Christmas Brownies

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These Christmas Brownies is my favorite way to bring a little extra cheer to the dessert table. They’re rich, fudgy, and packed with bits of chocolate, candy canes, and colorful M&Ms. I love how they make the whole kitchen smell like the holidays.

Prep Time10

Bake Time30

Total Time40

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Keyword: christmas brownies

Servings: brownies

Calories: 248kcal

Author: Lena Gladstone

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup holiday mix-ins a mix red & green M&Ms, crushed candy canes, Christmas sprinkles, and white chocolate chunks

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F, and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt until smooth.
Whisk in the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time.
Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir until just combined, do not overmix.
Fold in the chocolate chips and holiday add-ins of your choice.
Spread batter evenly in the lined baking pan.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
Cool in the pan, then lift out and cut into squares.

Notes

Line the pan with parchment paper. Leave a little overhang so you can lift the brownies out easily once they’ve cooled.
Melt the butter slowly. Low heat prevents it from browning or separating, which keeps the batter smooth.
Whisk the sugar and cocoa into the warm butter. This step helps dissolve the sugar and gives the brownies that shiny, crackly top.
Add the eggs one at a time. Mixing them in gradually helps create a rich, even texture.
Don’t overmix the flour. Stir just until combined to keep the brownies soft and fudgy instead of dense.
Use your favorite holiday mix-ins. Red and green M&Ms, crushed candy canes, or white chocolate chunks all add festive color and crunch.
Make them more festive. Add more sprinkles or crushed candy canes on top right after baking, and dust with powdered sugar “snow.”
Check for doneness early. A toothpick with a few moist crumbs means they’re perfectly fudgy.
Adjust texture according to your preference. Slightly unbake them to keep them fudgy, or for cakier brownies bake them closer to 32 minutes.
Cool completely before cutting. This helps the brownies set and gives you clean, neat squares.
Make them ahead. Bake a day in advance and store in an airtight container for easy holiday entertaining.
Freeze extras. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to two months, then thaw at room temperature when you need a quick dessert.

If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. I ❤️ hearing from you!

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