Fudgy Reindeer Brownies Recipe: Holiday Magic in Every Bite

Chocolate lovers adore these festive reindeer brownies that bring whimsy to holiday dessert tables.

Rich, decadent brownies become magical with playful decorations that spark joy and childhood memories.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of sweet chocolate and creative design.

Adorable reindeer faces peek out, crafted with simple candies and frosting.

Kids and adults alike will smile at these charming treats that combine deliciousness with adorable holiday cheer.

The recipe transforms ordinary brownies into delightful seasonal characters that everyone will love.

You’ll want to make these for every winter gathering and celebration.

Tips for Decorating Reindeer Brownies

• Let brownies cool entirely before cutting to ensure clean, crisp heart shapes without falling apart.
• Use high-quality chocolate chips for smooth, glossy melting and richer flavor coating.
• Break pretzels carefully to create symmetrical antler shapes that attach securely to brownie hearts.
• Gently press candy eyes slightly into melted chocolate to ensure they stick firmly to the reindeer face.
• Allow brownies to reach room temperature before decorating to prevent chocolate from cooling too quickly.

Reindeer Brownie Creative Twists

• Gluten-Free Reindeer Brownies: Use gluten-free brownie mix and gluten-free pretzels for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Reindeer Brownies: Substitute box mix with vegan brownie recipe, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and plant-based candy alternatives.
• Low-Sugar Reindeer Brownies: Replace regular brownie mix with sugar-free mix, use sugar-free chocolate chips, and opt for sugar-free candies.
• Nut-Free Reindeer Brownies: Choose nut-free brownie mix, swap pretzel antlers with white chocolate-dipped wafer sticks for safe school treats.

Serving Up Reindeer Brownies for Festivities

• Festive Holiday Plate: Arrange brownies on a red or green platter with sprinkled powdered sugar for a magical winter presentation.
• Kids' Dessert Party: Create a cute reindeer brownie station where children can add their own decorative touches like different colored candies or sprinkles.
• Sweet Gift Packaging: Wrap individual reindeer brownies in clear cellophane with festive ribbons, perfect for holiday gatherings or classroom treats.
• Cocoa Pairing Delight: Serve these adorable brownies alongside warm hot chocolate for a cozy, nostalgic winter dessert experience.

Keeping Reindeer Brownies Fresh and Soft

• Store brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each brownie individually in plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent them from drying out.
• Place brownies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving.
• Warm a single brownie for 10-15 seconds on medium power. Check temperature and heat in short intervals to prevent overcooking.
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Wrap brownies in aluminum foil and warm for 5-7 minutes, ensuring they don't become too dry or crispy.

FAQs

• What type of pretzels work best for the antlers?

Small pretzel twists or pretzel sticks are perfect for creating reindeer antlers. They provide the right shape and size to attach easily to the brownies.

• Can I use homemade brownies instead of boxed mix?

Absolutely! Homemade brownies work great. Just ensure they’re cooled completely and firm enough to cut with a cookie cutter without crumbling.

• Where can I find candy eyes for decorating?

Candy eyes are available in most craft stores, baking supply shops, and online retailers like Amazon. They’re typically sold in the cake decorating section of grocery stores.

• How do I prevent the chocolate from burning when melting?

Use a double boiler or microwave in short 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval. This helps melt the chocolate smoothly and prevents scorching.

Reindeer Brownies Reasons to Make Them Fun

• Perfect beginner-friendly recipe that requires minimal baking skills and basic kitchen tools.
• Delightful holiday dessert that transforms simple brownies into adorable reindeer characters in just a few simple steps.
• Engaging activity for children to help decorate, making it a perfect family bonding experience during Christmas season.
• Cute and whimsical dessert that will charm both kids and adults with its playful reindeer appearance and delicious chocolate base.

Reindeer Brownie Ingredient List

• Brownie Mix: A convenient base for creating the reindeer shape and foundation of the dessert.
• Chocolate Chips: Essential for melting and creating a smooth coating for the brownies.

• Pretzels: Serve as antlers to give the brownies their reindeer character.
• Candy Eyes: Small decorative elements that create the reindeer's playful facial expression.
• Red M&M: Represents the classic Rudolph-style bright red nose.

• Eggs, Oil, Water: Standard ingredients typically required to prepare boxed brownie mix according to package instructions.

What You Need for Reindeer Brownie Baking

• 9×13 inch Baking Pan: Essential for baking perfect brownies.
• Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter: Creates adorable reindeer shapes.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Ideal for melting chocolate chips smoothly.
• Baking Sheet: Provides space for decorating brownies.
• Spatula: Helps spread melted chocolate and position decorations.
• Cooling Rack: Ensures brownies cool evenly and quickly.

Simple Steps for Reindeer Brownie Success

Step 1: Bake Delectable Brownie Base

Grab your favorite brownie mix and follow the package instructions.

Pour the batter into a greased baking pan, spreading it evenly.

Slide the pan into a preheated oven and bake until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 2: Let Brownies Chill Out

Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.

Patience is key here – letting them cool ensures clean cuts and prevents crumbling.

Step 3: Create Adorable Heart Shapes

Once cooled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to transform your brownie sheet into cute reindeer-ready hearts.

Carefully press the cutter and lift each heart, placing them on a clean surface.

Step 4: Melt Chocolate Magic

Grab some chocolate chips and melt them in a microwave-safe bowl.

Heat in short bursts, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 5: Craft Rustic Antlers

Take some pretzels and carefully attach them to the top of each brownie heart.

The pretzel twists create perfect, natural-looking antler shapes that will make your reindeer brownies pop.

Step 6: Add Playful Facial Features

Bring your reindeer to life by adding candy eyes and a bright red M&M for the nose.

Dab a bit of melted chocolate as glue to secure these adorable details in place.

Reindeer Brownies Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Chocolate reindeer brownies bring festive cheer to holiday dessert tables. Rich brownie base with playful antler and nose decorations create adorable seasonal treats you can easily craft with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box fudge brownie mix
• 1/2 cup (118 ml) chocolate chips

Decorative Ingredients:

• 32 pretzel twists
• 32 candy eyes
• 16 red M&Ms

Additional Ingredients (as per box mix requirements):

• Box mix required ingredients (typically eggs, water, oil)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare brownie mix according to package instructions in a rectangular baking pan.
2. Allow brownies to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 30-45 minutes.
3. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, carefully cut out heart shapes from the cooled brownie sheet.
4. Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until smooth and fully liquefied.
5. Gently break pretzel sticks into angled pieces to create antler shapes for each brownie heart.
6. Attach pretzel antler pieces to the top of each brownie heart using melted chocolate as adhesive.
7. Place candy eyes on the front of each brownie to create a reindeer face.
8. Position a single red candy at the center bottom to represent the reindeer’s nose.
9. Allow decorated brownies to set at room temperature until chocolate hardens, approximately 10-15 minutes.

Notes

• Opt for dark chocolate chips for a richer, more intense brownie flavor that complements the festive design.
• Use heart-shaped cookie cutters of different sizes to create variety and playful reindeer shapes.
• Ensure brownies are completely cool before cutting to prevent crumbling and maintain clean heart edges.
• Swap red M&Ms with edible googly eyes or colored candies for allergy-friendly or personalized decorating options.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Nordic

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 20mg