Christmas Brownie Pops: Fudgy, Festive, and Fun!
Let’s get into the spirit of the season with the most decadent treat you’ll be obsessed with this year— my Christmas Brownie Pops! Picture this: rich, fudgy brownies with perfectly crinkly tops, decorated with all the holiday classics that make this time of year so magical. From Swiss meringue buttercream to sprinkles, candy canes, and more, these little brownie pops are as festive as they are delicious! And the best part? They’re so much fun to make.
Inspired by last year’s fall brownie pops, I decided to give them a holiday makeover, adding a twist with my signature Swiss meringue buttercream (recipe in my cookbook - Baking Magic which you can snag on Amazon!). Instead of the usual melted chocolate, this buttercream gives the brownies an extra layer of creamy goodness. Trust me, it’s a game-changer! 😋
Let’s dive in and get baking—because these brownie pops are about to become your new holiday tradition.
Brownie Slices Recipe
Ingredients:
2/3 cup (130 g) granulated sugar
2/3 cup (135 g) dark brown sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter
1 cup (100 g) dark chocolate chips/chunks
1/4 cup (54 g) vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup (75 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup (50 g) dark chocolate (for folding in)
Directions:
Preheat & Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. Grease a 10-inch round silicone mold (or a springform pan) with nonstick spray to ensure your brownies come out without a hitch. Trust me, you’ll thank me later when you don’t have to wrestle with stuck-on brownies!
Cream the Sugars and Eggs: In the bowl of your stand mixer (fitted with the paddle attachment), combine the granulated sugar and dark brown sugar with the eggs. Beat on high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and a little bit dreamy—this gives your brownies that perfect texture and richness.
Melt the Butter and Chocolate: While the sugar and egg mixture is coming together, melt the unsalted butter in a heatproof bowl by microwaving it in 30-second intervals. Stir between each interval to avoid overheating. Once the butter is melted, add the dark chocolate chips and stir until completely smooth. This mixture will be the secret to your fudgy brownie texture—don’t skimp on it!
Combine Wet Ingredients: Now, turn the speed of the mixer to low and slowly pour in the butter-chocolate mixture, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is fully incorporated, and your batter is as rich as your chocolate dreams.
Sift and Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients while your mixer is on low speed. Mix until just combined—overmixing will make your brownies dense, and we’re all about that perfect fudgy texture here.
Fold in Extra Chocolate: This is the part where you really elevate the chocolatey goodness. Gently fold in the 1/2 cup of dark chocolate with a silicone spatula. This extra chocolate ensures each bite is filled with gooey, melty goodness.
Bake the Brownie Cake: Pour the brownie batter into your prepared mold or pan, smoothing out the top. Place it in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes on the middle rack. When you insert a toothpick, it should come out mostly clean, with a few crumbs stuck to it—that’s when you know they’re perfect!
Cool and Slice: Once your brownies are done baking, let them cool completely before removing them from the mold. After they’ve cooled to room temperature, cut them into 8 slices (or more if you prefer). Now, it’s time to decorate—get ready to make these babies sparkle!
Why You’ll Love It
These Christmas Brownie Pops are the perfect balance of festive fun and indulgent chocolate decadence. Here’s why you’ll be adding them to your holiday baking list year after year:
Rich, Fudgy Texture: The brownies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious with that perfect crinkly top we all love.
Fun to Decorate: Whether you’re piping on Swiss meringue buttercream, sprinkling holiday sprinkles, or adding candy canes, decorating these pops is a blast. They’re a perfect activity for you and your little helpers (or as an excuse to let your creativity shine!).
Customizable: You can mix and match your favorite holiday toppings, so each pop can be a unique masterpiece!
Holiday Cheer: These brownie pops scream holiday fun. They’re a great way to spread some Christmas joy to family, friends, and coworkers.
Troubleshooting Tips
Every baker’s gotta have a few tips up their sleeve! Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when making these brownie pops:
Brownies Too Fudgy?
If your brownies seem too underdone or too gooey when you slice into them, they might need a few more minutes of baking. Remember, every oven is different, so keep an eye on them. A toothpick should come out mostly clean, but with a few moist crumbs for that ideal fudgy texture.Too Dense or Hard?
Overmixing your batter can lead to dense brownies. Make sure to mix the dry ingredients just until combined. The less you mix, the fluffier and fudgier your brownies will be.Too Sweet?
If you find the sweetness to be a bit much, you can always dial back the sugar by 1/4 cup. These brownies are rich enough that you can reduce the sweetness without compromising the overall flavor.
