There’s no better way to celebrate the holiday season than with this Easy Christmas Brownies recipe.

It starts with rich, fudgy brownies and ends with fun Christmas tree decorations that make them look just as festive as they taste.

These are the kind of treats that feel impressive but are simple enough for anyone to make at home.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or just want something cozy to enjoy during Christmas time, this is a good way to get into the spirit.

You’ll start with a boxed brownie mix or homemade base, add a few classic pantry staples, and finish with frosting and sprinkles.

These brownies are cute, rich, and sure to get some attention on your holiday dessert table!

Ingredients

This recipe calls for simple ingredients, found in any grocery store:

Brownie Mix: A great shortcut that makes this an easy recipe without compromising on taste. Choose your favorite box mix for best results.
Cocoa Powder: Adds extra richness and deep chocolate flavor to your brownie base.
Unsalted Butter: Adds moisture, flavor, and that classic chewy brownie texture.
Brown Sugar: Helps create moist crumbs and gives the brownies a subtle molasses-like depth.
Egg Yolks: Contribute to a fudgy texture and help bind everything together.
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the chocolate flavor and adds warmth.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure that holds your brownies together without making them too dense.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate.
Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Melt slightly as they bake, creating gooey pockets throughout the brownie layer.
Walnuts (optional): Chopped and mixed in for texture and a nutty crunch.
Powdered Sugar: The base for the royal icing; creates a smooth texture and sets when dry.
Meringue Powder: Helps the icing harden so your Christmas trees hold their shape.
Vanilla Extract (for frosting): Adds a little extra flavor to your frosting.
Green Food Coloring (optional): Used in the frosting to create vibrant Christmas trees.
Christmas Sprinkles or Star Sprinkles (optional): These make your Christmas trees pop with color and shine.

Take a look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

Add-ons & Substitutions

• Swap the box mix for your favorite homemade brownie recipe if you prefer from-scratch baking.
• Candy cane brownies: Instead of using walnuts, mix in 1/2 cup of crushed candy cane into the batter. Follow the baking instructions and, once done, sprinkle more crushed candy canes on top of the brownies.
• Gingerbread brownies: To infuse a gingerbread flavor, simply add 1/2 teaspoon of ginger to your brownie batter before baking. After baking, decorate the top of your brownies with gingerbread men for a festive touch.
• Orange brownies: To give your brownies an orange twist, incorporate 1 tablespoon of orange zest into the batter. This will infuse your brownies with a delicious orange flavor.
• M&M brownies: For a festive twist, substitute the walnuts with some green and red M&M candies in your batter.

How to Make Easy Christmas Brownies Recipe

Brownies:

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease a square baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Lightly dust with cocoa powder to prevent sticking.

In a large bowl, stir together your cocoa powder and baking soda. This helps bloom the cocoa and gives the brownie batter a deep flavor.

Add half of your melted butter along with the brewed coffee. Stir until thickened slightly—it will look glossy.

Next, mix in the brown sugar, egg yolks, and the rest of the melted butter. Stir until smooth.

Add in the flour, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined. It’s okay if you see a few streaks—don’t overmix, or your brownies might turn cakey.

Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips gently. Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading evenly to all corners.

Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top of the brownie looks set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.

Cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, remove the entire pan of brownies and cut them into 24 squares using a sharp knife or cookie cutters.

Royal Icing:

For the icing, stir powdered sugar, meringue powder, vanilla extract, and a little water in a small bowl until smooth (add optional food coloring before thinning with water, if desired)

Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe simple Christmas trees or snowflakes on the top of each brownie.

Decorate with sprinkles or crushed candy canes, if desired.

Let the icing set at room temperature before stacking or storing.

Expert Tips

• For the most fudgy brownies, remove them from the oven when a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs—not clean.
• Let your butter and eggs come to room temperature before baking for a smoother mix and better texture.
• If your icing feels too thick, add a few drops of water. Too runny? A little more powdered sugar will fix it.
• Use a sharp, clean knife and wipe it between cuts to get clean edges when slicing brownies.
• Use aluminum foil with overhanging edges to lift the entire brownie out for easier decorating.
• Use a plastic sandwich bag with the corner snipped off works in a pinch instead of a piping bag

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I store these brownies?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the brownies a day or two before decorating. Store them wrapped in plastic wrap or foil.

Can I freeze decorated brownies?

Yes. Once the icing has set, layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container.

What ingredients make brownies more moist?

Butter, brown sugar, and eggs all contribute to a moist brownie with a soft, chewy texture.

What makes brownies fudgy vs. cakey?

Less flour and more fat (like butter or chocolate) result in fudgy brownies. Cakey brownies use more flour and sometimes baking powder.

Why do you put coffee in brownies?

Thought not listed in this recipe, coffee enhances the flavor of chocolate without making the brownies taste like coffee. It deepens the richness.

Take a look at the links below for more Christmas-inspired recipes, or click this link for more brownie recipes.

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And if you make these Easy Christmas Brownies, please be sure to give it a star rating and leave a comment!