Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe
If you’re looking to add a little extra festive magic to your holiday baking, this Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe is the one you want to try. Honestly, it’s become my go-to for Christmas parties and family gatherings—not only are the brownies fudgy and irresistible, but that colorful, creamy frosting makes them feel so special. Plus, it’s just so fun to decorate, which makes it great if you want to get the kids involved in the kitchen.
What I love most about this Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe is how versatile it is. Whether you’re using boxed brownie mix or whipping up a homemade batch, the frosting takes these brownies from delicious to downright dazzling. Adding edible gold stars and pearl sprinkles is like giving your brownies a holiday sparkle that’s hard to resist. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to make it a staple every December!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together simply yet brilliantly, creating that perfect festive treat that’s both rich and visually charming. When shopping, I usually pick up a good quality brownie mix if I’m short on time, but homemade always wins in flavor if you can swing it.
- Brownie mix or homemade brownie batter: Using a double batch ensures you have enough brownie base to frost generously without everything looking sparse.
- White frosting: I prefer a creamy, smooth frosting base—it’s the perfect canvas for your Christmas colors.
- Edible gel food coloring: These vibrant gels give you rich colors without watering down the frosting, unlike liquid food coloring.
- Edible gold stars: These tiny stars add a festive shimmer that looks stunning against the white frosting.
- White pearl sprinkles: They bring a classy touch of texture and holiday elegance you won’t want to skip.
- Icing bags and frosting tips: Essential for piping your frosting beautifully—trust me, it’s way easier than trying to spread it with a knife.
Variations
I love how flexible this Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe is, and I encourage you to make it your own! Over the years, I’ve mixed up the decorations and even the frosting flavors depending on what I have on hand, and it’s always a hit.
- Nutty delight: Adding chopped nuts into the brownie batter gives a lovely crunch that balances the soft frosting—my family goes crazy for this twist.
- Mint chocolate frosting: Swap out the vanilla frosting for a mint-flavored version using peppermint extract. It says “holiday” with every bite.
- Gluten-free option: I’ve used gluten-free brownie mixes with this recipe, and the results are just as delightful—no one even noticed!
- Vegan adaptation: Use a plant-based brownie recipe and dairy-free frosting. I’ve done this for vegan friends, and everyone loved it.
How to Make Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Bake your brownies perfectly
Whether you’re going with boxed mix or homemade batter, start by preparing your brownies according to package or recipe instructions. I like to use a 9×13 inch pan to get that nice thickness—thinner brownies don’t hold up as well under fancy frosting. Bake until a toothpick just comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter), then cool completely. This cool-down is key because warm brownies will melt your frosting and make a mess.
Step 2: Color your frosting
Divide your white frosting into bowls depending on how many festive colors you want to whip up. I usually go with classic red and green, but pastels or blues look super pretty, too. Use just a small amount of edible gel food coloring to get that bold color without diluting the frosting. Stir thoroughly until your color is even and vibrant.
Step 3: Pipe and decorate
Transfer each colored frosting to an icing bag fitted with a frosting tip of your choice—round or star tips work beautifully. I love piping festive shapes like stars, swirls, and dots. Don’t be shy about covering the brownie completely with generous frosting; that’s part of the charm. Once iced, sprinkle edible gold stars and white pearl sprinkles over the top while the frosting is still soft. This makes everything stick perfectly and adds that signature holiday sparkle.
How to Serve Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe

Garnishes
For me, the tiny edible gold stars are non-negotiable—they bring that perfect Christmas magic. I also like to add a dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh cranberries on the side for color and a fresh contrast. It’s these little touches that turn everyday brownies into a festive centerpiece.
Side Dishes
Whenever I serve these brownies, I like to balance the sweetness with a cup of peppermint tea or strong black coffee. For holiday gatherings, a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side makes the dessert truly decadent. Fresh fruit like sliced oranges or berries also pairs amazingly well and keeps things feeling bright.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve found that arranging the brownies on a festive platter lined with holly leaves or a pretty doily instantly makes them party-ready. For a fun twist, I sometimes serve them in mini cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go servings at cookie exchanges. If you’re feeling fancy, tie a cluster of brownies with ribbon and give them as edible gifts—it’s always a huge hit!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After making these Frosted Christmas Brownies, I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Keeping them out of the fridge helps the brownies stay soft and the frosting retain its creamy texture. They usually stay delicious for up to 3 days—if you have that much left!
