Description
Make festive Frosted Christmas Brownies with a fudgy center and creamy vanilla buttercream that holds shapes and decorations. Perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- Optional: 1 cup chopped chocolate or chocolate chips for extra fudginess
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, soft but cool
- 3–4 cups (360–480g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of fine salt
- Red and green gel food coloring, holiday sprinkles, mini candy canes, edible glitter, or festive toppers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment, leaving an overhang for easy lifting. Grease lightly the pan under the parchment.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the sugar until mostly dissolved. Let cool slightly.
- Whisk in the eggs one at a time, adding vanilla. Avoid overbeating.
- Sift cocoa and salt together and fold into the wet mixture. Gently fold in flour until just combined.
- If desired, fold in chopped chocolate or chocolate chips.
- Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan and tap to level. Bake for 25–30 minutes. Check with a toothpick at 22 minutes for moist crumbs.
- Once baked, cool brownies in the pan for at least 45–60 minutes before frosting. Chill for 20–30 minutes if needed.
- For frosting, beat butter in a stand mixer until pale. Add half the powdered sugar and mix slowly. Add cream and vanilla, then add remaining sugar and salt. Beat until fluffy.
- Frost the cooled brownies as desired and add festive decorations immediately.
- For clean slices, chill the frosted brownies for 15–30 minutes before cutting.
Notes
For a shiny crackly top, whisk sugar into the warm butter, and avoid overmixing to maintain fudginess. Store frosted brownies at room temperature for up to 24 hours or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Christmas, brownies, holiday dessert, festive baking