These Fudgy Christmas Rudolph Brownies are homemade brownies decorated with pretzel antlers and a bright red M&M nose. They’re a Christmas treat that works for classroom parties, holiday cookie swaps, bake sales, and Christmas party desserts.
I love that this recipe uses pantry staples, and decorating them is something the whole family can get in on. My kids get so excited to “build Rudolph,” especially when it comes to adding the pretzel antlers and that bright red M&M nose.
You may also want to try my Snowman Truffle Brownies and Christmas Tree Cookies.
How to Make Christmas Rudolph Brownies
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Start by preheating your oven to 160°C (325°F). While it’s warming up, line your 8×8 baking tray with parchment paper to make it easier to lift out the brownies later.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and water.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, regular sugar, and chocolate chips. Mixing these dry ingredients separately ensures a smooth, lump-free batter.
4. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula. Don’t worry if the batter feels thick—it’s supposed to be!
5. Pour your thick brownie batter into the prepared baking tray and pop it in the oven. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, but do the classic toothpick test before taking them out. If the toothpick comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, they’re ready!
6. Once baked, let the brownies cool for 15 to 30 minutes.
7. Once your brownies are completely cooled and sliced. Use the red M&M’s for noses, pretzels for antlers, and candy eyes to decorate Rudolph.
Serve and Enjoy!
Copy this:
Square baking pan for bars and brownies
Parchment paper for easy release
Important Recipe Notes
- Make sure your brownies are completely cooled before decorating, or the candy eyes and M&M noses may melt or slide off.
- Cut the brownies into even squares before adding the decorations to make assembling easier.
- If you want the pretzel antlers to stay secure, gently press them into the brownie right after cutting.
- Store the decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days. If refrigerating, let them come to room temperature before serving.
- For a shortcut, you can use a boxed brownie mix—just bake and decorate!
Christmas Rudolph Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (110 g) vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (50 g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- ¾ cup (96 g) flour
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
- 1 cup (170 g) chocolate chips
- Red M&M’s (for Rudolph’s nose)
- Pretzels (for those cute antlers)
- Candy eyes (to bring Rudolph to life)
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 160°C (325°F). While it’s warming up, line your 8×8 baking tray with parchment paper to make it easier to lift out the brownies later.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and water.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, regular sugar, and chocolate chips.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula. Don’t worry if the batter feels thick—it’s supposed to be!
- Pour your thick brownie batter into the prepared baking tray and pop it in the oven. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, but do the classic toothpick test before taking them out. If the toothpick comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, they’re ready!
- Once baked, let the brownies cool for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Once your brownies are completely cooled and sliced, use the red M&M’s for noses, pretzels for antlers, and candy eyes to decorate Rudolph.