Hey friend, let’s be real: the second December hits, we all turn into baking maniacs who want our house to smell like chocolate 24/7. And nothing—NOTHING—says “Merry Christmas” like a pan of warm, fudgy brownies. Cookies are great, but brownies? They’re the cool cousin who shows up with presents and zero judgment.
I’ve rounded up the 12 most irresistible Christmas brownie recipes that are stupid-easy, taste like pure holiday magic, and will have people fighting over the corner pieces. Whether you’re gifting, partying, or just stress-eating in fuzzy socks (no judgment), there’s a brownie here for you.
Grab your cocoa powder and let’s get dangerously delicious.
1. Peppermint Bark Brownies (The One Everyone Photographs First)
These are the brownies that break Instagram. Fudgy dark chocolate base + white chocolate peppermint topping = holiday crack.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 4 eggs
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup crushed candy canes
- 8 oz white chocolate, melted
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 pan with parchment.
- Melt butter and bittersweet chocolate together (microwave or double boiler—your call).
- Whisk in sugar, then eggs one at a time. Add vanilla.
- Fold in flour, cocoa, and salt—just until combined. Overmixing is the enemy.
- Pour into pan and bake 25–28 minutes. Center should still look slightly underdone.
- Cool completely, then pour melted white chocolate on top and sprinkle crushed candy canes before it sets.
Why You’ll Love It
The brownie is insanely fudgy, the white chocolate layer is creamy, and the peppermint snap makes it taste like Christmas exploded in your mouth—in the best way. I brought these to a cookie swap once and literally no one touched the cookies. Rude, but fair.
2. Eggnog Swirl Brownies
Because if you’re not putting eggnog in everything in December, are you even living?
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter
- 6 oz semisweet chocolate
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ cup prepared eggnog
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar (for swirl)
- 1 egg yolk
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make brownie batter as usual with the first set of ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, egg yolk, and eggnog until smooth.
- Pour brownie batter into pan, dollop eggnog mixture on top, then swirl with a knife like you’re making art (or a hot mess—both work).
- Bake 30–35 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
Rich, spiced, and just boozy-tasting enough without actual booze (but add rum extract if you’re feeling festive and over 21 😉).
3. Gingerbread Brownies with Molasses Frosting
Gingerbread meets brownie in a way that should be illegal.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter
- 6 oz dark chocolate
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 cup flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp cloves
- Cream cheese + powdered sugar + molasses for frosting
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Same base method—melt butter + chocolate, whisk in eggs/sugars/molasses, fold in dry.
- Bake 28–32 minutes.
- Frost when cool with a tangy molasses cream cheese frosting.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s like eating a gingerbread house that doesn’t require construction skills or therapy afterward.
4. Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownies
Sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy—basically the brownie version of “I can’t stop, won’t stop.”
Ingredients
- Your favorite brownie batter
- 1 cup pretzels, roughly crushed
- ¾ cup thick caramel sauce (homemade or Dulce de Leche)
- Flaky sea salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Pour half the batter in the pan.
- Drizzle caramel, scatter pretzels.
- Top with remaining batter.
- Bake, then drizzle more caramel and sprinkle salt while warm.
Why You’ll Love It
The pretzels stay crunchy if you add them halfway through baking (pro tip from the girl who learned the soggy way).
5. Hot Cocoa Brownies with Toasted Marshmallow Top
Remember those Swiss Miss packets? This is their glow-up.
Ingredients
- Brownie batter made with hot cocoa mix instead of some cocoa powder
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Swap ¼ cup cocoa for 2 packets hot cocoa mix.
- Bake brownies 5 minutes less than usual.
- Remove from oven, cover with marshmallows, broil 1–2 minutes until toasted.
Why You’ll Love It
Tastes exactly like drinking hot cocoa by the fire, but you can eat it with your hands. 10/10 winter vibes.
6. Cranberry Orange Bliss Brownies
Bright, tart, and sophisticated enough for your bougie aunt who “doesn’t usually eat dessert.”
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- Standard brownie batter + ½ tsp orange extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Toss cranberries with 2 tbsp sugar, roast 10 minutes at 400°F.
- Fold roasted cranberries and orange zest into batter.
- Bake as usual.
Why You’ll Love It
The cranberries pop in your mouth and cut through the richness. Surprisingly addictive.
7. Boozy Rum Ball Brownies (21+ only, obviously)
For when you want to get the party started… responsibly.
Ingredients
- Brownie batter made with ¼ cup dark rum replacing some liquid
- Rum-soaked raisins
- Chocolate ganache spiked with more rum
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Soak ½ cup raisins in ⅓ cup rum overnight.
- Add to batter, bake, top with boozy ganache.
Why You’ll Love It
One square = instant holiday cheer. Two squares = you’re singing carols off-key. You’ve been warned.
8. White Chocolate Pistachio Brownies (The Pretty One)
Green and red pistachios make these naturally Christmas-colored. No food coloring needed.
Ingredients
- 1 cup white chocolate
- ¾ cup butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1½ cups flour
- ¾ cup shelled pistachios, chopped
- Green food coloring (optional, but festive)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Melt white chocolate + butter.
- Proceed like normal blondie-style batter.
- Fold in pistachios at the end.
Why You’ll Love It
Nutty, buttery, and looks like you spent hours when you definitely didn’t.
9. Red Velvet Candy Cane Crunch Brownies
The classic that never fails.
Ingredients
- Fudgy brownie base
- Crushed candy canes mixed into batter + more on top
- Optional: Andes peppermint crunch pieces
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix half the crushed candy canes into the batter.
- Sprinkle the rest on top in the last 5 minutes of baking so they melt slightly but stay crunchy.
Why You’ll Love It
Mint-chocolate perfection that kids and adults both demolish.
10. Chestnut Brownies (Yes, Really)
Roasted chestnuts give these an unbelievably cozy, nutty depth.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chestnut purée (canned or homemade)
- Reduced flour (¾ cup)
- Extra egg for structure
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Replace some butter with chestnut purée.
- Bake slightly longer—they’re dense in the best way.
Why You’ll Love It
Tastes like a European Christmas market in brownie form. Fancy without trying.
11. Matcha White Chocolate Brownies (For the Trendy Friend)
Green brownies that actually taste amazing—fight me.
Ingredients
- White chocolate base
- 2 tbsp culinary-grade matcha
- White chocolate chunks
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sift matcha with flour to avoid clumps.
- Fold in white chocolate chunks for gooey pockets.
Why You’ll Love It
Earthy, sweet, and the color is straight-up Grinch goals.
12. Triple Chocolate Espresso Brownies (The Closer
Because we’re ending with a bang: dark, milk, and white chocolate + espresso powder for that “I’m awake and unstoppable” energy.
Ingredients
- 8 oz dark chocolate
- 4 oz milk chocolate
- 4 oz white chocolate chunks
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add espresso powder when melting the dark chocolate—it blooms the flavor like crazy.
- Fold in milk and white chunks at the very end.
Why You’ll Love It
This is the brownie that makes people go silent except for occasional moans. True story.
There you go, you beautiful baking beast—12 Christmas brownie recipes that will make you the most popular person at every party, gift exchange, and family gathering this year.
My personal ranking? Peppermint Bark (#1 forever), Salted Caramel Pretzel (dangerously close second), and Eggnog Swirl when I’m feeling extra.
Which one are you making first? Drop it in the comments—I need to know I’m not the only one who’s about to gain five happy pounds this December.
Now go forth and bake like your reputation depends on it (because let’s be honest… it kind of does). Happy holidays, and may your brownies forever! 🎄🍫
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