Christmas Brownies with Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Introduction
These Christmas Brownies with Chocolate Frosting are a delightful holiday treat, perfect for festive gatherings or cozy winter nights. Rich, fudgy, and topped with a creamy chocolate frosting and seasonal decorations, they bring both flavor and holiday cheer to your dessert table.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for GF option)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream (or plant-based cream for dairy-free)
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Crushed candy canes
- Holiday-themed sprinkles
- White chocolate chips or melted chocolate drizzle (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Gather and measure all ingredients for smooth assembly.
- Step 2: Melt the butter gently over low heat or in the microwave. Whisk in the granulated sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Step 3: Fold in the flour and salt, mixing just until combined. Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly.
- Step 4: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, avoiding overbaking to keep the fudgy texture.
- Step 5: While the brownies cool, whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa powder, softened butter, and heavy cream until creamy and spreadable. Adjust consistency with a splash of cream as needed, for perfect frosting thickness that spreads easily.
- Step 6: Once the brownies are completely cool, spread the chocolate frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle with holiday-themed sprinkles, chopped nuts, or crushed peppermint candies for a festive finishing touch. Add white chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free blend.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder to the batter for extra depth of flavor.
- Use plant-based butter and cream to make the frosting dairy-free.
- Try different toppings such as dried cranberries or festive colored nonpareils for a personalized look.
Storage
Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, warm refrigerated or frozen brownies slightly to soften the frosting and bring out the fudgy texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips?
Yes, dark chocolate chips can be used and will add a richer, slightly more bitter flavor that complements the sweetness of the brownies and frosting.
How do I know when the brownies are done without overbaking?
Insert a toothpick near the center of the brownies; it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached but not wet batter. This ensures a fudgy, moist texture rather than a dry one.
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Christmas Brownies with Chocolate Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Christmas Brownies with Chocolate Frosting are rich, fudgy, and topped with a creamy chocolate frosting adorned with holiday-themed sprinkles, nuts, and crushed candy canes. Perfect for sharing during the holidays, this recipe yields moist and chocolaty brownies with a delightful decorative finish that brings holiday cheer to any dessert table.
Ingredients
Brownie Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for GF option)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Chocolate Frosting Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (or plant-based cream for dairy-free)
Decoration
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Crushed candy canes
- Holiday-themed sprinkles
- White chocolate chips or melted chocolate drizzle
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal. Gather and measure all ingredients prior to beginning for smooth assembly.
- Make the Brownie Batter: Melt the butter gently over low heat or in the microwave, then whisk in the granulated sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly. Fold in the flour and salt, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overworking the batter. Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, taking care not to overbake so the brownies retain a fudgy texture.
- Prepare the Chocolate Frosting: While the brownies cool completely, whisk together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, softened butter, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream until the mixture is creamy and spreadable. Add additional cream by the teaspoon as needed to achieve the perfect frosting thickness for easy spreading.
- Frost and Decorate: Once the brownies have cooled completely, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with holiday-themed sprinkles, chopped walnuts or pecans, crushed candy canes, and optionally white chocolate chips or melted chocolate drizzle to create a festive presentation.
Notes
- To make the brownies gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan margarine and use plant-based cream for the frosting.
- Do not overbake the brownies; removing them when a toothpick has moist crumbs will keep them fudgy and moist.
- Ensure brownies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting or sliding of the frosting.
- Chilling the brownies for 30 minutes after frosting can make cutting cleaner and easier.
- Decorations can be customized to fit other holiday themes or personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas brownies, chocolate frosting, holiday dessert, fudgy brownies, festive brownies, holiday baking, chocolate dessert