Freezing
If you plan to freeze, I recommend baking and cooling the brownies, then freezing them unfrosted in a single layer wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When you’re ready, thaw and frost them fresh for the best texture. I’ve tried freezing already frosted brownies, but the frosting sometimes gets crumbly or sticky, so fresh frosting works best.
Reheating
These brownies are best served at room temperature, so if you want to warm them up a bit, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Avoid overheating, especially with frosted ones, or the frosting might melt. I usually reheat unfrosted brownies, then add the frosting right before serving for that fresh look and taste.
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought frosting for this Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought frosting works perfectly, especially if you’re short on time. Just make sure it’s a good-quality, creamy version for easy coloring and piping. If you have more time, you can make your own frosting for extra flavor and control over sweetness.
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What’s the best way to decorate brownies if I don’t have frosting tips?
No frosting tips? No problem! You can use a sturdy plastic bag with the corner snipped off for piping, or simply spread the frosting with a butter knife and add sprinkles on top. It won’t be as fancy, but it will still taste fantastic and look charming in its own way.
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How far in advance can I frost the brownies?
I recommend frosting your brownies the day you plan to serve them for the freshest look and best texture. If you frost too far ahead, the frosting may start to dry out or get sticky. If needed, you can frost them the night before and keep them covered tightly in the fridge.
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Can I use natural food coloring for the frosting?
Yes! Natural food coloring works well, though colors might be a bit more muted compared to gels. Beet juice powder, spirulina, and turmeric are popular natural options that add festive hues without artificial dyes.
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What do I do if my frosting is too runny?
If your frosting turns out too runny after adding color, pop it in the fridge for 15-30 minutes to firm up before piping. You can also add a bit more powdered sugar, but take care not to overdo it or the frosting might become too sweet or stiff.
Final Thoughts
This Frosted Christmas Brownies Recipe has been a joyful discovery for me—not just for its incredible fudgy flavor, but for how it brings people together around the holidays. Decorating those creamy, colorful frosting swirls with edible stars and pearls turns an ordinary brownie into a showstopper dessert that everyone remembers. I really hope you give it a try and see for yourself how easy and magical it is to make your holiday celebrations a little sweeter. Happy baking!
PrintFrosted Christmas Brownies Recipe
Delight in these festive Frosted Christmas Brownies, featuring rich, fudgy brownies generously topped with creamy white frosting. Decorate with edible gel food coloring, gold stars, and white pearl sprinkles to create a holiday treat that’s both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious. Perfect for holiday parties and gifting!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 24 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Brownies
- 2 Boxes of Brownie Mix, or a double batch of homemade brownies
Frosting & Decorations
- 1–3 jars of White Frosting (depending on desired coverage)
- Edible Gel Food Coloring (alternative: no artificial dye food coloring)
- Edible Gold Stars
- White Pearl Sprinkles
- Icing Bags
- Frosting Tips
Instructions
- Prepare the Brownies: Follow the instructions on the brownie mix or prepare your homemade brownie recipe and bake accordingly. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before frosting to prevent melting and ensure smooth application.
- Divide and Color the Frosting: Separate white frosting into several small bowls. Use edible gel food coloring to tint each bowl of frosting different festive colors, such as red, green, and pink. Mix well to achieve vibrant, even colors.
- Load Icing Bags: Fit icing bags with your desired frosting tips. Fill each bag with a different colored frosting to prepare for decorating.
- Decorate the Brownies: Pipe the colored frostings onto the cooled brownies in festive patterns, such as swirls, stars, or stripes. Be creative with your designs to make each brownie unique and colorful.
- Add Sprinkles and Stars: While the frosting is still soft, generously sprinkle edible gold stars and white pearl sprinkles over the top for a sparkling holiday effect.
- Set and Serve: Allow the frosting to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes to 1 hour before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy these festive treats at your holiday gathering!
Notes
- Ensure brownies are completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting or sliding frosting.
- Use gel-based food coloring instead of liquid to prevent thinning the frosting.
- Adjust the amount of frosting used based on how thickly you prefer to frost the brownies.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free brownie mix and verify that decorations are gluten-free.
Keywords: Christmas brownies, frosted brownies, holiday dessert, festive desserts, white frosting brownies, edible decorations
