Christmas Present Brownies Recipe cravings hit me every December when the cookie tins come out. You know that moment when you need a festive dessert that looks cute, tastes amazing, and does not require you to babysit a mixer for an hour? These brownies are my go-to winner. They are rich, fudgy, and dressed up like tiny wrapped gifts that make everyone smile. You can bake them ahead, frost them simply, and still get a show-stopping look on your table. Let me show you how to pull off a batch without stress or fancy tools.
More About This Recipe
These brownies are exactly what they sound like: classic chocolate brownies trimmed to look like small presents. Picture squares of deep, fudgy chocolate topped with smooth frosting or ganache, then finished with bright “ribbons” and tiny “bows.” They are playful and impressive, but they are also straightforward to make. You can use a favorite homemade batter or a trusty box mix, and both turn out great with the right tweaks.
The Story Behind This Recipe
I’ve spent years testing recipes for Cuts Food, and this Deliciously Easy Christmas Present Brownies Recipe is a keeper: crowd-pleasing with no weird tricks. Christmas Present Brownies Recipe cravings hit me every December when the cookie tins come out. You know that moment when you need a festive dessert that…
What makes this Deliciously Easy Christmas Present Brownies Recipe special is how forgiving it is. Do not overthink the decorating. A simple white icing with a red gel ribbon looks festive without much effort. You can even make them in a 9 by 13 pan, cut into even squares, and line them up on a tray like a chocolate gift parade.
I fell in love with this method because it gives you flexibility. Want them extra fudgy? Use brown sugar and add a handful of chocolate chips. Prefer a bit more structure for cleaner cuts? Bake a few minutes longer and chill before slicing. The result is cute holiday magic that still feels cozy and homemade.
If you want to build out a full dessert spread, pair these brownies with bright, crunchy cookies. I love serving them next to these buttery Christmas spritz cookies for a soft-and-crisp combo that never fails.
“I made these last year for our family party, and people kept asking which bakery I bought them from. They were stunned when I said it was just me, a pan, and some frosting. Completely doable and absolutely delicious.”
Expert Tips
Little tweaks make a big difference with brownies. Here are the tricks I come back to every time:
- Line your pan with parchment and leave an overhang so you can lift the slab out easily for clean cuts.
- Do not overbake. Pull the pan when the center is just set. The brownies continue to cook as they cool.
- Chill before cutting. A quick fridge rest firms them up for sharp edges that look fantastic when decorated.
- Use a hot knife for slicing. Dip in hot water, wipe dry, cut, then repeat. Perfect brownie squares, every time.
- Keep decorations simple. Pipe or drizzle two lines across the top to make a ribbon, then add a small bow or candy on top. Simplicity looks neat and festive.
- Flavor boost. A teaspoon of espresso powder deepens the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.
- Shiny tops. Whisk sugar into very warm melted butter before adding eggs. That helps create a glossy, crackly top.
If you like themed treats, you might also enjoy these playful creepy eyeball brownies for October and swap back to gifts in December. Brownies adapt to any holiday, and this Deliciously Easy Christmas Present Brownies Recipe proves it.
Nutrition
Brownies are dessert, so we are aiming for balance, not perfection. A typical 2-inch square with frosting lands around 220 to 280 calories, depending on your ingredients and how lavishly you decorate. Expect roughly 3 to 4 grams of protein, about 30 to 36 grams of carbs, and 10 to 14 grams of fat per square. If you add chocolate chips, nuts, or thicker frosting, the numbers will nudge up.
Want to lighten it up a touch? Use a thinner frosting layer, cut slightly smaller squares, and skip extra mix-ins. You can also use Greek yogurt as part of the fat in the batter, though you will trade a bit of fudginess. If you need gluten-free brownies, a 1 to 1 baking flour generally works well, and chilling before cutting becomes even more important for tidy edges.
As always, your exact numbers will vary with brands and serving sizes. I like to think of these as a fun holiday treat that you can share generously while still enjoying a mindful portion. The beauty of this Deliciously Easy Christmas Present Brownies Recipe is that you can scale the size for kids or grown-ups and make the whole tray go further.
Easy Christmas Present Brownies
Ready to bake? Here is the step-by-step plan to make a batch that looks gift-wrapped and tastes like your favorite cozy brownie. We will keep it simple with accessible ingredients and easy decorating.
