Description
Delightfully festive Christmas Present Brownies that combine rich, fudgy chocolate with colorful candy melt decorations to resemble wrapped holiday gifts. Perfect for spreading holiday cheer at parties or as a sweet seasonal treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownie Batter
- 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)
Decorations
- Red, green, and white candy melts
- Mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make it easier to lift the brownies out after baking.
- Melt Butter and Combine Sugar: Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in the granulated sugar until smooth and fully incorporated. Allow this mixture to cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the eggs in the next step.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Gradually add the eggs and vanilla extract into the cooled butter and sugar mixture, whisking continuously until the batter becomes thick, glossy, and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to ensure a smooth, lump-free dry mix.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Fold the dry ingredients gently into the wet mixture until just combined and the batter is smooth. If desired, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips for extra chocolatey bursts.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Remove: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment paper and cut into 12 equal squares.
- Decorate with Candy Melts: Melt the red, green, and white candy melts according to package instructions. Drizzle the melted candy over the brownies to resemble festive ribbons. Optionally, adorn with mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles for an extra festive touch.
- Set Decorations: Let the decorated brownies sit at room temperature or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to allow the candy melts to harden before serving.
Notes
- To ensure fudgy brownies, do not overbake; check with a toothpick for moist crumbs.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner edges.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate chips according to preference.
- Candy melts can be gently warmed in short bursts in the microwave to prevent burning.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
