Description
Christmas Brownies with Chocolate Frosting combine rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with a smooth, creamy chocolate frosting for the ultimate festive treat. This easy-to-make recipe uses simple pantry staples and offers customizable variations like nuts, peppermint, and dairy-free or gluten-free options. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these brownies deliver the perfect balance of texture and flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Optional Festive Additions
- 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 for easy removal. Gather and measure all ingredients for smooth assembly.
- Make the Brownie Batter: 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. Fold in the flour and salt, mixing just until combined. Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly.
- Bake the Brownies: 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.
- Prepare the Chocolate Frosting: 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.
- Frost and Decorate: 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.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for a smooth, homogenous batter.
- Stir ingredients just until combined to avoid dense brownies.
- Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick; moist crumbs indicate perfect fudginess.
- Allow brownies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Add heavy cream gradually to achieve spreading consistency without runny frosting.
- For clean brownie cuts, use a sharp knife wiped between slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie (1/16th of recipe)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg