Get ready to spread some serious holiday cheer with the most adorable christmas reindeer brownie recipe! These festive treats are incredibly simple to make, even for beginner bakers. You’ll love decorating these cute little reindeer, making them a perfect activity for families. They are ideal for holiday parties, school events, or a cozy evening treat.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Reindeer Brownie Recipe
This christmas reindeer brownie recipe is a true holiday winner for many reasons.
- Super Quick and Easy: Start with a boxed mix for speed and simplicity.
- Involves Kids in Decorating: Little hands will love turning brownies into reindeer.
- Creates Adorable Festive Treats: These brownies are guaranteed to bring smiles.
- Uses Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You likely have most items already.
- Perfect for Holiday Gatherings: They are a charming addition to any party table.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for this fun and festive christmas reindeer brownie recipe. This simple list makes holiday baking a breeze.
For the Brownies:
- 1 standard box Brownie Mix: Your favorite brand works perfectly.
- Ingredients as per box directions: Typically eggs, oil, and water.
For Decorating:
- Mini pretzel twists: About 1 cup, broken in half for antlers.
- Red M&M’s: Or similar small red candy for the nose.
- White M&M’s: For the eyes.
- Chocolate chips: About 1/2 cup, for melting and “gluing” decorations.
Optional:
- Edible candy eyes: Store-bought, if preferred for speed.
- Chocolate frosting: Use instead of melted chocolate as an adhesive.
Notes & Substitutions
You have flexibility with this easy christmas reindeer brownie recipe. Feel free to customize it to your liking! For the brownie base, you can use a homemade recipe from scratch if you prefer. However, a store-bought mix keeps things super quick and beginner-friendly. If you do not have white M&M’s for eyes, simply use pre-made edible candy eyes. For the red nose, small red Sixlets or even a dot of red icing can substitute for red M&M’s. Mini pretzels are classic for antlers, but you could also use pieces of candy cane or even small chocolate-covered pretzels. Melted chocolate works wonderfully as the “glue” for decorations, but store-bought chocolate frosting is also an excellent, easy option.
Equipment
You won’t need many special tools for this delightful christmas reindeer brownie recipe. Gather these kitchen essentials before you begin.
- 9×13 inch baking pan: For baking your brownies.
- Mixing bowls: To prepare the brownie batter.
- Whisk or spoon: For mixing ingredients thoroughly.
- Sharp knife: To cut cooled brownies into shapes.
- Microwave-safe bowl: For melting chocolate chips.
- Small spoon or toothpick: For applying melted chocolate and detailing eyes.
- Wire cooling rack: Essential for cooling brownies completely.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to bring your adorable christmas reindeer brownie recipe to life. Take your time, especially with the decorating!
1. Prepare and Bake Brownies:
First, preheat your oven to the temperature specified on your brownie mix box. Next, lightly grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This prevents sticking and ensures your brownies release cleanly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the brownie batter ingredients exactly as instructed on your chosen brownie mix package. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing. Pour the prepared batter evenly into your greased baking pan. Bake the brownies according to the time and temperature suggested on the package directions. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire cooling rack. Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before attempting to cut them. This step is crucial for clean cuts and easy decorating.
2. Prepare Decorations:
While your brownies are cooling, you can get your decorations ready. Place about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate chips in 15-20 second intervals, stirring well after each, until they are smooth and fully melted. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate. Separate your red M&M’s for the noses and white M&M’s for the eyes from the rest of your candy stash. For extra detail on the white M&M’s eyes, dip the tip of a toothpick into the melted chocolate and gently dot a small “pupil” onto the center of each white M&M. This step truly brings your reindeer to life!
3. Cut Brownies:
Once your brownies are completely cool, gently remove them from the baking pan. Place the cooled brownie slab onto a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the brownies into rectangular shapes. Aim for uniform sizes so your reindeer look consistent. A good size is about 2×3 inches, but you can adjust based on your preference. Lay the cut brownies out on a clean surface, ready for decoration.
