Homemade Christmas Brownies with ganache topping and sprinkles make the best dessert. It is easy and so delicious. Save this recipe for your Christmas parties and more.
This rich fudge brownie has Christmas M&M’s and sprinkles mixed in for a festive treat. To make this dessert even better, there is a decadent ganache topping.
It is such a festive treat to make for Christmas parties, movie night and more. We also like to make Grinch Brownies, Christmas Cake Pops and Christmas Cookie bars every year. Another favorite is Christmas Mints along with Easy Christmas Dessert Recipes. If you need gluten free options, try 45 Gluten Free Christmas Desserts.
Why we love this recipe
It is very simple to make brownies from scratch. This recipe is absolutely fabulous and comes together fast for an easy Christmas Dessert along with Ugly Sweater Cake, Snowman Chocolate Covered Oreos and Christmas Dessert Lasagna Recipe
Table of Contents
Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Cocoa Powder
- All Purpose Flour
- Large Eggs
- Christmas M&Ms
For the Ganache Topping:
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- Heavy Cream
- Christmas Sprinkles
The recipe card at the bottom of the post includes the complete recipe ingredients and instructions.
Variations:
- Christmas tree. Cut the brownies in a Christmas tree shape using a cookie cutter.
- Brownie Mix. Substitute the homemade brownies for a store bought boxed mix.
- Frosting. Decorate the tops of the brownies using a piping bag. Feel free to use food coloring to make red and green icing if desired.
- Seasonal. You can easily enjoy this recipe all year round. Simply substitute the Christmas M&M’s and sprinkles for traditional ones or other holidays. The possibilities are endless.
- Peppermint. Substitute the M&M’s on top for crushed peppermint. It will add a hint of mint flavor and look pretty.
How to make brownies for Christmas:
- Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the baking dish and spray a 9X13 baking pan with a non-stick cooking spray. You can also line the pan with foil to make it easy to just lift the entire sheet of brownies out.
Step 2. Combine the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Thoroughly combine the butter, eggs, sugars and vanilla extract until they are well mixed.
Step 3. Then slowly stir in the cocoa powder, flours, salt and baking powder. Mix these ingredients in by hand. Then gently stir in 1 cup of the Christmas M&Ms.
Step 4. Pour into a baking dish. Spread the batter into the 9X13 pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 5. While the brownies are baking, make the ganache. Heat the heavy whipped cream in a saucepan.
Step 6. Pour in the chocolate chips. Stir until well combined and melted.
Step 7. Pour the chocolate on the brownies. Smooth it out using a spatula.
Step 8. Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms and Christmas sprinkles on the brownies.
Step 9. Chill the brownies before cutting. Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the topping to set. Then cut and serve.
Pro Tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients. Use ingredients that are room temperature to make it easier to mix together. It will be so much easier and faster to combine.
- Do not overmix. If you overmix the brownie batter, it will result in a more cake like consistency. Only blend until just combined so they will turn out fudgy.
- Hand stir the candy. Do not use the mixer to combine the M&M’s. Gently stir by hand until mixed together with the batter.
- Line the baking dish. You can easily remove the entire sheet of brownies if you line the pan with foil.
- Spread the batter evenly. The batter will be thick. Use a spatula to smooth out the top before baking.
FAQ’s
Allow to cool completely before cutting. It is best to refrigerate for at least 1 hour for the ganache topping to set entirely
Use a sharp knife and wipe any excess brownie off the knife. This will ensure each cut is nice and clean.
Store the leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
We eat these pretty quickly so our brownies never last that long.
Yes, place the brownies in an airtight freezer container or plastic bag. Separate the layers of bars with parchment paper to keep them from sticking.
Make sure to allow the brownies to cool completely before freezing. They can be frozen up to 2 months.
When ready to serve, allow to thaw on the counter for 2 to 3 hours.
More Christmas Desserts
- Christmas Tree Brownies
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Festive Christmas cookie bars
- Christmas tree rice krispie treats
- Easy Christmas crack chex mix
- Candy Cane Sleighs
I am so excited for you to make this Christmas brownies recipe for one of our favorite easy holiday desserts. Please leave a comment once you do!
Christmas Brownies
Ingredients
For the Brownies:
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 2/3 cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Baking Powder
- 4 Large Eggs
- 1 cup Butter melted
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1.5 cups Christmas M&Ms
For the Ganache Topping:
- 2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- Christmas Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9X13 baking pan with a non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the butter, eggs, sugars and vanilla extract until they are well mixed.
- Then slowly stir in the cocoa powder, flours, salt and baking powder. Mix these ingredients in by hand and be careful not to over mix these ingredients. Then gently stir in 1 cup of the Christmas M&Ms.
- Spread the batter into the 9X13 pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the brownies comes out clean. Be careful not to over bake or the brownies will be dry.
- Prepare the fudge topping by heating up the heavy whipping cream in a saucepan on medium heat. Add the chocolate chips and keep stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Pour on top of brownies and smooth it out using a spatula.
- Sprinkle the remaining M&Ms and Chrstmas sprinkles on top and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the topping to set.
- Then cut, serve and enjoy!
