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