4. Assemble Reindeer:
Now for the fun part of this easy christmas reindeer brownie recipe! Begin by taking a small amount of melted chocolate on a toothpick or a small spoon. Apply two small dots where the eyes will go on each brownie rectangle. Immediately place two white M&M’s onto these chocolate dots for the eyes. Next, apply another small dot of melted chocolate slightly below the eyes for the nose. Press one red M&M onto this spot firmly. Finally, gently break mini pretzel twists in half to create the “antlers.” Apply a small amount of melted chocolate to the broken end of two pretzel halves. Carefully press these into the top corners of the brownie, above the eyes, to form the antlers. Allow the melted chocolate to set completely before moving or serving the brownies. You can place them in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to speed up setting time.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Ensure your christmas reindeer brownie recipe turns out perfectly every time with these helpful tips and tricks.
Achieving Perfect Brownies:
Avoid overmixing your brownie batter; mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough brownies. Do not overbake the brownies either; a slightly underbaked brownie is usually more fudgy and delicious. Always ensure your brownies are fully cooled before you attempt to cut or decorate them, otherwise they may crumble.
The science behind baking reveals that overmixing brownie batter can develop too much gluten, resulting in a dense, tough texture rather than the desired fudginess.
Decorating Success:
When applying melted chocolate as an adhesive, use only a small amount. Too much can make your decorations slide. For quicker setting, place the decorated brownies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. If you have them, tweezers can be a fantastic tool for precise placement of the small candies, especially the eyes.
Common Mistakes:
If your pretzel antlers keep falling off, you might not be using enough melted chocolate to adhere them, or the chocolate isn’t setting properly. Try adding a little more melted chocolate to create a stronger bond. If your melted chocolate seems too thick to work with, add a tiny drop of neutral oil, like vegetable or canola oil, and stir it in. This will thin it slightly without affecting flavor.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile christmas reindeer brownie recipe offers many options for enjoying your festive treats.
Serving Suggestions:
Arrange your finished reindeer brownies beautifully on a festive holiday platter to showcase their charm. Serve them alongside a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of hot chocolate for a cozy treat. These adorable brownies also make fantastic edible gifts or delightful additions to school holiday parties and potlucks.
Storage Instructions:
Store your decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can bake and freeze undecorated brownie rectangles. Thaw them at room temperature, then decorate just before serving.
For optimal freshness, proper storage of brownies in an airtight container at room temperature is recommended, typically keeping them fresh for up to 4 days.
Variations:
Experiment with different brownie flavors as your base, such as mint chocolate or peanut butter swirl brownies. Instead of melted chocolate, use a festive cream cheese frosting or green buttercream as a base for your decorations. Add edible glitter or festive sprinkles to make your reindeer sparkle even more. For alternative antlers, consider using mini candy canes, broken in half, for a peppermint twist.
Nutrition Information
Please note that the nutrition information provided below is an estimate. It can vary significantly based on the specific brand of brownie mix used and the exact type and quantity of decorations. This information is intended as a general guide.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250-300 |
| Total Fat | 12-15g |
| Saturated Fat | 5-7g |
| Cholesterol | 20-30mg |
| Sodium | 150-200mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30-40g |
| Sugars | 25-35g |
| Protein | 2-4g |
We recommend checking the nutrition label on your specific brownie mix for the most accurate information. The added candies and pretzels will increase the sugar and fat content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions about making this fun christmas reindeer brownie recipe.
- Can I use homemade brownies? Absolutely! A homemade brownie recipe works perfectly as the base for these reindeer, just ensure they are fully cooled.
- How far in advance can I make these? You can bake the brownies up to 3-4 days in advance and store them undecorated. Decorate them a day or two before serving for the freshest look.
- What if I don’t have mini pretzels? You can use small pieces of chocolate-covered pretzels, mini candy canes, or even pipe antlers with frosting.
- Can children help with this recipe? Yes, this is an ideal kid-friendly recipe! Children can easily help with mixing the batter and, especially, with the fun decorating part.
- How many reindeer brownies does this yield? A standard 9×13 inch pan typically yields 12-16 reindeer brownies, depending on how large you cut them.
Conclusion
This delightful christmas reindeer brownie recipe makes holiday baking incredibly simple and fun. You’ll love creating these adorable, edible reindeer that are perfect for any festive occasion. Get your family involved in the decorating and share your charming creations with friends and loved ones. Make these adorable reindeer brownies a joyful tradition in your home this holiday season!
