The holiday season is filled with so much joy, laughter, and let’s be honest, a little bit of chaos. When you are planning a party, the last thing you need is a complicated dessert. You want something simple, fun, and delicious.
Well, you have come to the right place. These adorable reindeer brownies are one of my favorite Easy Christmas Party Desserts to make. They start with a basic box of brownie mix and turn into a treat that will have everyone smiling. They are so simple and so good.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the simplicity is a huge win. There is no need for fancy baking skills or special equipment. If you can follow the directions on a box, you can make these brownies. It’s a great recipe for beginners or when you are short on time.
These are also incredibly fun to make, especially with kids. Their little hands are great for placing the pretzel antlers and candy noses. It becomes a fun family activity and a sweet memory all in one. Creating Fun Christmas Desserts is what the season is all about.
Plus, they look amazing on a dessert table. They have a huge visual appeal without a huge amount of effort. Your guests will think you spent hours creating these cute little reindeer. They are perfect Christmas Party Desserts For A Crowd because you can easily make a large batch.
Honestly, these brownies check all the boxes. They are tasty, cute, and so easy to prepare. They are the definition of smart, simple Holiday Party Desserts.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for these Easy Christmas Party Desserts is wonderfully short. You just need a few things to bring these reindeer to life.
- 1 Box Brownie Mix (any brand you love will work)
- Ingredients listed on the brownie mix box (usually oil, eggs, and water)
- 1 bag of Mini Pretzels
- 1 bag of Holiday Mint M&M’s (the red, white, and green ones are festive)
- 1/2 cup of melted chocolate or chocolate frosting
Step By Step Instructions
Let’s walk through how to make these. It is genuinely so simple. You are just a few steps away from having the most popular treat at the party.
Step 1: Bake The Brownies
First things first, you need to bake your brownies. Prepare the brownie mix exactly as the package directs. This usually involves mixing the powder with eggs, oil, and water. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan.
Bake them according to the package time. Once a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, they are done. The most important part of this step is letting them cool completely. Seriously, do not rush this. Cool brownies are much easier to cut.
Step 2: Cut The Brownies
Once your brownies are totally cool, it is time to cut them. If you lined your pan with parchment paper, you can lift the whole slab out. This makes cutting so much easier. Cut them into small rectangles. I usually get about 12 to 16 rectangles from one pan.
A plastic knife can help you get clean cuts without the brownies sticking. It is a neat little trick that works wonders for these kinds of Holiday Party Desserts.
Step 3: Decorate Your Reindeer
Now for the really fun part. It is time to decorate. You will need your melted chocolate or frosting to act as the glue. You can melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between.
Take a brownie rectangle. Use a small dab of melted chocolate to attach two mini pretzels to the top corners for antlers. You might need to break some pretzels in half to get the perfect antler shape. It adds to their charm.
Next, add a dab of chocolate in the middle for the nose and press on a red or green M&M. If you want to add eyes, you can use candy eyeballs or even small dots of white frosting with a mini chocolate chip. This is what makes them such Fun Christmas Desserts.
Step 4: Let Them Set
After all your reindeer are decorated, you need to give the chocolate a few minutes to set. This will make sure the antlers and noses do not slide off. You can leave them on the counter for about 15 minutes.
If you are in a hurry, you can place them in the refrigerator for about 5 to 10 minutes. This will speed up the process. Once they are set, your Easy Christmas Party Desserts are ready to serve.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is easy. Place the brownies in a single layer in an airtight container. They will stay fresh at room temperature for up to three days. The pretzels might soften a little over time, but they will still be delicious.
You can also store them in the refrigerator if you prefer. This might make the brownies a little firmer, but some people enjoy that. They will last for about five days in the fridge.
Tips
Want to make your reindeer brownie experience even better? Here are a few of my favorite tips for making these Easy Christmas Party Desserts.
Always use parchment paper in your baking pan. Leave some hanging over the sides like handles. This lets you lift the entire slab of brownies out easily for clean cutting. No more digging them out of the pan.
For the fudgiest brownies, be careful not to overbake them. A slightly underbaked brownie is much better than a dry one. The texture is perfect for this recipe.
Feel free to get creative with the decorations. You do not have to stick to just M&M’s. Any small, round candy will work for the nose. You could also use different kinds of pretzels for the antlers.
