If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat to dazzle your holiday guests, then you seriously can’t go wrong with my Festive Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe. I absolutely love how these rich, fudgy brownies topped with brightly colored frosting and festive sprinkles bring out the holiday spirit in the most delicious way. Whether you’re baking for a big family gathering or just want to create some sweet holiday memories with friends, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and I can’t wait to share all my tips so you nail it every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Festive: These brownies come alive with colorful frosting and edible decorations that perfectly capture holiday cheer.
- Easy to Make: Using boxed brownie mix keeps things simple but still super tasty – perfect for busy holiday cooks.
- Customizable Frosting: You can control the shade and thickness of your frosting to suit your style and taste.
- Great for Parties: These brownies are sturdy yet soft, making them ideal for serving in all kinds of festive get-togethers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Festive Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe are straightforward, but each plays a crucial role in the final result. I recommend grabbing good quality frosting and edible decorations to make your brownies truly stand out.
- Brownie Mix: I usually use two boxes to get nice thick brownies, but a single box works too if you want thinner layers.
- White Frosting: Choose a creamy one that spreads easily and holds color well when you mix in your food coloring.
- Edible Gel Food Coloring: I prefer gel because it doesn’t thin the frosting; plus, you can mix your own custom shades of red and green.
- Edible Gold Stars: These add a touch of sparkle and festive magic on top.
- White Pearl Sprinkles: They add lovely texture and look like tiny snowballs.
- Icing Bags and Tips: Having a large star tip (like 1M) makes decorating so much easier and gives that classic piped look.
Variations
I love that this Festive Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe is super easy to tweak. Over the years, I’ve tried adding my own twist with some delicious success, and I encourage you to make it your own too!
- Add Nuts: I sometimes toss in chopped walnuts or pecans into the brownie batter to up the texture and add a little crunch.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free brownie mix to keep things gluten-conscious without sacrificing flavor.
- Alternative Frostings: For a dairy-free option, I swap the white frosting with a coconut-based one, and it tastes amazing when tinted.
- Extra Festive Toppings: Play around with crushed candy canes or colored sugar sprinkles for different holiday vibes.
How to Make Festive Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Mix the Brownies
Start by preheating your oven according to the instructions on your brownie mix box. I usually go with the recommended temperature because it works perfectly. Next, spray a 9-inch springform pan with some cooking spray. I love using a springform pan here because it makes removing the brownies a breeze without messing with their shape.
Step 2: Bake Your Brownies
Mix both boxes of brownie mix (or your homemade double batch) according to package instructions. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth it out evenly. Because I use a double batch for extra thick brownies, I found baking takes a bit longer than the package suggests—usually about 5-10 minutes extra. To know when they’re done, poke a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, you’re good to go.
Step 3: Cool and Cut Into Triangles
Once your brownies are baked, let them cool completely in the pan—that’s a tough part because the smell is irresistible! When cool, carefully release the springform sides and transfer the slab onto a cutting board. Cut the brownies into 8 even triangles; these will be your mini Christmas “trees” and “hats.”
Step 4: Color Your Frosting
In small bowls, mix your white frosting with gel food coloring—one red bowl and one green. I start with a tiny dab of color and add more slowly until I get the perfect festive shades. Remember, the frosting color will look darker on the brownies, so don’t be afraid to make it vibrant.
Step 5: Decorate Like a Pro
Fill separate icing bags with your red, green, and leftover white frosting, each fitted with a large star tip. Pipe green frosting onto some brownie triangles to create Christmas tree shapes, then embellish with white pearl sprinkles and edible gold stars—they look like tiny ornaments! For the Santa hat brownies, I use both red and white frosting to capture those classic holiday vibes. This decorating part is so much fun and a great activity to get kids involved.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Arrange your beautifully decorated brownies on a festive platter and get ready for compliments. Trust me, once you try this Festive Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe, your family and friends will be asking for them year after year.
Pro Tips for Making Festive Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe
- Double Batch Baking: When I doubled the batch, I noticed the brownies took longer to cook—don’t rush it! Use the toothpick test and check every few minutes after the package timing.
- Perfect Frosting Colors: Using gel food coloring is key. Adding too much liquid food coloring can make your frosting runny and harder to pipe.
- Sprinkle Strategically: Add your edible gold stars and pearl sprinkles while the frosting is still soft so they stick well and look naturally festive.
- Springform Pan Approach: The pan made it super easy to remove the brownies whole, avoiding broken edges—highly recommend this over a regular baking pan.
How to Serve Festive Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
For me, the edible gold stars and white pearl sprinkles are not just pretty—they also add a delightful crunch and festive elegance. Sometimes, I toss a little edible glitter for an extra sparkle if I’m feeling fancy!
