Reindeer Christmas Brownies

This post may contain affiliate links.  For more information, read my disclosure policy here  

These adorable Reindeer Christmas Brownies are perfect for the holiday season. Easy to make and kid friendly, your family will love decorating them together. With their red Rudolph noses, pretzel antlers, and candy eyes, these fudgey brownies are the perfect choice for your Christmas party.

A top shot of the reindeer christmas brownie.

SAVE THIS RECIPE!

Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.

Save Recipe Final

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: A Holiday Classic

These decadent brownies were inspired by the 1964 Christmas special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. However, did you know that both the story of Rudolph and the Christmas song of the same name existed before the movie did? Rudolph was originally a children’s picture book, written in 1939 by Robert L. May.

The book became a success, and May’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, wrote the song that we know and love. Country musician Gene Autry recorded the song in 1949, when it sold 2 million copies and reached #1 on the Billboard charts.

While Rankin Bass’ original Rudolph stop-motion cartoon has become a classic, it also has some lesser-known sequels: Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976), Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July (1979), and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys (2001).

Why This Easy Christmas Brownie Recipe is a Keeper

  • Easy Ingredients: This easy Christmas recipe only uses a handful of ingredients, starting with boxed brownie mix.
  • Kid Friendly: These fun and festive reindeer brownies are such a fun holiday treat for the kids to help decorate.
  • Adaptable: Easily make this chocolate brownie recipe oil free, resulting a lighter and healthier dessert.

If you’re looking for more Brownie recipes, try these: Christmas Brownie Balls, Hazelnut Brownie Blondies, and Homemade Brownies.

Meal planning printables
Get Our Free Meal Planning Bundle

With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.

Two of the character treats.

Yes. Once your fudge brownies have baked, you can take them out of the oven and cut them with a triangular cookie cutter instead of with a knife for this holiday dessert. This will make all your reindeer brownies the same size and shape.

Ingredient Notes for Chocolate Brownie Bars

Brownie mix, pretzels and candy eyes.

The ingredients for these delicious Christmas brownie bites are sweet, festive, and fun- and you may already have many of them on hand!

  • Boxed Brownie Mix : All the dry ingredients ready to go in the box. You can make your own mix with unsweetened cocoa powder and vanilla extract too. Use any variety that you wish.
  • Pretzels: You can use differently-shaped pretzels, but cute little pretzel rounds work best.
  • Candy Eyes: Edible candy eyes.
  • Red M&Ms: Alternatively, you can use any red circular candy for the nose.
  • Chocolate Chips: Sugar free chips can also be a good swap out.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations and Substitutions for Holiday Brownies

Shake up your reindeer brownies with these easy tips:

  • Icing: You can use icing to make the eyes and nose instead of candies.
  • Brownie Mix: Use any flavor of brownie mix you want, or if you want to go the extra mile, make your own.
  • Candy Nose: Instead of an M&M, you can use any red, circular candy, such as Skittles, Red Hots, or Dots.

How to Make Decandent Fudge Reindeer Brownies

These are the perfect brownies for your holiday party! They take less than an hour to make, and are sure to delight your friends and family.

These are the basic steps for making reindeer Christmas brownies. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Making the brownie mix batter, making the brownies and cutting the brownies.

STEP 1: Make the Batter and Spread in Pan

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, or as according to the box mix. In a large bowl, make the boxed brownie mix according to the package by adding the necessary wet ingredients. Use a spoon or a stand mixer. Pour brownie batter in the baking dish prepared with cooking spray or line baking pan with foil, and bake for 20-25 minutes or as directed on box.

STEP 2: Remove the brownies from Baking Pan

Use a toothpick to check if your brownies are done. If the toothpick inserted two inches into your brownies comes out with batter on it, you may need to cook them for a few extra minutes. If the toothpick comes out clean, then your brownies are fully baked. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Peel foil away.

STEP 3: Cut into triangle shapes

Once the brownies have cooled completely, use a knife the loosen the edges before removing them from the baking pan. Use a sharp knife, pizza cutter, or cookie cutter to evenly cut the pan of brownies into 8 equal triangles.

Creating the reindeer face.

STEP 4: Make the reindeer face

First melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a medium bowl in the microwave in 30 second intervals until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Dab a bit of chocolate on each candy eye to help to stick it onto the brownies. Then, use bit of chocolate to add two pretzels to create the antlers, and an M&M for the red candy nose. Repeat until all brownies have been decorated.

To store, cover the pan with foil and place the brownies in the refrigerator.

Recipe FAQs for Decadent Fudgy Brownies

 Chewy brownies have a higher fat to flour, whereas a cakey brownie has less fat/oil and more flour.

Yes. To freeze brownies, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and store and freeze in pan or freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.

You can easily make this recipe oil free by using a 1:1 ratio of applesauce in place of the vegetable oil.

A platter of the finished reindeer christmas brownies.

Expert Tips for Making This Homemade Brownies Recipe for the Perfect Christmas Treat

  • Peppermint Candy Cane Antlers: For this recipe, I used pretzels, but you can also use mini candy canes to make the antlers.
  • Oil Substitutes: Make these easy reindeer brownies slightly healthier by swapping out the oil for a 1:1 ratio of applesauce, mashed banana, or pumpkin puree.
  • Make a Second Batch: This is a great recipe for a Christmas Party. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking dishes before baking. You can make the perfect Christmas treat if you love brownies.
  • Frosting: You can use frosting and a piping bag to decorate the brownies as well. You can also sprinkle them with crushed peppermint, candy sprinkles, or crushed candy for this Christmas treat.
  • Shapes: Make Christmas Tree Brownies recipe can also be great make brownie with red and green candies with a chocolate ganache frosting and change up the flavors by making peppermint brownies or white chocolate.
A top shot of the reindeer christmas brownie.
5 from 1 vote

Reindeer Christmas Brownies

Yield: 8 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Reindeer Christmas Brownies make for one of the cutest Christmas desserts. Your kids will have so much fun decorating these festive treats.
Print Pin Rate Save
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 16.3 ounces Brownie mix, 1 box plus required oil, water and eggs
  • 16 Pretzel twists
  • 16 Candy eyes, edible
  • 8 Red m&m’s
  • 1 tablespoon Chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven according to brownie mix box directions. Spray a round springform pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Complete the required steps listed on the brownie box to create the brownie batter.
  • Transfer the batter to the greased springform pan and place in the preheated oven.
  • Bake according to box directions and until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow brownies to cool completely.
  • Once cooled, run a knife around the end of the pan before releasing the brownies from the springform pan. Use a sharp knife to slice the brownies into 8 equal slices.
  • Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and microwave for an additional 30 seconds if needed or until chocolate is melted.
  • Use a butter knife to dab a bit of melted chocolate onto the back of two candy eyes and place them on a brownie slice.
  • Spread a bit of melted chocolate onto the bottoms of two pretzel twists and place onto the top corners of the brownie slice as antlers.
  • Add a dot of chocolate to a red m&m and place on the tip of the brownie slice for Rudolph’s nose. Repeat this process until all brownies have been decorated as Rudolph.

Expert Tips

  • This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a Christmas Party. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking dishes before baking
  • Oil-Free: Makes these easy reindeer brownies slightly healthier by swapping out the oil for a 1:1 ratio of applesauce, mashed banana, or pumpkin puree.
  • Candy Cane Antlers: For this recipe I used pretzels, but you can also use mini candy canes to make the antlers.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 0.4mg | Sodium: 319mg | Potassium: 27mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 2mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!Follow Me: @ItsAKeeperBlog or tag #itisakeeper
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Leave a Comment

Rate this Recipe