Festive Christmas Brownie Shapes Recipe

If you’re looking to add a little extra holiday magic to your baking this year, I can’t recommend this Festive Christmas Brownie Shapes Recipe enough. It’s not just any brownies — these are shaped, frosted, and decorated to bring all the festive cheer right to your table. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, gifting treats, or just craving some seasonal sweets, these brownies make the perfect centerpiece that’s as fun to make as they are to eat.

I love how this recipe turns a classic dessert into an interactive and colorful experience. You get that rich, chewy brownie base paired with a smooth buttercream that’s easy to tint with gel colors — and then everything’s topped with cheerful sprinkles and candy. Trust me, decking out your brownies in holiday spirit is a total crowd-pleaser, and it’s a wonderful way to involve kids or friends in the kitchen for some festive bonding.

Ingredients You’ll Need

I’m sharing my go-to ingredients here because each one plays a key role in making these brownies rich yet chewy, and the buttercream smooth and bright. I usually stock up on a few types of sprinkles and some mini M&Ms around the holidays to get that perfect festive look.

• Brownie batter ingredients: Use quality cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor and fresh eggs to get that fudgy texture just right.
• Buttercream frosting ingredients: Real butter and powdered sugar make the frosting creamy — plus gel food coloring to get those vibrant Christmas hues without diluting the frosting.
• Decorations: Think mini M&Ms, holiday-themed sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or anything edible that brings some sparkle — I find having a variety makes decorating way more fun.

Variations

I love playing around with this Festive Christmas Brownie Shapes Recipe depending on who I’m baking for and what ingredients I have on hand. Feel free to customize both the brownie base and the decorations to suit your taste — the possibilities are endless!

• Nutty Brownies: I sometimes toss in chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch, especially when gifting to family who loves that texture.
• Vegan Option: Use a flax egg substitute and dairy-free butter to make the brownies and frosting vegan-friendly; it’s surprisingly close in taste!
• Spiced Frosting: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or ginger to the buttercream gives those classic Christmas warm spices a subtle twist.
• White Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some white chocolate and drizzle over the decorated shapes for a snowy, elegant finish.

How to Make Festive Christmas Brownie Shapes Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Brownie Base

Start by making a double batch of the Best Ever Chewy Brownies — this gives you plenty of brownie to cut into fun shapes. I always line a 9 by 13-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper or foil to make removal super easy after baking. Bake your brownies until just set, so they’re chewy and moist rather than cakey. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.

Step 2: Let the Brownies Cool Completely

This step is key because if the brownies are warm, your buttercream frosting will melt and get messy. I usually pull the pan from the oven and let it cool on the counter for at least an hour, or pop it in the fridge to speed things along. Patience here pays off big time!

Step 3: Make and Color Your Buttercream

Whip up a batch of my Best Ever Buttercream Frosting — this buttercream holds up well but stays soft enough to pipe or spread. Divide it into small bowls and mix in gel food coloring until you have a festive rainbow of colors to work with. Just a tip: start with a small amount of color, then add more until you get the shade you want. Gel is powerful stuff!

Step 4: Cut and Frost Your Shapes

Using cookie cutters in holiday shapes — think stars, trees, stockings — cut the cooled brownies into fun pieces. Transfer the shapes to a flat surface or serving platter. Then, spread or pipe the colored buttercream onto each brownie shape. I find piping gives a cleaner look, but spreading with a butter knife is quicker and just as tasty.

Step 5: Decorate with Sprinkles and Candies

This is my favorite step — bring out your sprinkles, mini M&Ms, and chocolate chips, and get creative. Press them gently into the frosting so they stick well. Kids especially love helping with this part, which makes it feel extra festive and fun. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect; holiday treats are all about joyful imperfection!

How to Serve Festive Christmas Brownie Shapes Recipe

Garnishes

I usually finish these festive brownies with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a “snowy” effect, and sometimes add edible glitter when I’m feeling fancy. Fresh mint leaves or a few cranberries on the side can also add a pop of color and a refreshing contrast to the rich chocolate.

Side Dishes

I like pairing these brownies with a simple cup of hot cocoa or eggnog to really complete the cozy holiday vibe. They also work wonderfully alongside a platter of Christmas cookies or fruitcake for a sweet dessert spread that everyone will love sampling.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the brownie shapes on a large serving tray lined with evergreen sprigs and tiny pinecones for a rustic holiday look. Another time, I packaged them individually in clear bags tied with festive ribbon — perfect for gifting neighbors or coworkers. You can also stack the brownie shapes like a Christmas tree on a cake stand for an impressive centerpiece!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftover Festive Christmas Brownie Shapes in an airtight container in the fridge — the buttercream frosting holds up well without getting soggy. They usually stay fresh and delicious for up to 4-5 days, and you can let them come to room temperature before serving to bring back that fudgy texture.

Freezing

For freezing, I like to put the unfrosted brownie base in the freezer first, wrapped tightly, then frost and decorate after thawing. However, if you want to freeze the decorated shapes, make sure the frosting is firm, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a container or freezer bag. This helps keep their shape intact and decorations looking nice.

Reheating

When you’re ready to enjoy leftovers, I recommend setting the brownies out at room temperature for about 30 minutes so the buttercream softens nicely. Avoid microwaving frosted brownies as it can melt the frosting and make things messy, but if you want to warm the brownie slightly, remove the frosting first and add it back on once warm.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Brownie Shapes Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions — it’s the one dessert that always brings smiles and invites everyone to get creative in the kitchen. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these chewy, colorful treats as much as I do. Go ahead, gather your favorite cutters and decorations, and make some beautiful brownie shapes that will brighten your Christmas celebrations!

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