Christmas Brownies
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My favorite part of Christmas Brownies is when you see someone’s face light up before they take a bite. The fudgy chocolate base is rich and satisfying, while pretzel antlers add the perfect crunch. Candy eyes and red M&M nose make each one look like an adorable reindeer, and they’re simple to decorate once you know the trick.
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These are the perfect desserts for Christmas parties, potlucks, and holiday baking with kids every December. I can make these brownies ahead, store them at room temperature for up to 3 days, refrigerate them for up to 5 days, or freeze them for up to 2 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Christmas Brownies with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Let me walk you through turning a simple boxed mix into the cutest holiday treats.
Make the Brownie Base
In a large bowl, prepare your brownie batter using the melted butter, water, and eggs according to the package directions.
I love using my 6-speed hand mixer for mixing brownie batter because it blends everything smoothly in seconds, is surprisingly easy to clean, and stores easily with its snap-on storage case.
Bake and Cool Completely
Bake the brownies according to the package directions. I always make sure to preheat the oven for even baking and to grease the pan with cooking spray before lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
Once baked, let them cool completely in the pan before decorating. This cooling step is crucial because warm brownies will melt your decorations and make the pretzels slide right out, so don’t skip it.
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
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∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Starbucks Cake Pops
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ Chocolate Mousse
∙ Matcha Tiramisu
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Cut the Brownies Evenly
Once your brownies are completely cool, place them on a flat surface and slice them evenly into squares or rectangles using a knife or cookie cutters.
I use a large wooden cutting board, which gives me plenty of space to work, and a sharp chef’s knife for clean cuts without crumbly edges.
Add the Pretzel Antlers
Gently press pretzel pieces into the sides of each brownie to create antlers. The key here is using a gentle but firm press so the pretzels go in deep enough to stay put without breaking or falling out.
Attach the Eyes and Nose
Use frosting or melted chocolate chips as glue to attach the sugar eyes and one M&M candy for the nose. I like using the red one for that Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer look.
Dab a tiny bit on the back of each sugar eye and the M&M, press them gently onto the brownie, and they’ll stick perfectly.
Finish with Extra Decorations
If you want to get more creative with more festive details, drizzle melted chocolate over the tops, add white sprinkles for a snowy effect, or even give them Santa hats. For melted chocolate, you can use a small saucepan and a piping bag with a very tiny opening.
You can also pipe green frosting around each brownie for a garland effect if you’re feeling extra. Give your decorated brownies a few minutes for any melted chocolate or frosting to firm up before serving or packaging them.
Serve, Share, and Enjoy
Once everything’s set, you can serve these fudgy brownies right away or put them in the fridge first if you prefer them chilled. Either way, they’re delicious and satisfying, so enjoy!
If you’re transporting them, pack them in a single layer in a hard-sided container with a secure lid to keep them fresh and the decorations intact during transport to holiday parties or cookie swaps.
They also make a great gift for Christmas; a sturdy gift box makes these reindeer brownies look extra special and keeps them protected and looking presentable.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup water
- 3 large eggs
- Sugar eyes
- Red and green M&Ms
- Pretzels
- Holiday sprinkles or extra chocolate for decorating optional
Video
Instructions
- Prepare the brownie batter according to package directions using melted butter, water, and eggs. Bake as directed and allow the brownies to cool completely.1 box brownie mix, ½ cup melted butter, ½ cup water, 3 large eggs
- Cut the cooled brownies into rectangles. Use frosting or melted chocolate as “glue” to attach sugar eyes and an M&M nose.Sugar eyes, Red and green M&Ms
- For antlers, gently press pretzel pieces into the sides of each brownie. Decorate with extra holiday sprinkles if desired.Pretzels, Holiday sprinkles or extra chocolate for decorating
Notes
- Enhance the flavor: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to your brownie batter before baking to deepen the chocolate flavor, or half a teaspoon of cinnamon if you want the warm note like that of spiced cake or gingerbread.
- Cool completely before decorating: Warm brownies will melt your chocolate glue and make decorations slide off or pretzels fall out.
- Add extra toppings: Coat the top with chocolate ganache made with heavy cream for a glossy finish, and sprinkle sea salt to balance the sweetness, or coconut for a snowy effect and extra texture, before decorating with the reindeer faces.
- Match pretzel sizes for symmetry: Sort through your pretzels to find pieces that are similar sizes so each reindeer has matching antlers.
- Press pretzels gently but firmly: You want them deep enough to stay secure but not so hard that you break the pretzel or crumble the brownie.
- Store properly: These brownies stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature, up to 5 days in the fridge, or up to 2 months in the freezer. Place parchment between layers if you need to stack them to keep the decorations intact.
Nutrition
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Starbucks Cake Pops
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ Chocolate Mousse
∙ Matcha Tiramisu
...and much more!
Includes ad-free recipes like:
How to Store Leftovers
Keep your decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
The pretzels will stay crunchy, and the decorations will hold their place as long as you don’t stack them directly on top of each other. Layer parchment paper between levels if you need to stack them.
For longer storage, you can wrap the undecorated brownies in plastic wrap and freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter for about an hour before decorating and serving for best results.
What to Serve With Christmas Brownies
These brownies are sweet and rich, so they pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or hot cocoa. You could also serve them alongside sugar cookies, peppermint bark, Christmas tree brownies, or Christmas cookies as part of a holiday dessert spread.
They work wonderfully on a platter with ricotta cookies and candy cane treats for a festive dessert table. The chocolate flavor balances out lighter, mintier desserts, giving your guests a richer option to choose from.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
I have more easy favorite brownie recipes that’ll make your holiday table even sweeter.
