Introduction

These Christmas Present Brownies are a festive twist on a classic favorite, perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting. Rich, fudgy, and decorated to look like wrapped presents, they bring both joy and deliciousness to your celebration.

A white square plate holds nine rich chocolate brownies arranged closely in a grid. Each brownie has a cracked, shiny top layer and thick, dense texture visible on the sides. They are decorated with colorful icing shaped like gift bows: most have bright green bows made with smooth icing, while a few feature red bows or a combination of red and white icing lines under the bow, adding a festive look. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, enhancing the contrast with the dark brownies and bright decorations. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup (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 for extra fudginess)
Red, green, and white candy melts (for decoration)
Mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles (optional but festive!)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to make removing the brownies easier later. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the sugar until the mixture is smooth and shiny. Let it cool slightly before whisking in the eggs and vanilla extract continuously until the batter is thick and glossy.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula, stirring until just combined and smooth. If desired, fold in the chocolate chips for an extra rich texture, but be careful not to overmix.
Step 3: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking, as the brownies will continue to set as they cool. Let them cool completely in the pan before decorating.
Step 4: Once cool, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and place on a cutting board. Cut into even squares to resemble gift boxes. Melt the red, green, and white candy melts separately, microwaving in 15-second bursts and stirring until smooth.
Step 5: Decorate the brownies by drizzling or piping the melted candy melts in crisscross patterns to mimic ribbons. Add mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles on top for an extra festive look.
Step 6: Let the candy decorations set at room temperature or refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes to speed up hardening. Once set, arrange the brownies on a serving platter or pack them in a gift box lined with parchment paper.

Tips & Variations

For thicker brownies, use a smaller pan or add an extra half cup of flour.
Substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or white chocolate chips depending on your preference.
Use different colored candy melts to match your holiday theme or create fun patterns.
Add a pinch of espresso powder to the batter to enhance the chocolate flavor.
For a gluten-free option, replace flour with a gluten-free baking blend.

Storage

Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To keep decorations intact, avoid stacking brownies directly on top of each other. Reheat by warming a single brownie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if desired, but decorations are best enjoyed cool.

How to Serve

A white plate sits on a white marbled surface filled with twelve square chocolate brownies. Each brownie has a shiny, slightly cracked dark brown top layer and looks moist inside. Seven brownies are decorated with smooth green icing ribbons and bows, two have bright red icing ribbons and bows, two have white icing ribbons and bows, and one has a red and white striped icing ribbon with a green bow. One brownie is cut in half, showing a rich, dark, textured inside. The scene is brightly lit, highlighting the glossy icing and fudgy texture of the brownies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these brownies ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake and decorate these brownies up to two days in advance. Store them in an airtight container in a cool place to keep the candy decorations firm.

What can I use if I don’t have candy melts?

If you don’t have candy melts, you can use melted white chocolate or colored royal icing for decorating. Alternatively, drizzle melted chocolate and add festive sprinkles for a simpler look.

Christmas Present Brownies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 57 reviews

Celebrate the holidays with these festive Christmas Present Brownies, featuring rich, chewy chocolate goodness decorated to look like adorable gift boxes. The fudgy brownies are made from a classic cocoa batter enriched with butter and eggs, then topped with colorful candy melts and festive sprinkles to create a joyful, edible centerpiece perfect for gifting or sharing at holiday gatherings.

Author: Stella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 24 brownies (9×13-inch pan, cut into 4x6 squares) 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Brownie Batter

1 cup (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 for extra fudginess)

Decoration

Red, green, and white candy melts
Mini candy bows or holiday sprinkles (optional, for festive decoration)

Instructions

Prepare the brownie batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides for easy removal later. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat and whisk in the sugar until smooth and shiny. Let it cool slightly before adding the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking continuously until the mixture looks thick and glossy.
Add the dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula. Stir until everything is well combined and smooth—avoid overmixing so your brownies stay chewy. If desired, fold in a cup of chocolate chips for an extra rich and gooey texture.
Bake the brownies: Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan before decorating.
Cut and decorate like gifts: Once cooled, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper and place them on a cutting board. Cut into even squares resembling gift boxes. Melt the red, green, and white candy melts in separate bowls by microwaving in 15-second bursts, stirring in between until smooth. Drizzle or pipe the melted candy over each brownie in crisscross lines to mimic ribbons. Add mini candy bows, tiny candies, or festive sprinkles on top for extra charm.
Let the decorations set: Allow the candy melts to harden at room temperature or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to speed up setting. Arrange the decorated Christmas Present Brownies on a platter or package them in gift boxes lined with parchment paper for a delightful holiday treat or gift.

Notes

Avoid overmixing the batter to keep brownies chewy and fudgy.
Use parchment paper with overhang for easy removal of brownies from the pan.
Chocolate chips are optional but add extra richness and gooey texture.
Allow brownies to cool completely before decorating to prevent candy melts from melting.
Store decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.

Keywords: Christmas brownies, holiday brownies, fudgy brownies, festive desserts, gift box brownies, chocolate brownies, holiday treats