Christmas Brownie Bites

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.

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A post shared by Nicole Warren | Faith, Food & Motherhood (@nicole_thenomad)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Box brownie mix piped into a mini muffin tin and baked for ten minutes is the entire brownie base and the result is so fudgy and perfect that there is absolutely no reason to make it from scratch when this works this well
• Every single one looks like a little holiday gift on a plate and they disappear faster than anything else you will put out at a December gathering without exception
• Under thirty minutes from start to finish including the frosting and the decorating which makes this the holiday treat you can pull together on any day of December regardless of how busy the schedule is
• These work for absolutely every December occasion from cookie boxes to classroom treats to neighbor gifts to holiday parties and they always make the recipient feel genuinely thought of

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Key Ingredients:

• Ghirardelli Double Chocolate brownie mix: The box mix that is genuinely the best option here and the one used because it produces the richest, fudgiest, most deeply chocolatey brownie bites of any box mix on the market. Transferred to a piping bag after mixing so it goes into each mini muffin cavity cleanly without any mess or uneven filling
• Mini muffin tin: The tool that turns a standard brownie batter into perfectly portioned individual bites that are crisp around the edges and fudgy in the center and pop out cleanly after cooling. Spray generously before filling so every single one releases without sticking
• Softened cream cheese: Four ounces beaten into the frosting after the butter and powdered sugar are combined gives the frosting that signature tang that contrasts so perfectly with the sweet chocolate brownie underneath. Room temperature is essential for a smooth lump-free frosting
• Softened butter: A quarter cup whipped first before anything else goes in creates the light creamy base that makes this frosting pipe so beautifully into those perfect swirls on top of each brownie
• Mini Christmas M&Ms: The festive finishing touch that makes these look completely holiday-specific and adds a satisfying little crunch of candy shell and chocolate in every bite. Press them gently into the frosting right after piping so they adhere and stay in place

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Tips for Success:

• Transfer the brownie batter to a piping bag or zip lock bag with the corner snipped before filling the mini muffin tin. Piping gives you much more control than spooning and keeps the cavities clean and evenly filled without batter spilling onto the top of the tin
• Fill each cavity about three quarters full and not more. The batter rises slightly during baking and overfilled cavities will overflow onto the top of the tin which makes removal messy and the bites uneven
• Let the brownie bites cool completely before frosting. Even slightly warm bites will melt the cream cheese frosting immediately and it will slide right off rather than holding those beautiful swirl peaks
• Make sure both the butter and cream cheese are fully softened to room temperature before beating. Cold cream cheese creates lumpy frosting no matter how long you beat it and lumpy frosting does not pipe cleanly

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Storage:

Store Christmas brownie bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days because of the cream cheese frosting. Let them sit at room temperature for about fifteen minutes before serving if you prefer a softer frosting and slightly less cold brownie. They can also be frozen unfrosted for up to two months. Freeze the brownie bites in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag and frost after thawing at room temperature for the best result.

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FAQ:

Can I use a different brownie mix?
Yes. Any fudgy box brownie mix works here and the method is identical regardless of brand. Ghirardelli Double Chocolate is the recommended choice because it consistently produces the richest and fudgiest result in the mini muffin format but any mix labeled fudgy or double chocolate will work beautifully. Avoid cake-style brownie mixes that bake up too cakey and dry for this application.

Do I need a piping bag for the frosting?
A piping bag with a star tip gives you those beautiful bakery-style swirls that make these look so impressive but it is not required. A zip lock bag with the corner snipped about half an inch gives you a rustic swirl that looks charming and festive. You can also just use a spoon to dollop the frosting on and smooth it with the back of the spoon for a more casual look that is equally delicious.

Can I make these ahead of time for a party?
Yes and they are actually ideal for making ahead. Bake the brownie bites and store unfrosted in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Make the frosting and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Frost and decorate the day of your gathering so the frosting is freshly piped and the M&Ms are bright and colorful when guests see them.