The smell of chocolate baking on a chilly December night feels like holiday magic. These easy Christmas brownies bring that joy in every fudgy bite, with a swirl of festive icing and a shower of sprinkles. They’re quick to whip up, fun to decorate, and perfect for sharing with neighbors or bringing to a party.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Easy Christmas Brownies
You’ll love these brownies because they check every holiday box: fudgy centers, shiny tops, and endless decorating fun. They’re simple enough for weeknight baking but festive enough for your Christmas dessert table. Plus, the recipe starts with a brownie mix and builds on it, so you get from bowl to oven in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Brownie Base
- 1 box favorite brownie mix
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature, divided)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup walnuts (optional)
For the Royal Icing & Decoration
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons meringue powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
- Green food coloring (optional)
- Christmas sprinkles, star sprinkles, or crushed candy canes
Add-Ons & Festive Variations
- Candy Cane Brownies: Mix ½ cup crushed candy canes into the batter. Add more on top after baking.
- Gingerbread Twist: Add ½ teaspoon ground ginger and decorate with mini gingerbread men.
- Orange Zest: Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh zest for a bright, citrusy bite.
- Christmas M&M’s: Replace walnuts with red and green M&M’s.
- Homemade Option: Skip the box mix and make your favorite scratch base.
How to Make Easy Christmas Brownies
Step 1 – Prepare the Pan & Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a square pan and line with parchment, leaving some overhang. Dust lightly with cocoa powder to prevent sticking.
Step 2 – Make the Brownie Batter
In a bowl, stir cocoa powder with baking soda. Add half the melted butter and a splash of brewed coffee if using. Stir until glossy. Mix in brown sugar, yolks, and the rest of the butter until smooth. Add flour, salt, and vanilla, then gently fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
Step 3 – Bake Until Fudgy
Pour batter into your pan and spread evenly. Bake 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Don’t overbake if you want that fudgy center.
Step 4 – Cool & Cut
Let brownies cool fully in the pan. Lift out with parchment and cut into 24 neat squares, wiping your knife between cuts for clean edges.
Step 5 – Mix Royal Icing
Whisk powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla, and water until smooth. Adjust consistency with a little more water or sugar. Add green food coloring if you’d like tree designs.
Step 6 – Decorate with a Festive Touch
Transfer icing to a piping bag or sandwich bag with the tip snipped. Pipe Christmas trees, stars, or snowflakes. Sprinkle with stars, candy canes, or M&M’s. Let icing set before storing or serving.
Expert Tips for Perfect Holiday Brownies
- For fudgy brownies, stop baking when a toothpick shows moist crumbs.
- Always use room-temperature butter and eggs for smooth batter.
- If icing feels too thick, add water by the teaspoon. If too thin, whisk in more powdered sugar.
- Cut brownies with a clean knife for sharp edges.
- Line pans with foil or parchment so you can lift the whole slab out for easy decorating.
- No piping bag? Use a sandwich bag with the tip cut off.
FAQ – Easy Christmas Brownies
Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the brownies a day or two in advance. Store them uncut in an airtight container, then decorate before serving.
How should I store and freeze decorated brownies?
Keep decorated brownies in a container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for freshness. For freezing, layer them with parchment in a sealed container.
Do I have to use coffee in the batter?
No, coffee is optional. It deepens the chocolate flavor, but the brownies taste delicious without it.
Easy Christmas Brownies Recipe Card
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Easy Christmas Brownies – Festive & Fudgy Holiday Treat
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 brownies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fudgy Easy Christmas Brownies with shiny tops and simple royal icing trees or snowflakes. Quick, fun, and perfect for gifting.
Ingredients
BROWNIES
1 box brownie mix
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp, divided
1 cup brown sugar
2 egg yolks, room temp
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts, optional
2 tablespoons brewed coffee, optional
ROYAL ICING & DECOR
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons meringue powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons water, as needed
Green food coloring, optional
Christmas or star sprinkles
Crushed candy canes, optional
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a square baking pan with parchment.
2. Dust the pan lightly with cocoa powder.
3. In a bowl, mix cocoa powder and baking soda.
4. Add half the melted butter and brewed coffee if using. Stir until glossy.
5. Mix in brown sugar, egg yolks, and the remaining butter until smooth.
6. Add flour, salt, and vanilla. Mix gently until just combined.
7. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts if using.
8. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
9. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
10. Cool completely in the pan.
11. Lift out, then cut into 24 squares, cleaning the knife between cuts.
12. Make icing by mixing powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla, and water. Tint green if desired.
13. Transfer icing to a piping bag. Pipe trees or snowflakes. Add sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Let set before storing.
Notes
For fudgy brownies, pull them when a toothpick shows moist crumbs.
Line the pan with foil or parchment with overhang for easy lifting.
Adjust icing thickness with water or powdered sugar.
Coffee boosts chocolate flavor but it is optional.
Store airtight at room temp up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer.
Freeze decorated brownies between parchment layers in an airtight container.
Add holiday twists: 1/2 cup crushed candy cane, or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, or 1 tablespoon orange zest, or swap walnuts for red and green M&M’s.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Easy & Decadent Christmas Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
More Such Recipes
If you’re planning a holiday spread, you’ll also love these:
- Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies for a festive holiday twist
- One Bowl Peppermint Brownies that are perfect for the season
- Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies for a cozy spiced treat
- Christmas Crack Saltine Toffee to complete your dessert table
Final Thoughts
These easy Christmas brownies are more than a dessert. They’re a little piece of holiday fun baked into a square. You can keep them classic, or try candy cane crunch, gingerbread spice, or citrusy orange zest. However you decorate, they’ll bring smiles to the table.
If you try them, share your batch on Pinterest or join the holiday baking fun on Facebook.