Name: Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 ounces semi sweet chocolate, roughly chopped; 2/3 cup all purpose flour; 1 1/3 cup granulated white sugar; 3 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 cup unsalted butter; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature; 2 cups confectioners sugar; 1/3 cup cocoa powder; 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Sprinkles (optional)

If you’re anything like me, the holidays mean one thing: loads of delicious treats to share and savor. And oh, do I have a festive delight for you! These Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe are simply divine—dense, fudgy brownies crowned with a rich, dreamy chocolate frosting that just melts in your mouth. When I first tried this recipe, I was hooked, and now it’s a staple at every holiday gathering. Keep reading, because you’re going to want to make these your go-to holiday brownie ASAP.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultimate Fudgy Texture: These brownies are dense and chewy, hitting that perfect fudgy spot I know you crave.
Luxurious Chocolate Frosting: The frosting is rich but not too sweet—an indulgent upgrade from your typical brownie.
Festive and Fun: Add a sprinkle of holiday cheer with optional festive sprinkles, perfect for Christmas gatherings.
Simple Ingredients: No tricky specialty ingredients here, which means you can whip this up anytime without a mad dash to the store.

The image shows two plates of chocolate brownies with a smooth chocolate frosting topped with colorful Christmas-themed sprinkles including red, green, white round sprinkles, small gingerbread man shapes, and stars. The brownies are cut into squares, with three pieces on a shiny red plate with embossed patterns and four pieces on a white plate. Some sprinkles are scattered on the plates and the white marbled surface below. The background includes a knitted mitten in green, red, and white, a wooden reindeer ornament with small antlers, and a festive cloth with red patterns. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies, festive holiday brownies, fudgy Christmas brownies, chocolate frosting brownie recipe, holiday brownie dessert

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe uses ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and fridge, which makes it super approachable. Each one plays a role in creating that signature fudgy texture and luscious frosting you’ll love.

Flat lay of roughly chopped semi sweet chocolate chunks, a small white ceramic bowl filled with all purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated white sugar, three whole uncracked brown eggs, a block of unsalted butter at room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl with vanilla extract, a small pinch of salt displayed as coarse grains, a small white ceramic bowl of confectioners sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy whipping cream, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies, festive holiday brownies, fudgy Christmas brownies, chocolate frosting brownie recipe, holiday brownie dessert

Semi-sweet chocolate: I recommend chopping up good quality chocolate bars for melting; it gives the brownies a deeper chocolate flavor than chips.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of your brownies—just measure carefully to keep that fudgy texture intact.
Granulated white sugar: It caramelizes slightly when baked, balancing the rich chocolate.
Large eggs: Room temperature eggs help your batter mix in smoothly and bake evenly.
Unsalted butter (for brownies): Melted butter adds richness and moisture; make sure it’s unsalted for balanced flavor.
Vanilla extract: This little addition lifts the chocolate flavor beautifully and adds warmth.
Pinch of salt: Enhances all those sweet, chocolatey notes.
Unsalted butter (for frosting): Soft and at room temperature to whip up a smooth frosting.
Confectioners sugar: Fine powdered sugar is key to a silky, spreadable frosting.
Cocoa powder: Use unsweetened cocoa for that bold chocolate punch in the frosting.
Heavy whipping cream: Adds creaminess and helps achieve the perfect frosting consistency.
Vanilla extract (for frosting): Again, a flavor enhancer that dresses up chocolate frosting like nobody’s business.
Salt (for frosting): Just a tiny sprinkle to balance sweetness.
Sprinkles (optional): My favorite festive touch for Christmas brownies—go wild with colors or keep it classic.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to keep the base classic but have fun switching things up depending on the crowd or my mood. This Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe is super easy to customize, so I encourage you to get creative!

Add Nuts: I sometimes toss in chopped walnuts or pecans for a delightful crunch that contrasts the fudgy brownies.
Make It Minty: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the frosting for a refreshing holiday twist – my family goes crazy for it!
Gluten-Free Version: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend; just be mindful of measuring carefully to keep texture right.
Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter and a dairy-free milk for the frosting; it works surprisingly well without compromising flavor.

How to Make Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Chocolate and Butter

Grab a heatproof bowl and gently melt your chopped semi-sweet chocolate with the 1 cup of butter using a double boiler or microwave in 20-second bursts. Stir frequently to avoid burning. This step is crucial because melted chocolate and butter create the lush, fudgy base of the brownies. When it’s smooth and glossy, let it cool slightly while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 2: Combine Sugar, Eggs, and Vanilla

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar and eggs until glossy and combined—this gives the brownies structure and sweetness. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. The pinch of salt is like magic—it really brings out the chocolate flavor, so don’t skip it!