Side Dishes
These brownies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or a warm mug of spiced apple cider—perfect for cozy winter evenings. If you’re serving a full spread, consider light fruit platters or peppermint bark to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
I love arranging these brownies on a tiered cake stand surrounded by pine sprigs and fairy lights for a magical holiday display. Another fun idea is packaging them individually in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons—makes for delightful edible gifts!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover brownies keep well covered in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I usually wrap them individually in plastic wrap before stacking to keep the frosting intact and prevent sticking.
Freezing
I’ve had great luck freezing these frosted brownies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transferring to an airtight bag. Thaw them overnight in the fridge for best results—frosting texture stays pretty good!
Reheating
If you want to warm up a brownie slice, I recommend heating it gently for 10-15 seconds in the microwave. You don’t want to melt the frosting, just give that fudgy center a little warmth.
FAQs
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Can I make these brownies from scratch instead of using a mix?
Absolutely! My Festive Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe works great with a homemade brownie batter too. Just be sure to make a double batch if you want that thick, sliceable texture perfect for decorating.
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How do I avoid the frosting colors bleeding or running?
Using gel food coloring helps prevent runny frosting. Also, make sure the brownies are fully cooled before frosting to avoid melting, which can cause colors to mix or slide off.
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Can I prepare these brownies ahead of time for a party?
Yes! You can bake the brownies a day or two ahead, keep them wrapped well, and frost them the day you plan to serve for the freshest look and flavor.
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What if I don’t have a springform pan?
No worries—you can use a regular 9-inch round or square baking pan. Just be extra careful when removing the brownies, perhaps lining the pan with parchment paper for easier release.
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Are there alternatives to the decorative sprinkles?
Definitely! Crushed candy canes, mini chocolate chips, or even tiny marshmallows can add a festive touch if you don’t have gold stars or pearl sprinkles handy.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe is really one of my go-to holiday treats because it combines ease, sweetness, and stunning presentation all in one. I still remember the first time I brought these to our Christmas party — everyone was hooked instantly! I promise, once you try this, you’ll want to make it your own seasonal tradition. So grab your icing bag, turn on some holiday tunes, and have fun decking your brownies out for the season. Happy baking, friend!
Print
Festive Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-45 minutes (depending on batch size)
- Total Time: 50-60 minutes
- Yield: 8 large frosted brownie triangles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Frosted Christmas Brownies, featuring rich, thick brownies decorated with vibrant red and green frosting, edible gold stars, and white pearl sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties or a seasonal treat, these brownies combine classic chocolatey goodness with eye-catching, colorful decorations inspired by Christmas themes like Christmas trees and Santa hats.
Ingredients
Brownies
- 2 Boxes of Brownie Mix, or a double batch of homemade brownies
- Spray oil for greasing
Frosting and Decorations
- White Frosting, 1-3 jars (amount varies depending on desired thickness and color intensity)
- Edible Gel Food Coloring (red and green) or alternative no artificial dye food coloring
- Edible Gold Stars
- White Pearl Sprinkles
- Icing Bags
- Frosting Tips (large star tip – 1M)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven according to the brownie mix box instructions. Spray a 9-inch springform pan evenly with spray oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix and Bake Brownies: Combine both boxes of brownie mix or prepare a double batch of homemade brownies. Pour the batter into the prepared springform pan and bake according to package instructions or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Note that baking time will be longer for a double batch.
- Cool and Cut: Once baked, allow the brownies to cool completely. Remove from the springform pan and place on a cutting board. Cut the brownies into 8 equal triangular wedges.
- Prepare Colored Frosting: In two separate small bowls, tint white frosting with red and green edible gel food coloring, mixing well to reach desired shades. Keep extra plain white frosting for additional decoration.
- Fill Icing Bags: Transfer the red, green, and white frostings into individual icing bags fitted with your preferred frosting tips, such as the large star tip 1M.
- Decorate Brownies: Use the green frosting to create Christmas tree designs on brownies, decorating them with white pearl sprinkles and edible gold stars. Use a combination of green and white frosting for Santa Claus hat-themed brownies.
- Serve and Enjoy: Arrange the decorated brownies on a serving platter and enjoy your festive holiday treats with family and friends.
Notes
- You can use just one box or batch of brownies if you prefer thinner brownies, but two boxes will yield thicker brownies.
- Baking time increases for a double batch; monitor the brownies with a toothpick test to avoid over or under baking.
- The quantity of frosting used depends on how thickly you want to frost and the vibrancy of your red and green shades.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie triangle (approx. 1/8 of batch)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg