidays. Each brownie (if you cut into 16) is about 380 calories, 21g fat, 44g carbs, 3g protein. Maybe slightly less if you use plant-based swaps.

Sugar is on the higher side, because, well, frosting. But hey, it’s Christmas. Cut ‘em smaller if you want to try lots of treats!

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Nutrition Facts – Frosted Christmas Brownies

Serving Size: 1 brownie (1/16 of 8-inch pan) · Recipe makes 16 servings

Calories

~379

Total Fat

~21.3 g

Saturated Fat

~13.2 g

Cholesterol

~62 mg

Sodium

~75 mg

Total Carbohydrates

~44.1 g

Total Sugars

~37.4 g

Protein

~2.8 g

Dietary Fiber

~1.6 g

*Estimates per serving based on the ingredients in this post (butter, semisweet chocolate chips, granulated & powdered sugar, eggs, all-purpose flour, cocoa, milk, vanilla, salt) and a 16-slice yield. Values are rounded and will vary by brand and frosting thickness. Calculated using USDA average data for common ingredients and standard brownie frostings. Sources: USDA FoodData Central, Verywell Fit Recipe Analyzer, MyFitnessPal Recipe Calculator.

Troubleshooting & Common Questions

Why Did My Brownies Turn Out Dry?

Oof, don’t you hate that? Usually, it’s overbaking or using too much flour. Always check a few minutes early and spoon-fluff your flour before measuring.

How Do I Know When Brownies Are Done?

The “toothpick test” is your friend, should come out with a few moist crumbs but not raw. They’ll finish setting as they cool, so pull them out a bit earlier than you think.

Can I Use Boxed Brownie Mix for This Recipe?

Absolutely, and I won’t tell anyone. Just doctor it up with butter instead of oil and toss in a splash of vanilla. Frost and decorate as usual for a “homemade” feel.

Do These Brownies Travel Well?

Yes, they do! I pack them single layer in a sealed container, especially for things like Christmas recipes. If you’re stacking, slip parchment between layers to protect the frosting.

Any Fun Add-Ins For Kids?

Mini marshmallows, candy cane pieces, or red and green M&Ms work like magic. The more the merrier (and messier, in my kitchen anyway).

Frosted Christmas Brownies to Brighten Your Holiday

Okay, so now you know my not-so-secret Frosted Christmas Brownies secret sauce. Why stick with store-bought when homemade takes just half an hour and tastes a hundred times better? I’m always on the hunt for more holiday ideas, so if you want to explore fresh twists, check out recipes on sites like Serious Eats, too. Just remember, stay flexible, have fun, and don’t let a cracked top ruin your Christmas spirit. Promise, these brownies make the holiday table (and your friends) way happier. Happy baking and, honestly, save at least one piece for yourself! Save the recipe to your board!