There’s just something magical about making festive desserts during the holiday season, isn’t there? The smell of chocolate filling the kitchen, the excitement of sharing sweet treats with loved ones—it’s pure joy! That’s why I absolutely adore these *christmas brownies*. They’re not just any brownies; they’re rich, fudgy, and irresistibly decadent, making them the perfect addition to your holiday spread. I remember the first time I made them for a family gathering, and everyone couldn’t stop raving about how delicious they were! Plus, they’re super easy to whip up, so even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen, you’ll feel like a pro. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe in your holiday rotation for years to come!
Ingredients List
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
How to Prepare Instructions
Making these *christmas brownies* is as delightful as eating them! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be on your way to creating a chocolatey masterpiece in no time.
Preheat the Oven
First things first, you need to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Preheating is key because it helps your brownies cook evenly. So, while you’re mixing, your oven will be getting nice and toasty, ready to transform that batter into gooey goodness!
Prepare the Baking Pan
Next, grab a 9×13 inch baking pan and grease it well with a little butter or non-stick spray. This step is super important to ensure your brownies come out easily without sticking. If you want to be extra sure, you can line the bottom with parchment paper too—just a little extra insurance for perfect brownies!
Melt the Butter
Now, let’s melt that butter! In a saucepan over low heat, melt your butter gently. Make sure you don’t overheat it; we want it just melted, not bubbling or separating. This will keep your brownies perfectly fudgy!
Mixing Ingredients
Once your butter’s melted, remove it from the heat and stir in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix it all together until it’s smooth and glossy. After that, sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt, and mix until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix—let those lumps be!
Adding Chocolate Chips
Now for the best part: fold in your chocolate chips! Use a spatula to gently mix them in without overworking the batter. This way, you’ll have those delicious pockets of melted chocolate in every bite!
Baking the Brownies
Pour your brownie batter into the prepared pan, spreading it out evenly. Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges look set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. That’s the sweet spot!
Cooling and Cutting
Once baked, take them out and let them cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. This will make cutting them easier. When they’ve cooled a bit, transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool completely before cutting into squares. This way, you’ll get those perfect, clean edges! Enjoy your brownies—trust me, they’ll disappear fast!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, chocolatey flavor that satisfies every sweet tooth.
- Easy preparation with simple ingredients—perfect for bakers of all levels!
- Fudgy texture that melts in your mouth, making every bite a delight.
- Ideal for holiday gatherings; they’re always a hit with family and friends.
- Quick to make, taking only about 45 minutes from start to finish.
- Fun to customize with nuts, drizzles, or festive toppings for extra flair.
- These brownies can be made ahead of time, saving you stress during the busy holiday season.
- Perfect for gifting—wrap them up and share the joy with loved ones!
Tips for Success
To make sure your *christmas brownies* turn out perfectly every time, here are some of my top tips that I’ve learned through plenty of baking adventures:
- Use quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better your brownies will taste! I always opt for high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate chips for that rich, decadent flavor.
- Don’t overmix: When you’re combining the dry ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. This helps keep your brownies fudgy and not cakey. Trust me, a few lumps are totally fine!
- Check for doneness: Ovens can vary, so start checking your brownies around the 25-minute mark. You want them to be set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. They’ll continue to cook as they cool!
- Let them cool: Patience is key! Allow your brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting. This helps them firm up and makes for neater squares.
- Storage matters: Keep your brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, they freeze beautifully! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in the freezer.
- Add a little extra love: Feel free to customize! Whether it’s sprinkling some sea salt on top before baking or adding a swirl of peanut butter or caramel, these little touches make them even more special.
With these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be a *christmas brownie* master in no time! Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for each serving of these delicious *christmas brownies*. Remember, these values are approximate, but they’ll give you a good idea of what you’re indulging in:
- Calories: 250
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 35g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 20g
- Protein: 3g
These brownies are a decadent treat, so enjoy them in moderation as part of your festive celebrations! Happy indulging!
FAQ Section
Can I use a different type of chocolate?
Absolutely! If you want to mix things up, you can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. Just keep in mind that each type will give your brownies a slightly different flavor profile. Dark chocolate will make them richer, while milk chocolate will add a sweeter touch. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite combination!
How do I store leftovers?
To keep your *christmas brownies* fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, they freeze beautifully! Just wrap each brownie tightly in plastic wrap or foil, and pop them in the freezer. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature. No reheating necessary—just enjoy them as they are!
Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
Yes, you can totally make these brownies ahead of time! They’re perfect for prepping a day or two before your holiday gatherings. Just bake them, let them cool completely, and store them as mentioned above. You can even freeze them in advance, so all you have to do is thaw and serve! They’re just as delicious when made ahead, and it’ll save you time on the big day!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your *christmas brownies* fresh and fudgy, storing them properly is key! Once they’ve cooled completely, place them in an airtight container. This will protect them from drying out and keep that delicious texture intact. You can store them at room temperature for up to a week, but if you want to keep them longer, they freeze beautifully!
For freezing, wrap each brownie individually in plastic wrap or foil and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months! When you’re ready to enjoy, simply take them out and let them thaw in the fridge or at room temperature. No need for reheating—just enjoy them as they are, and they’ll taste just as delightful!
If you prefer them warm, you can pop a brownie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This will give you that warm, gooey center that’s oh-so-satisfying. Just be careful not to overheat them, or they might dry out. Enjoy your *christmas brownies* any way you like—fresh or warmed up, they’re sure to bring joy to your holiday season!
Z nadrukami
Christmas Brownie Bliss: 7 Steps to Pure Joy
- Całkowity Czas: 45 minutes
- Ustępować: 24 servings 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Delicious and rich chocolate brownies perfect for Christmas.
Składniki
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
- Mix in flour, cocoa, and salt until well combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Let cool before cutting into squares.
Uwagi
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Serve with ice cream for a special treat.
- Add nuts for extra crunch if desired.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 30 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 square
- Kalorie: 250
- Cukier: 20g
- Sód: 150mg
- Kwasy: 12g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 7g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 4g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 35g
- Włókno: 2g
- Białko: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Słowa kluczowe: christmas brownie, chocolate brownie, holiday dessert