To get perfectly clean cuts, chill the brownies in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before slicing. It makes a huge difference. Also, wiping your knife clean between each cut helps prevent a crumbly mess.
You can prepare these ahead of time. Bake and cut the brownies a day before your party. Store them in an airtight container. Then, decorate them a few hours before your guests arrive. This is a great strategy for making Christmas Party Desserts For A Crowd.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A simple, charming, and absolutely delicious recipe that is perfect for any holiday gathering. These reindeer brownies prove that you do not need to spend all day in the kitchen to make something special.
They are the kind of treat that brings a little extra joy to the table. I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful time making and eating these. They are truly one of the best Easy Christmas Party Desserts you can find. Happy holidays and happy baking!
FAQ
Can I Use A Homemade Brownie Recipe?
Of course. If you have a favorite homemade brownie recipe, feel free to use it. A fudgy brownie recipe works best as it holds together well. A cake like brownie might be too crumbly for cutting into rectangles and decorating.
What If I Can’t Find Holiday M&M’s?
No problem at all. You can use regular M&M’s and just pick out the red and brown ones. You could also use other small candies like Skittles for a colorful nose, or even a dot of red frosting. Get creative with what you have.
Are These Gluten Free?
They can easily be made gluten free. Simply use your favorite gluten free brownie mix and purchase gluten free pretzels. Most major brands offer these options now, so they should be easy to find in your local grocery store.
How Far In Advance Can I Make These?
These are great for making ahead of time. You can bake, cool, and cut the brownies up to two days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. I recommend decorating them on the day of the party so the pretzels stay as crunchy as possible.
Reindeer Brownies
A simple, fun, and delicious holiday treat, these adorable Reindeer Brownies start with a basic box of brownie mix and transform into a festive dessert that will have everyone smiling. Perfect for any Christmas party.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First things first, you need to bake your brownies. Prepare the brownie mix exactly as the package directs. This usually involves mixing the powder with eggs, oil, and water. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake them according to the package time. Once a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, they are done. The most important part of this step is letting them cool completely. Seriously, do not rush this. Cool brownies are much easier to cut.
- Once your brownies are totally cool, it is time to cut them. If you lined your pan with parchment paper, you can lift the whole slab out. This makes cutting so much easier. Cut them into small rectangles. I usually get about 12 to 16 rectangles from one pan. A plastic knife can help you get clean cuts without the brownies sticking. It is a neat little trick that works wonders for these kinds of Holiday Party Desserts.
- Now for the really fun part. It is time to decorate. You will need your melted chocolate or frosting to act as the glue. You can melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between. Take a brownie rectangle. Use a small dab of melted chocolate to attach two mini pretzels to the top corners for antlers. You might need to break some pretzels in half to get the perfect antler shape. It adds to their charm. Next, add a dab of chocolate in the middle for the nose and press on a red or green M&M. If you want to add eyes, you can use candy eyeballs or even small dots of white frosting with a mini chocolate chip. This is what makes them such Fun Christmas Desserts.
- After all your reindeer are decorated, you need to give the chocolate a few minutes to set. This will make sure the antlers and noses do not slide off. You can leave them on the counter for about 15 minutes. If you are in a hurry, you can place them in the refrigerator for about 5 to 10 minutes. This will speed up the process. Once they are set, your Easy Christmas Party Desserts are ready to serve.
Notes
Always use parchment paper in your baking pan. Leave some hanging over the sides like handles. This lets you lift the entire slab of brownies out easily for clean cutting. No more digging them out of the pan.
For the fudgiest brownies, be careful not to overbake them. A slightly underbaked brownie is much better than a dry one. The texture is perfect for this recipe.
Feel free to get creative with the decorations. You do not have to stick to just M&M’s. Any small, round candy will work for the nose. You could also use different kinds of pretzels for the antlers.
To get perfectly clean cuts, chill the brownies in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before slicing. It makes a huge difference. Also, wiping your knife clean between each cut helps prevent a crumbly mess.
You can prepare these ahead of time. Bake and cut the brownies a day before your party. Store them in an airtight container. Then, decorate them a few hours before your guests arrive. This is a great strategy for making Christmas Party Desserts For A Crowd.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
