This recipe for Christmas Brownies is incredibly simple, but it will still wow your friends and family. Even though the brownies aren't homemade, the real work is in the frosting and decorating. I colored them to be cute and festive and then used sprinkles to make them look like Santa hats and Christmas trees.
I have made this Christmas brownies recipe several times because it's the perfect shortcut. Several varieties of boxed mixes still turn out so tasty, so you can use any kind you like best. Keep most of your attention on decorating them (your kids can even help), and you'll have a stunning presentation.
These strawberry cheesecake brownies and cream cheese Halloween brownies are also made with brownie mix!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's easy to make: This recipe is so simple! The boxed brownie mix is a huge shortcut (that still tastes good), so all you have to do is prepare and color the frosting.
- It's customizable: Switch up the colors and decorations to make these holiday brownies your own.
- It's a fun activity: This is a wonderful opportunity to get creative. You may even include your children in the decorating process!
Ingredients
Here is what you need to make Christmas-themed brownies this holiday season. These components are easy to find at any grocery store!
- Brownie mix: Use any brand/variety that you like best. You'll be following the package directions, so you may use any brownies that you want.
- Butter: I use unsalted butter for this recipe, but salted should work fine in a pinch. Ensure it has softened enough so you have a creamy frosting.
- Cream cheese: Allow the cream cheese to reach room temperature to prevent lumps in the frosting.
- Decorations: This includes red and green food coloring for the frosting, as well as Christmas sprinkles. I decorated mine to look like Christmas trees and Santa hats, but you can do whatever you like.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Peppermint: Add a touch of peppermint extract to the frosting and then crushed candy canes on top for a classic holiday flavor.
- Hot chocolate: Fold marshmallows and chocolate chips into the brownie mix to give it a hot chocolate vibe.
- Cherry cordial: Add drained and chopped maraschino cherries to the brownies for a cherry cordial version.
How to Make Christmas Brownies
Below are the steps needed to bake and prepare these Christmas-decorated brownies. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (or what the box says) and grease an 8 to 9-inch round baking pan.
Step 1: Prepare and bake the brownies. Prepare the brownie batter according to the package instructions and then bake the brownies for about 25-30 minutes.
Step 2: Make the frosting. Next, combine the butter and powdered sugar and beat it with an electric mixer until fluffy. Then, stir in the cream cheese.
Step 3: Color the frosting. Divide the frosting into three bowls; color one green, one red, and leave the third white.
Step 4: Slice the brownies. Next, remove the cooled brownie from the pan and slice it into 8 wedges.
Step 5: Pipe the frosting. Decorate half of the brownie wedges with red frosting, and white frosting at the base and the tip (like Santa's hat), and the other half with a zigzag pattern of green frosting.
Step 6: Decorate and serve. Add sprinkles for lights on the trees and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Freeze them without decorations: If you plan to freeze your brownies, I recommend doing it without the frosting and decorations. They don't thaw well and will mess up the texture and presentation.
- Get creative with the designs: You can decorate these however you want! Snowmen, reindeer, or whatever else you can think of!
- Don't overbake the brownies: Bake your brownies until the middle has set and the edges are done. If you overbake the brownies, they become very dry and hard.
- Storing: You may keep the decorated Christmas brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two. Freeze the brownies undecorated for up to 2 months.
Try these Grinch brownies if you want to try out some other recipes for festive brownies.
A new addition to our site is this Christmas crack pretzels recipe. It's so delicious that I just had to mention it here. One bite and you'll be a lover for life....making it any chance you get!
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy a festive beverage like a gingerbread milkshake if you prefer cold over hot.
- This green Christmas Hot Chocolate is wonderfully festive, and so is a cup of hot chocolate made with peppermint truffles.
- Use simpler decorations like pieces of chocolate nut toffee, or candied walnuts. These work great even if you don't serve the brownies for Christmas.
If delicious desserts are your thing during the holidays, you just have to check out these Christmas sugar cookie cups. They're so tasty and addictive that even Santa will make a forever place for you on his NICE list! Give them a try and you'll see what I mean!
Recipe FAQs
Of course! Choose your favorite homemade brownie recipe and then decorate as you see fit!
Overmixing the batter or opening the oven too often to check on them can cause the middle of the brownies to deflate. Mix until the ingredients are just combined, and set a timer for the brownies so there's no need to check on them frequently.
This is usually because the butter is too warm. Prepare the frosting and then stick it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. Then, it will be ready to use!
More Delicious Christmas Treat Recipes
Do you like Christmas treats? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Christmas Brownies
Ingredients
For the Brownie:
- 1 box brownie mix approx. 18.3 oz / 520 g
- Ingredients called for on the box usually eggs, oil, and water
- Follow box instructions for amounts
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar sifted
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter softened
- ⅔ cups cream cheese
- Red and green gel food coloring
- Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Bake the Brownies:
- Preheat oven according to brownie mix instructions (usually 175°C / 350°F).
- Grease or line a round baking pan (20-23 cm / 8-9 inch diameter).
- Prepare the brownie mix following package instructions.
- Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Make the Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sifted powdered sugar together until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Add the cold cream cheese and beat until smooth and creamy. Do not overmix.
- Divide the frosting into three bowls:
- One portion stays white. (just 3 tbsp)
- Add green food coloring to one bowl for the Christmas tree.
- Add red food coloring to another for Santa's hat.
- Assemble & Decorate:
- Once the brownie has cooled, remove it from the pan.
- Slice it into 8 wedges (like a pizza).
- Pick two triangles to decorate:
- Christmas Tree: Pipe the green frosting in a zigzag pattern using a star or round tip. Decorate with sprinkles to mimic lights.
- Santa Hat: Pipe the red frosting over the triangle. Then use white frosting to pipe the base and a small pom-pom at the tip of the hat.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to try this Christmas brownie recipe with homemade brownies instead of boxed mix, if you like.
- You may freeze the brownies, but they must be without frosting and decorations. They will not hold up to being thawed.
- If the frosting is runny, place it into the refrigerator for a few minutes before piping it onto the brownies.
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