If you’re searching for the perfect holiday treat that’s as delightful to give as it is to eat, look no further than this Festive Christmas Brownie Gifts Recipe. These brownies are rich, fudgy, and adorned with colorful candy ribbons and bows that transform each square into a charming little present. Whether you’re playing Santa for your neighbors, friends, or family, this recipe delivers irresistible chocolate goodness wrapped in festive cheer, making every bite a joyful celebration of the season. It’s truly a recipe that brings magic to your holiday dessert table and warmth to whoever receives it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind these Festive Christmas Brownie Gifts lies in a handful of straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one is chosen not just for taste but to create that perfect fudgy texture, balanced sweetness, and rich chocolate color, setting the stage for your edible holiday masterpiece.
- Unsalted butter: Provides a creamy, rich base and ensures your brownies are perfectly moist without overpowering saltiness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds necessary sweetness and helps create the shiny, crackly top that brownie lovers crave.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to that tender yet chewy brownie texture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor with a warm, aromatic depth.
- All-purpose flour: The structural hero that gives your brownies the right level of density and chew.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Packs a rich chocolate punch, intensifying the color and taste.
- Baking powder: Adds just a tiny bit of lift so your brownies aren’t too dense.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional): For those who want their brownies extra fudgy and decadent with pockets of melty chocolate.
- Red, green, and white candy melts: Bring vibrant, festive colors perfect for creating edible ribbons and bows.
- Mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles (optional): Add fun details that make each brownie look like a holiday gift.
How to Make Festive Christmas Brownie Gifts Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Batter
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving plenty of overhang to help lift the brownies out easily later. Melt the butter gently over low heat, then whisk in the sugar until smooth and glossy. Cooling slightly is key before adding your eggs and vanilla extract to avoid cooking the eggs; whisk continuously until the mixture thickens beautifully and has a shiny texture.
Step 2: Add the Dry Ingredients
Next, sift together your flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to ensure no lumps disrupt your brownie’s texture. Fold these dry ingredients slowly into your wet mixture with a rubber spatula, just until combined, to maintain chewiness. If you love a little surprise in every bite, gently stir in those semi-sweet chocolate chips for extra pockets of melted heaven.
Step 3: Bake the Brownies
Pour your silky batter evenly into the lined pan and smooth the surface to ensure even baking. Slide it into the oven and bake between 30 and 35 minutes. The trick is to remove them when a toothpick shows a few moist crumbs but no raw batter—overbaking will dry out the fudgy goodness. Once done, cool in the pan completely before moving on.
Step 4: Cut and Decorate Like Gifts
With your brownies fully cooled, carefully lift them out using the parchment overhang and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into perfect squares to resemble neatly wrapped presents. Melt your candy melts in their respective colors, heating in short bursts and stirring until silky smooth. Use these bright, glossy melts like edible ribbons—pipe or drizzle across each brownie to mimic gift wrap, then top with mini bows or sprinkles for that extra festive flair.
Step 5: Let the Decorations Set
Allow the candy ribbons and bows to harden at room temperature. If you’re eager to assemble once cooled, pop the brownies in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. This final step gives your Festive Christmas Brownie Gifts Recipe a polished, professional, and oh-so-charming finish that’s ready to spread holiday cheer.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Brownie Gifts Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your gift-like brownies with an array of colorful garnishes beyond candy bows. Fresh mint leaves, crushed peppermint candies, or a dusting of powdered sugar can add texture and shine, turning simple brownies into eye-catching seasonal delights.
Side Dishes
Pair these festive brownies with a scoop of cinnamon-spiced vanilla ice cream or a warm cup of holiday spiced coffee for a cozy indulgence. The creamy and warm contrasts balance the rich, dense chocolate perfectly, elevating any gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation is half the fun! Arrange the decorated brownies in a festive tin lined with tissue paper or box them with colored parchment sheets and tie with twine or curling ribbon. Individual clear treat bags tied with holiday ribbons also make for charming homemade gifts that anyone would be thrilled to receive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These brownies stay beautifully moist in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. If your kitchen is warm, storing them in a cool spot or the fridge will help maintain their texture without drying out.
Freezing
Want to prepare these festive treats well ahead? Cut the brownies into squares, separate layers with wax paper, and freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature for ready-to-decorate brownie gifts any time you want.
Reheating
While brownies are often best served at room temperature, you can gently warm them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to bring out that freshly baked experience. Just be careful not to melt your candy decorations unless you plan to reapply them afterward.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate instead of candy melts for decoration?
Absolutely! You can use melted white chocolate, colored icing, or even royal icing to create ribbons and bows. Candy melts are just convenient for vibrant colors and easy melting, but feel free to get creative with your decorations.
Are these brownies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free as is. However, you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend one-for-one to make it suitable for gluten-free diets. Just keep in mind that texture might vary slightly.
How do I make the brownies extra fudgy?
Folding in semi-sweet chocolate chips adds melty pockets that increase fudginess, and not overbaking is crucial. Watch for the toothpick test closely—you want to remove them when there are moist crumbs but no liquid batter left.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
To veganize this recipe, substitute the butter with plant-based margarine, use flax eggs (ground flaxseed mixed with water) instead of eggs, and ensure your chocolate chips and candy melts are dairy-free. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.
What’s the best way to transport these brownies as gifts?
Use sturdy boxes lined with parchment or wax paper and place brownies snugly inside to prevent shifting. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper, and handle with care to keep your festive decorations intact.
Final Thoughts
Creating and sharing the Festive Christmas Brownie Gifts Recipe is such a joyful way to celebrate the holidays. These brownies combine rich chocolate flavor and festive decoration that’s sure to spread smiles and compliments around every table. Give this recipe a try—you’ll find yourself reaching for it year after year as a delicious tradition that embodies the warmth and generosity of the season.
Print
Festive Christmas Brownie Gifts Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Festive Christmas Brownie Gifts are rich, fudgy, and perfectly chewy brownies decorated to look like holiday presents. Adorned with colorful candy melt ribbons and festive sprinkles or mini candy bows, they make delightful edible gifts or party treats that bring cheer to the season. Simple to prepare and baked in one pan, these brownies are an irresistible holiday classic that combines luscious chocolate flavor with whimsical decoration.
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 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 for extra fudginess)
Decoration
- Red candy melts
- Green candy melts
- White candy melts
- Mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles (optional but festive)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
- Melt Butter & Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and shiny. Let it cool slightly before whisking in the eggs and vanilla extract continuously until thick and glossy.
- Sift & Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula, stirring gently until just combined and smooth to keep the brownies chewy. Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips if using.
- Bake Brownies: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Avoid overbaking. Let cool completely in the pan.
- Cut & Decorate: Lift the cooled brownies out via the parchment paper overhang and cut into even squares. Melt red, green, and white candy melts separately in microwave-safe bowls with 15-second bursts, stirring until smooth. Drizzle or pipe the melted candy to create ribbon crisscross patterns on each brownie to mimic gift wrapping. Top with mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles as desired.
- Set Decorations: Allow the candy melts to harden at room temperature or refrigerate the brownies for 10-15 minutes to speed up setting. Once hardened, arrange the brownies on a serving platter or package them in a gift box lined with parchment paper.
Notes
- Do not overbake the brownies; pulling them out with moist crumbs ensures a fudgy texture.
- The candy melts can be substituted with colored white chocolate or royal icing if preferred.
- Allow brownies to cool completely before decorating to prevent melting or sliding of candy ribbons.
- Use parchment paper with overhang to easily lift brownies out of the pan.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
