Easy Frosted Christmas Brownies

These Easy Frosted Christmas Brownies are the ultimate festive, crowd-pleasing, and decadent holiday treat. This recipe features a rich, fudgy, and chewy chocolate brownie base, topped with a layer of creamy, sweet buttercream frosting tinted a festive green. A generous shower of holiday sprinkles makes them a beautiful and delicious addition to any Christmas dessert table.

This easy, from-scratch brownie recipe comes together in one bowl and bakes up perfectly every time. They are simple enough for a fun holiday baking project with kids and impressive enough for a party. Get ready for these to be the first dessert to disappear!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Fudgy & Chewy: The perfect rich chocolate brownie texture.
• Festive & Beautiful: The green frosting and holiday sprinkles make them a stunning holiday treat.
• Easy to Make: A straightforward, one-bowl brownie recipe and a simple buttercream.
• Perfect for Parties: Makes a 9×13 pan, perfect for a crowd, cookie exchanges, or holiday gifting.

Ingredients

For the Fudgy Brownies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter, melted
• 2 cups Granulated Sugar
• 4 large Eggs
• 1 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

For the Green Buttercream Frosting:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, softened
• 2-3 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2-3 tablespoons Milk or Cream
• 1/2 teaspoon Green Gel Food Coloring
• Holiday Sprinkles, for decorating

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to act as handles.
2. Mix Brownie Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder to the bowl. Stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
4. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out with moist, fudgy crumbs, but not wet batter.
5. Cool Completely: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is a crucial step before frosting.
6. Make the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy. With the mixer on low, gradually add 2 cups of powdered sugar, then the vanilla and 2 tablespoons of milk. Beat until smooth. Add the green food coloring. Add more powdered sugar if needed to reach a thick, spreadable consistency.
7. Frost and Decorate: Spread the green frosting evenly over the cooled brownies. Immediately top with a generous amount of holiday sprinkles.
8. Chill and Serve: For the cleanest slices, refrigerate the frosted brownies for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set. Use the parchment paper handles to lift the brownies out of the pan, then slice into squares and serve.

Tips & Variations

• Pro Tip: Do not overbake the brownies! The key to a fudgy texture is to take them out when the skewer still has moist crumbs. They will continue to cook as they cool in the hot pan.
• Shortcut: You can use your favorite 9×13 box brownie mix for the base to make this recipe even faster.
• Peppermint Brownies: Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the brownie batter and top the frosting with crushed candy canes instead of sprinkles.
• Christmas Tree Brownies: After chilling, slice the brownies into large triangles. Use a small piping bag to add a “garland” of frosting and use sprinkles as “ornaments” on each tree.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How do I get clean, sharp slices?
  • The secret is to chill the frosted brownies until the frosting is firm. Use a large, sharp knife, press straight down, and wipe the knife clean with a hot, damp paper towel between each cut.
• How do I store these brownies?
  • Because of the buttercream frosting, these brownies should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 5 days.
• Can I freeze these brownies?
  • Yes, they freeze beautifully. You can freeze the whole uncut slab or individual slices. Store in a freezer-safe container, with parchment paper between layers, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestions

• These Frosted Christmas Brownies are the perfect addition to any holiday cookie platter. They are also a fantastic standalone dessert, served chilled or at room temperature with a cold glass of milk.