Christmas Brownie Shapes with Festive Buttercream Frosting Recipe

If you’re looking to add some festive cheer to your holiday baking, you’re going to adore this Christmas Brownie Shapes with Festive Buttercream Frosting Recipe. I absolutely love how these brownies turn out – fudgy, chewy, and decorated with bright, colorful buttercream – they’re like little edible presents! Whether you’re making them for a holiday party, gifting them, or just craving a sweet seasonal treat, this recipe will have you smiling all the way through frosting those cute shapes. Let me walk you through the process so you nail every step perfectly.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this recipe lies in its simple ingredients that pack a flavor punch and come together beautifully. For the brownies, I use my favorite chewy brownie base, which means you don’t have to worry about dry or cakey results. The buttercream frosting is rich, smooth, and takes on color effortlessly for that festive flair.

• Brownie Ingredients: I recommend using high-quality cocoa powder for depth and a mix of butter and oil to keep things moist.
• Sugar: A blend of brown and granulated sugar helps keep the texture chewy and adds a lovely caramel hint.
• Eggs: They bind everything perfectly and add that fudgy texture.
• Flour: Just enough so the brownies hold their shape but stay tender.
• Buttercream Frosting: Unsalted butter and powdered sugar form the base of this creamy, spreadable frosting.
• Gel Food Coloring: This is key for vibrant colors without thinning your frosting.
• Edible Decorations: Think festive sprinkles, mini M&Ms, or edible glitter – whatever gets you in holiday spirit!

Variations

I love to customize this recipe depending on who I’m baking for – a little tweak here and there can make it perfect for everyone. Feel free to play around with different frosting colors and decorations or even swap out ingredients to suit dietary needs.

• Chocolate Lovers’ Delight: I once added chocolate chips inside the brownie batter for extra melty pockets – my family went crazy for that version.
• Nut-Free Option: Simply omit any nuts and double-check decorations — perfect for kids’ school treats.
• Vegan Twist: Use a vegan butter substitute and flax eggs; it works surprisingly well and everyone enjoyed it.
• Flavor Infusion: Add peppermint extract to the buttercream for that classic Christmas zing.

How to Make Christmas Brownie Shapes with Festive Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Bake Your Brownie Base to Perfection

Start by making a double batch of your favorite chewy brownies (I use mine that’s tried and true). Pop the batter into a 9×13-inch metal pan lined with parchment paper or foil for easy removal later. Since it’s a double batch, add about 3-5 extra minutes to baking time. When done, let them cool completely – patience is key here! I like to chill mine for a couple of hours or even overnight when I can; it makes cutting more precise and the brownies hold their shape beautifully.

Step 2: Whip Up the Festive Buttercream

While your brownies are chilling, prepare the buttercream frosting. I swear by my Best Ever Buttercream – it’s fluffy, smooth, and holds up well on shapes. Divide the frosting into small bowls and mix in gel food coloring to get all the festive shades you want. Whether you prefer one solid color (hello, green!) or a rainbow of hues, get your disposable piping bags fitted with your favorite tips. This part is where you get to have fun and personalize each brownie shape!

Step 3: Cut Out Your Christmas Brownie Shapes

Now for my favorite step: cutting! Lift the whole slab of brownies out of the pan by grabbing the edges of the parchment or foil – no need to flip them, just keep them on the lining. Use tall metal cookie cutters in festive shapes (trees, stars, snowflakes – whatever you like). Press down firmly, spacing the shapes close to get the most out of your slab. To get the cut shapes out neatly, gently slide an offset spatula or paring knife underneath the pieces and carefully pop them out. I find that colder brownies release from the cutters so much easier, so chilling really pays off here.

Step 4: Decorate with Festive Buttercream and Toppings

Pipe colorful, festive buttercream onto each brownie shape. Don’t wait too long to add your sprinkles or mini M&Ms because the frosting starts to dry and won’t hold toppings as well if you delay. This is the moment to get creative! Whether you keep it simple with a swirl or go all out with patterns and multiple colors, these brownies shine best when they look as good as they taste.

How to Serve Christmas Brownie Shapes with Festive Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for festive touches – tiny holiday sprinkles, edible glitter, crushed candy canes, or colorful mini M&Ms always top my Christmas brownies. They add crunch and that cheerful sparkle you want when sharing at a holiday gathering. I even like to add little sugar pearls for elegance when baking for special parties.

Side Dishes

These brownies pair wonderfully with classic holiday drinks – think hot cocoa, peppermint tea, or even an eggnog latte. I also like serving them alongside simple vanilla ice cream to balance the richness and give guests a variety of textures.

Creative Ways to Present

I like arranging the brownie shapes like a Christmas tree on a big platter, using green and red frosting to make ‘ornaments’ with sprinkles. Wrapping individual shapes in cellophane tied with festive ribbon makes a sweet edible gift. For parties, a tiered dessert stand with mixed shapes and colors always impresses my guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. One thing I learned the hard way is to keep them airtight – otherwise, the edges dry out quickly once cut. Placing parchment paper between layers keeps the frosting intact and looking fresh.

Freezing

For freezing, I freeze the brownies before frosting – either the whole slab or individual cut shapes wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then placed in freezer bags. This keeps them tasting fresh for up to a month. When it’s time to decorate, thaw overnight in the fridge or a couple hours at room temp before frosting.

Reheating

Because these are decorated with buttercream, reheating isn’t really recommended. However, if you want to warm them slightly, I gently microwave a single brownie for 5-7 seconds to soften the chocolate and bring back a little gooeyness without melting the frosting too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Brownie Shapes with Festive Buttercream Frosting Recipe has been my go-to for years whenever I want to make something that brings smiles and warm holiday vibes. There’s something so joyful about baking these fun shapes and decorating them together with family or friends – it creates memories as sweet as the treats themselves. I encourage you to try it out this season and watch everyone’s eyes light up when you present these festive delights! Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become a holiday tradition in your kitchen too.

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