Introduction

These Christmas Present Brownies are a festive twist on a classic favorite, perfect for holiday gatherings or edible gifts. Rich, fudgy, and topped with colorful candy decorations, they bring both flavor and cheer to your celebration.

Christmas Present Brownies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Red, green, and white candy melts (for decoration)
Mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in the sugar until the mixture is smooth. Allow it to cool slightly before adding the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until the batter becomes glossy.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until smooth. If desired, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan.
Step 5: Lift the cooled brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut into squares. Melt the candy melts according to package instructions, then drizzle them over the brownies. Decorate with mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles if you like.
Step 6: Allow the decorations to set at room temperature or refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve the brownies on a festive platter or package them in a gift box for a sweet holiday present.

Tips & Variations

For extra fudgy brownies, slightly underbake by a couple of minutes, checking frequently. Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
Swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for white or milk chocolate chips to mix up the flavor and color.
If you don’t have candy melts, use colored icing or melted chocolate for decoration.

Storage

Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen brownies at room temperature and reheat briefly if preferred warm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Ensure your cocoa powder and other ingredients are also gluten-free.

How do I keep the candy decorations from melting?

Allow the brownies to cool completely before applying decorations. Use room temperature or cooler brownies and set decorations in a cool area or refrigerate shortly to prevent melting.

Christmas Present Brownies Recipe

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These Christmas Present Brownies are a festive and delicious holiday treat featuring rich, fudgy chocolate brownies decorated with colorful candy melts and mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles. Perfect for gifting or sharing at holiday gatherings, these brownies combine a classic chocolate base with a fun, seasonal presentation that captures the spirit of the season.

Author: Lena
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 45-50 minutes
Yield: 24 brownies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Base

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Decoration

Red, green, and white candy melts
Mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the brownies.
Melt Butter and Mix Sugar: In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Whisk in the granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth. Allow it to cool slightly to prevent cooking the eggs in the next step.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Once the butter-sugar mixture has cooled a bit, whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until the batter is glossy and well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution and a smooth texture.
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently until the batter is smooth and even. If desired, fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips for added texture and chocolate flavor.
Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs.
Cool and Remove: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. Then, lift them out using the parchment paper for easy cutting into squares.
Decorate: Melt the red, green, and white candy melts according to package instructions. Drizzle the melted candy melts over the brownie squares, and add mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles to decorate like Christmas presents.
Set Decorations: Let the candy decorations set at room temperature or refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes until firm.
Serve: Arrange the decorated brownies on a platter or place them in a gift box for a festive holiday treat perfect for sharing and gifting.

Notes

Ensure the butter-sugar mixture is not too hot before adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
You can skip the chocolate chips if you prefer a smoother brownie texture.
Use parchment paper to easily lift out the brownies without breaking.
Feel free to customize decoration colors to match any holiday theme.
Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Christmas brownies, holiday desserts, festive brownies, chocolate brownies, holiday treats, decorated brownies