Festive Christmas Brownies (with 4 Holiday Decorating Ideas)

Overhead of assorted Christmas brownies on parchment paper with sprinkles scattered around the scene.

5 from 2 votes

Festive Christmas Brownies (with 4 Holiday Decorating Ideas)

These easy Christmas Brownies are a festive holiday treat that anyone can make! Start with your favorite boxed brownie mix and our creamy buttercream frosting. Then make any of these 4 Christmas brownie decorating ideas, including a simple wreath, a Christmas present, holiday lights, or Christmas tree brownies!

Prep Time20

Cook Time40

Decorating Time30

Total Time1 30

Course: Christmas, Dessert, Holiday

Cuisine: American

Servings: brownies

Calories: 603kcal

Author: Borrowed Bites

Equipment

Green food coloring
Piping bag or Ziplock bags
Wilton piping tips #2A, #22, and #32
Cookie cutters optional

Ingredients

1 box brownies We use Ghirardelli Chocolate Supreme
¾ cup butter softened
1½ oz cream cheese softened
3¾ cups powdered sugar
1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¾-1½ tablespoon heavy cream or more as needed

Decorating Ingredients

Sparkling sugar sprinkles
Christmas sprinkles See post for suggestions
Pretzels
Chocolate covered sunflower seeds
Red or green m&ms
Black and red icing

Instructions

Brownies

Bake the brownies according to the box instructions in a 9x9 pan that has been sprayed with baking spray and lined with a parchment paper sling. Set aside to cool fully.
1 box brownies
Once cool, remove the brownies from the pan and partially freeze for 1-2 hours. Remove from freezer and use a sharp knife to trim a thin layer off of each edge, making them flat all the way across. Then cut them into 9 even squares.

Frosting

Beat the softened butter and cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy.
¾ cup butter, 1½ oz cream cheese
Reduce speed to low and add half the powdered sugar. Mix until just combined, then add the remaining powdered sugar. Beat on medium for 1 minute.
3¾ cups powdered sugar
Add vanilla and ½ tablespoon of cream. Beat for 2 more minutes or until light and fluffy. Add additional cream if needed until the frosting is loose enough to pipe, but stiff enough to hold its shape.
1½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¾-1½ tablespoon heavy cream
Place ⅓ of the frosting in a small bowl. Add a small amount of green food coloring and stir thoroughly. Continue adding coloring and stirring until the desired color is reached.

Decorating

Using the Wilton Tip 2A pipe frosting evenly across the brownie, starting with the outside edge and moving inwards.
Using a small offset spatula, gently spread the frosting until mostly smooth. Be careful to keep the edges straight.
Place the sparkling sugar sprinkles on a flat plate. Dip the frosted brownie into the sprinkles, pressing gently to help them adhere. Don't press too hard or the frosting will squish past the edges.
Sparkling sugar sprinkles
Repeat with the remaining brownies. Then add decorations as desired.
Christmas Trees: Using Wilton Tip #32, pipe a green star where you want the top of your tree. Add 3 rows of stars beneath it (see picture in post), then add a small pretzel stick as the tree trunk. Finish with sprinkles.
Christmas Lights: Using black icing, pipe a squiggly line across the brownie. You can use a toothpick to make a rough outline first. Then add sprinkles or chocolate covered sunflower seeds as the lights.
Christmas Presents: Using red or green icing, pipe two perpendicular lines across the brownie. Then place red or green m&m candies upright in a circle to form the bow. Finish with small colored sprinkles.
Christmas Wreaths: Using a small circle cookie cutter, place a small indent into the frosting to form an outline. Then use a Wilton Tip #22 to pipe 1 row of stars outside the outlines and 1 row of stars inside the outline. Finish with sprinkles.
We love comments! Please come back and leave us one after you’ve tried this recipe.

Notes

Tips & Tricks

Make a brownie mix without chocolate chips for easier cutting.

Use a parchment sling in the pan for easy removal and clean up.

Partially freeze the brownies before cutting to get clean, straight lines. Room temperature brownies tend to clump.

How to make ahead: You can freeze the baked and cut brownies wrapped individually and tightly in plastic wrap. You can also freeze them uncut, just be sure to thaw them about halfway before you cut them. Then make the frosting and decorate.

You can also freeze these fully decorated or store them in the fridge for 2-3 days. However, the frosting will lose some of its fluffy texture. Make sure to store them in a single layer to avoid ruining the frosting.

How to store: Store leftover Christmas brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.

How to freeze: You can freeze the baked and cut brownies wrapped individually in plastic wrap for 2-3 months. You can also freeze them uncut, just be sure to thaw them about halfway before you cut them.

You can also freeze these fully decorated, however, the frosting will lose some of its fluffy texture. Freeze them unwrapped in a single layer until forzen solid, then wrap them individually with plastic wrap, store in an airtight container, and freeze for 2-3 months.

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