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
Scale
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.