What You’ll Need
You will need a 9 by 13 baking pan, parchment paper, a mixing bowl, a whisk, a rubber spatula, and a small piping bag or zip-top bag for decorating. If you do not have a piping tip, snip a small corner off the bag. That is all you need to create neat ribbon lines.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder, optional
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips, optional for extra fudgy texture
- 1 to 1.5 cups frosting or ganache for topping
- Red and green icing gels, or colored candy melts, for the ribbon and bow
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350 F. Line the pan with parchment and lightly grease.
- Melt the butter gently. Whisk in sugar until glossy and warm. Let cool slightly.
- Whisk in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and espresso powder if using.
- Sift flour, cocoa, and salt. Fold dry ingredients into the wet batter just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips if you like.
- Spread batter evenly in the pan. Bake 24 to 28 minutes, until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan, then chill 30 minutes for easier slicing.
- Lift brownies out by the parchment. Square off the edges if needed and cut into even pieces. Aim for 20 to 24 small gifts.
- Frost the tops with a thin, smooth layer. Pipe or drizzle one ribbon across the middle horizontally, then another vertically. Add a small bow candy or a piped bow at the center. Let set before serving.
Planning a larger holiday menu? Balance the chocolate with something bright, like a citrus bar or a celebratory drink. I love a tray with these brownies next to a zippy pitcher of mistletoe margarita for the adults. And if you are craving a second bar recipe, try these sunny lemon brownies for a sweet-tart contrast. This is also where the Deliciously Easy Christmas Present Brownies Recipe shines, because it fits right into a party plan without a fuss.
Holiday Treats
Once you have your brownies, turn them into a full holiday dessert board. Add fresh berries for color, pretzels for crunch, and a few mint candies for a wintery vibe. Drop in a couple of cookies with stripes or swirls to echo the gift ribbon look. Guests notice those little touches, even if you put the whole thing together in ten minutes.
If you like cute handhelds for kids, consider adding Christmas cookie pops or classic pinwheels. I also love layering in a creamy showpiece like this Christmas trifle, which pairs beautifully with chocolate. You can keep flavors simple and still get a festive table that feels full and welcoming. When you have the Deliciously Easy Christmas Present Brownies Recipe in the mix, the rest practically builds itself.
Common Questions
How far ahead can I make these brownies?
Bake up to 2 days ahead. Store the uncut slab wrapped well at room temperature. Decorate the day you plan to serve for the freshest look.
What frosting should I use?
Use a simple buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or a quick chocolate ganache. Keep the layer thin so the brownies stay the star.
How do I keep the edges from crumbling when I cut?
Chill the brownies and use a sharp, hot knife. Wipe the blade between cuts for neat squares.
Can I freeze these?
Yes. Freeze undecorated squares in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw, frost, and decorate before serving.
What if I want a gluten-free option?
Use a 1 to 1 gluten-free flour blend and chill well before slicing. The results are still fudgy and easy to decorate.
Wrap It Up With a Bow
If you want a dessert that looks joyful and brings big chocolate flavor with minimal hassle, this Deliciously Easy Christmas Present Brownies Recipe never lets me down. It is simple to bake, fun to decorate, and guaranteed to earn compliments. For more ideas and variations, check out this guide to the Best Christmas Present Brownies Recipe – How To Make Christmas and this helpful walkthrough for an Easy Christmas Present Brownies Recipe – Tablespoon.com. I hope you bake a batch, share them generously, and feel proud of your perfectly wrapped chocolate gifts. Happy baking and happy holidays.
Christmas Present Brownies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment and lightly grease.
- Melt the butter gently, then whisk in sugar until glossy and warm. Let cool slightly.
- Whisk in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and espresso powder (if using).
- Sift flour, cocoa, and salt together. Fold dry ingredients into the wet batter just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips if desired.
- Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake the brownies for 24 to 28 minutes, until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan, then chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to make slicing easier.
- Lift the brownies out by the parchment, square off the edges if needed, and cut into even pieces, aiming for 20 to 24 small ‘gift’ squares.
- Frost the tops with a thin layer of frosting.
- Pipe or drizzle one ribbon across the middle horizontally, then another vertically. Add a small bow candy or a piped bow at the center.
- Let the decorations set before serving.