Step 3: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly pour your melted chocolate and butter mixture into the egg mixture, stirring gently to avoid scrambling the eggs. Once combined, sift in the flour and fold it in just until you see no more dry spots. Overmixing here can make the brownies tough, so be gentle and patient—it’s worth it for that tender fudgy texture.

Step 4: Bake Those Brownies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Pour in your batter evenly and bake for about 25 minutes. Here’s my tip: test by inserting a toothpick—if it comes out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter, your brownies are perfect. Remember, they’ll continue to set as they cool.

Step 5: Prepare the Chocolate Frosting

While your brownies bake and cool, whip together the frosting. Beat room temperature butter until creamy, then gradually add confectioners sugar and cocoa powder. Pour in heavy cream, vanilla, and salt and beat again until fluffy and spreadable. If the frosting feels too thick, a splash more cream will loosen it right up. This frosting is seriously the crown jewel of the recipe—rich but perfectly balanced.

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

Once your brownies are completely cooled—which I can’t stress enough or the frosting will melt—spread the chocolate frosting evenly across the top. If you want to get festive, sprinkle on your holiday sprinkles now. I love how the sprinkles add just the right pop of fun and color. Let the frosting set for about 30 minutes before slicing into squares.

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Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe

Use Room Temperature Eggs and Butter: It helps all the ingredients blend seamlessly and keeps your batter smooth.
Don’t Overbake: Remove from oven when a toothpick still shows moist crumbs — brownies finish setting as they cool.
Cool Completely Before Frosting: This prevents frosting from melting and keeps it luscious and spreadable.
Customize Your Sprinkles: Adding festive sprinkles not only brightens presentation but adds a fun crunch and holiday vibe!

How to Serve Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe

Several square pieces of chocolate brownies with a thick layer of chocolate frosting on top are placed on a white plate. The frosting is covered with colorful Christmas-themed sprinkles, including red, green, white, and brown shapes like stars and gingerbread men. Some sprinkles have fallen onto the plate. Near the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with more of the same sprinkles. A cute reindeer decoration with wooden antlers and a brown nose sits beside the bowl on a white marbled surface. A knitted mitten with red, green, and white patterns and buttons is also visible under the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies, festive holiday brownies, fudgy Christmas brownies, chocolate frosting brownie recipe, holiday brownie dessert

Garnishes

Honestly, the festive sprinkles are my go-to garnish—they’re cheerful, colorful, and bring that holiday spirit to every bite. I’ve also played around with crushed candy canes for a minty crunch or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect, which guests always appreciate as a pretty finishing touch.

Side Dishes

These brownies pair perfectly with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or a warm mug of spiced tea, especially during chilly winter nights. If I’m serving at a party, I like to have some fresh berries on the side to offer a fruity contrast to the rich chocolate. Trust me, your guests will thank you.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try arranging your brownies in festive shapes on a platter—think a Christmas tree outline using the brownies decorated with green sprinkles and red candy pieces. Wrapping individual brownies in clear cellophane tied with a bright ribbon also makes adorable edible gifts or party favors. I love turning simple brownies into a holiday showstopper!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, I store my brownies in an airtight container at room temperature if it’s just a day or two. If you need to stash them longer, the fridge works great but can slightly firm up the brownies and frosting. To bring back some softness, just let them sit out for 20 minutes before digging in.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these brownies successfully by cutting them into squares first, wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap, and then placing them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge. The frosting softens nicely and the texture stays just as fudgy—perfect for prepping your holiday treats well ahead of time.

Reheating

If you want to warm leftovers a bit, pop a brownie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This gently melts the frosting and revives that gooey brownie goodness. Just don’t overdo it or you’ll end up with melted frosting running everywhere!

FAQs

Can I use chocolate chips instead of chopped chocolate in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips for chopped chocolate. However, chopped bars tend to melt more smoothly and provide a richer flavor and texture, which I’ve found makes the brownies extra fudgy and luxurious.
How do I ensure my frosting isn’t too runny or too stiff?

Start by beating the butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add heavy whipping cream teaspoon by teaspoon to achieve your desired consistency. Too much cream can make frosting runny, while too little makes it stiff. If it gets too stiff, a splash more cream will fix it right up.
Why did my brownies turn out cakey instead of fudgy?

This usually happens if you overmix the batter once the flour is added, or if the baking time is too long. Mixing gently and pulling the brownies out when a toothpick shows moist crumbs helps keep that perfect fudgy texture.
Can I make these brownies ahead for a holiday party?

Absolutely! These brownies actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld. You can bake and frost them a day or two in advance—just keep them covered at room temperature or in the fridge, and bring them to room temperature before serving for the best experience.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Chocolate Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe has become my holiday dessert scream. It’s the perfect balance of rich and festive, and I promise once you try it, you’ll be adding it to your yearly rotation too. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or yourself (because why not?), these brownies deliver that cozy Christmas magic in every decadent bite. So preheat that oven and get ready to impress!