There is something about a bite sized holiday treat that just hits differently than a full sized dessert and these mini Christmas brownie bites are exactly what I reach for when I want something festive, adorable, and completely effortless to pull together during the busiest month of the year. Rich fudgy brownie base, a swirl of vanilla cream cheese frosting, and festive mini M&Ms on top. Every single one looks like a little holiday gift and they disappear from every plate I put them on faster than anything else I make this time of year.
The brownie base is box mix and I am not even slightly sorry about it. Ghirardelli Double Chocolate is my personal favorite and the batter goes straight into a piping bag so you can pipe it cleanly into a mini muffin tin without any mess. Ten minutes in the oven, let them cool, pop them out onto a wire rack, and you have the most perfectly portioned little brownie bites that are dense and fudgy in the center and slightly crisp around the edges. If the wheel ain’t broke then don’t fix it!
The cream cheese frosting is the detail that takes these from cute to completely irresistible. Butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla whipped together into the smoothest, creamiest frosting that pipes beautifully into a swirl on top of each brownie. It is tangy, it is sweet, and it is the perfect contrast to that rich chocolate brownie underneath. Transfer it to a piping bag, pipe a generous swirl on each one, and then press a few festive mini M&Ms right on top for that holiday color that makes them look like they came from a bakery display case.
These Christmas brownie bites are the recipe for cookie boxes, holiday parties, classroom treats, neighbor gifts, or any moment during December when you need something festive that comes together in under thirty minutes. They are kid friendly, crowd approved, and the kind of treat that makes people think you put in way more effort than you actually did. Make a double batch because one is never enough.
Christmas Brownie Bites
Ingredients
- 1 box Brownie Mix Ghriardelli Double Chocolate is my favorite!
- ingredients on the back of the box vegetable oil, water, egg
- Mini Christmas M&Ms
For the Frosting:
- ¼ cup softened butter
- 1 ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325℉ and spray a mini muffin tin.
- Make Brownie batter according to box.
- Transfer batter to a piping bag and pipe into mini muffin tin.
- Bake for 10 min and cool.
- Remove each brownie from the tin to a wire rack.
- In a medium bowl with a hand mixer, beat softened butter for a few seconds.
- Add vanilla and powdered sugar (in intervals) until combined.
- Add cream cheese and whip until creamy and smooth.
- Transfer to a piping bag and pipe swirls of frosting on top of each brownie.
- Top with mini m&ms and enjoy!
Comments +