Tools and Equipment
Here’s a quick list of tools and equipment that will make this process easier:
Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: For easy mixing of your wet ingredients and sugar. If you don’t have a mixer, a hand whisk will do the trick—just put in some muscle!
Silicone Mold or Springform Pan: A nonstick silicone mold is perfect for getting that brownie out without any mess.
Spatula: A good silicone spatula is perfect for folding in that extra chocolate and ensuring your batter is smooth and mixed well.
Sifter: For sifting your dry ingredients. This helps avoid lumps and ensures even distribution of the cocoa powder and flour.
Toothpicks or Cake Tester: To check if your brownies are done baking.
Piping Bags & Tips: For decorating with meringue buttercream and other fun toppings.
Pairing Suggestions
These Christmas Brownie Pops are delicious on their own, but they’re also great paired with some seasonal favorites:
Hot Chocolate: A classic! Top with marshmallows for the ultimate cozy combo.
Coffee or Espresso: The rich, deep flavors of coffee or espresso pair beautifully with the chocolatey goodness of the brownies.
Peppermint Tea: The minty flavor from peppermint tea is a great contrast to the richness of the brownies.
Christmas Punch or Mulled Wine: For a grown-up touch, serve with a festive holiday punch or mulled wine. The warm spices complement the chocolate perfectly!
Fun Holiday Trivia
Here’s some holiday baking trivia to share with your guests while you nibble on your brownie pops:
Did you know? Brownies were invented in the late 19th century in America. The first-known recipe appeared in a Chicago cookbook in 1896!
Christmas Trivia: The tradition of decorating Christmas trees with edible treats, including candy canes and cookies, dates back to the 16th century in Germany.
Chocolate Facts: Dark chocolate has been shown to have health benefits, including improving heart health—so technically, these brownie pops are good for you, right? 😉
These Christmas Brownie Pops are the perfect festive treat for this holiday season, and I promise they’ll be the hit of any celebration. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a family gathering, or just because (because who needs an excuse to eat brownies?), these treats will add a touch of magic to your holiday spread.
I hope you love making and sharing these as much as I do! Don’t forget to tag me @sashacakeschicago when you make them—I can’t wait to see your creative decorations! 🍫🎄
Ready to Take Your Baking to the Next Level?
If you loved making these Christmas Brownie Pops, there’s so much more waiting for you in my book, Baking Magic: Awaken Your Inner Pastry Chef. It’s packed with simple tricks, pro tips, and show-stopping recipes to help you create unforgettable treats with ease.
Grab your copy on Amazon here and awaken your inner pastry chef today! 🍰✨
Christmas Brownie Pops Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (130 g) granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup (135 g) dark brown sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (100 g) dark chocolate chips/chunks
- 1/4 cup (54 g) vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (75 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (50 g) dark chocolate (for folding in)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. Grease a 10-inch round silicone mold (or a springform pan) with nonstick spray to ensure your brownies come out without a hitch. Trust me, you’ll thank me later when you don’t have to wrestle with stuck-on brownies!
- Cream the Sugars and Eggs: In the bowl of your stand mixer (fitted with the paddle attachment), combine the granulated sugar and dark brown sugar with the eggs. Beat on high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and a little bit dreamy—this gives your brownies that perfect texture and richness.
- Melt the Butter and Chocolate: While the sugar and egg mixture is coming together, melt the unsalted butter in a heatproof bowl by microwaving it in 30-second intervals. Stir between each interval to avoid overheating. Once the butter is melted, add the dark chocolate chips and stir until completely smooth. This mixture will be the secret to your fudgy brownie texture—don’t skimp on it!
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Now, turn the speed of the mixer to low and slowly pour in the butter-chocolate mixture, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is fully incorporated, and your batter is as rich as your chocolate dreams.
- Sift and Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt. Add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients while your mixer is on low speed. Mix until just combined—overmixing will make your brownies dense, and we’re all about that perfect fudgy texture here.
- Fold in Extra Chocolate: This is the part where you really elevate the chocolatey goodness. Gently fold in the 1/2 cup of dark chocolate with a silicone spatula. This extra chocolate ensures each bite is filled with gooey, melty goodness.
- Bake the Brownie Cake: Pour the brownie batter into your prepared mold or pan, smoothing out the top. Place it in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes on the middle rack. When you insert a toothpick, it should come out mostly clean, with a few crumbs stuck to it—that’s when you know they’re perfect!
- Cool and Slice: Once your brownies are done baking, let them cool completely before removing them from the mold. After they’ve cooled to room temperature, cut them into 8 slices (or more if you prefer). Now, it’s time to decorate—get ready to make these babies sparkle!
