There’s something magical about baking during the holidays; the scent of chocolate, butter, and sugar swirling together feels like pure nostalgia. These Frosted Christmas Brownies take me back to my nonna’s kitchen, where I first learned that desserts weren’t just about taste, they were about togetherness. I still remember helping her spread frosting over warm brownies while Christmas carols played in the background. Every year, that same comfort finds its way into my kitchen.
This recipe is everything you want in a Christmas dessert: rich, fudgy brownies topped with creamy frosting and festive sprinkles. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or gifting a homemade treat, these brownies are guaranteed to become part of your holiday tradition. If you love cozy festive desserts, you’ll also adore my Thanksgiving Desserts collection filled with warm seasonal flavors.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe
These Frosted Brownies are pure joy in every bite. They’re easy enough for a weekday bake yet special enough for the holidays. The rich chocolate base pairs beautifully with smooth, buttery frosting, and the decorations make them pop on any dessert table.
You’ll love them because:
- They use simple pantry ingredients.
- They bake in under 40 minutes.
- The frosting can be customized with different colors or flavors.
- They stay moist and chewy for days.
If you enjoy sweet treats that balance nostalgia with simplicity, try my Cinnamon Sugar Blondies next, another easy, crowd-pleasing dessert with a golden chewy texture.
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Frosted Christmas Brownies
These Frosted Christmas Brownies are rich, fudgy, and topped with a creamy, festive frosting, the perfect dessert for your holiday table.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 brownies 1x
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: red or green food coloring
Holiday sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. Whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together in a bowl.
3. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
4. Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Fold gently until just combined.
5. Stir in chocolate chips, then spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.
6. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
7. Let brownies cool completely before frosting.
8. Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
9. Whip until fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.
10. Spread frosting over cooled brownies, top with sprinkles, and slice to serve.
Notes
These Frosted Christmas Brownies can be made ahead of time.
Store unfrosted brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Frost just before serving for the freshest flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these Christmas Brownies come to life:
For the Brownies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: food coloring (red or green)
- Holiday sprinkles for garnish
If you enjoy apple-based sweets, you might like my Apple Brownies, another moist, flavor-packed dessert that pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
How to Make these Christmas Brownies
Making Frosted Christmas Brownies is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these easy steps:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar until combined. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Fold gently until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely.
- Frosting Time: Beat softened butter until creamy, then add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix until fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.
- Decorate: Spread frosting over cooled brownies and top with sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Cut into squares and enjoy!
If you love rich chocolatey desserts, check out the decadent Salted Caramel Brownie Recipe for another delicious twist on a classic.
Tips and Variations
Here’s how to make your Frosted Brownies even better:
- Add Texture: Mix in crushed peppermint, walnuts, or mini marshmallows.
- Flavor Boost: Add espresso powder for deeper chocolate flavor.
- Frosting Ideas: Swap the vanilla frosting for cream cheese or peppermint buttercream.
- Presentation: Use cookie cutters to make holiday-shaped brownies; stars, trees, or snowflakes.
Want to try another cozy winter dessert? My Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles offer that creamy, spiced sweetness that pairs beautifully with these brownies on any dessert platter.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make these Frosted Brownies ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the brownies up to two days in advance. Store them covered at room temperature and frost before serving for best results.
2. How do I store leftover Christmas Brownies?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. For longer storage, freeze them (unfrosted) for up to three months.
3. Can I use a boxed brownie mix?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, a boxed mix works great. Just make your frosting from scratch for that homemade touch.
4. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend. The texture remains fudgy and delicious.
For a perfect holiday dessert pairing, try the cozy and fragrant Apple Cider Cake, it’s a holiday crowd-pleaser too.
Final Thoughts
These Frosted Christmas Brownies are more than just dessert, they’re a memory in the making. Whether you’re baking them with your kids, gifting them to friends, or sneaking a late-night bite with a cup of cocoa, they embody everything that’s wonderful about the holidays.
Loved this recipe? Follow me on Pinterest for more comforting dishes and easy weeknight favorites you’ll want to save.
