Snowman Brownies
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These Snowman Brownies are the perfect blend of fudgy indulgence and festive charm. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a holiday party, or just craving something sweet and whimsical, these treats bring smiles with every bite.
If you need more kid friends treats, try my Birthday Cake Cookies and my Sesame Street Cupcakes.
Why this Snowman Brownies Recipe Works
We can make fun holiday recipes without a lot of work. Getting the kids together and making memories can be fun and also simple. And did I mention delicious? Try making this amazing treat with your loved ones.
- Impressive Presentation with Minimal Effort: It turns a simple box of brownies into an adorable, festive, and professional-looking dessert, perfect for holiday parties or winter celebrations.
- Kid-Friendly Activity: The decorating steps are simple and fun, making it an excellent project for children (with adult supervision for cutting).
- Scalable: It’s easily scalable for a crowd (a 9×13 pan yields 14 snowmen) or adjustable for smaller groups.
- No Baking Required: Buy premade brownies, it’s all assembly and decorating, which is fast and stress-free.
How Do I Prevent the Icing from Being Too Thin for the Snowman Brownies?
Start with 2 tablespoons of milk and slowly add more until you reach a consistency that is thick but still spoonable. It should hold its shape on the spoon and not immediately run off. Expert Tip: If it gets too thin, stir in more powdered sugar.
Fun Fact to Love these Melted Snowman Brownies
Brownies were likely invented by accident. When a baker forgot to add baking powder to a chocolate cake recipe, resulting in the dense, fudgy treat we love today!
Ingredient Notes for this Snowman Brownies Dessert Recipe
There are many ways to make this festive treat. Decorate the snowmen with the ingredients listed below, after they have completely cooled.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Brownies: This is your rich, fudgy foundation. Whether box-made for the dry ingredients or homemade, brownies provide the sturdy base for decorating. This rich cocoa treat can be made from your favorite brownie batter.
- Orange Sprinkles: They are the cute nose for your snowman.
- Candies: Use colorful candy buttons add whimsy and texture to the snowman’s “coat.” They’re easy to press into frosting and offer a satisfying crunch. Mini Reese’s form the snowman’s top hats! Their shape and chocolate-peanut butter flavor add visual charm and a tasty twist.
Variations and Substitutions for Fudgy Brownie Snowman
There are so many ways to try this recipe. You can place on top of the brownies to make cute snowmen. Let you children use your imagination and have some festive fun. Mix up the flavors, icing and marshmallows.
- Brownie Base: Fudge Brownies, Cookie Brownies (brookies), Chocolate Cake, even sugar cookies. Any firm, sliceable base works. Ensure it’s fully cooled.
- Reese’s Hat: Large chocolate chips, Mini Oreos, Chocolate kisses, Gumdrops. Cut other candies as needed to fit the “hat” shape. Mini marshmallows work well too.
- Candy Eyes: Small white sprinkles with a dot of black icing, Mini Chocolate Chips (placed upside down), Dots of black writing gel.Use whatever small, dark round candy you have.
- Nose (Orange Sprinkle): Tiny piece of dried apricot/mango, Orange Tic-Tac, Small piece of orange gummy candy.You need a small, bright orange piece for the classic carrot look.
- Buttons (M&Ms): Mini chocolate chips, Skittles, Sixlets, Small round sprinkles.Use any colorful, flat, round candy.
- Arms (Pretzels): Small edible candy stick (Pocky), Thin strips of licorice, Sprinkled powdered sugar “branches”.Adds a salty crunch. Use anything thin and stick-like.
- Icing: Canned Vanilla Frosting (thickened with powdered sugar), Cream Cheese Frosting (use sparingly).Ensure the substitute is thick so it doesn’t melt and run over the edges.
How to Make Easy Christmas Brownies
Brownies are more than just a dessert, they’re a nostalgic, versatile comfort food with a rich backstory and endless variations.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cut & Prep: Slice the cooled 9×13 pan of brownies in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 7 triangles (discard the ends). Arrange triangles on a tray. Cut Reese’s Cups and pretzels in half.
- Make the Icing: Mix powdered sugar and milk until thick but spreadable—avoid making it too runny or it will drip over the edges.
- Frost in Batches: Working 3 brownies at a time, spoon icing onto the center and gently spread it outward and upward, leaving a border around the edges. Place on parchment paper.
- Decorate Your Snowmen: Top each with a halved Reese’s Cup (hat), two candy eyeballs for the snowman faces, an orange sprinkle (nose), two matching M&Ms (buttons), and pretzel halves (arms).
Prep Ahead Suggestions to Love this Recipe
You can make the snowman brownies in the stages listed below. Making it easier to create the treat in your own time.
- Bake the Brownies: Up to 3 days ahead.Bake, cool completely, cover, and store at room temperature.
- Cut the Brownies: Up to 1 day ahead.Cut into triangles, arrange on a tray, cover tightly, and chill if desired.
- Prep Decorations: Up to 1 week ahead.Cut the Reese’s and break the pretzels. Keep all components in separate small containers.
- Mix the Icing: Mix just before decorating.The icing can harden quickly. Don’t mix it more than 15-20 minutes before use. Use a piping bag for ultimate control.
How to Store and Use Leftover Snowman Brownies
You can make a snowman so fun and easy. Make and store the brownies in an airtight container.
- Store: Store decorated snowmen in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, or refrigerated for up to 4 days (though refrigeration may dull the shine of the M&Ms).
- Use Leftovers: The brownie “end pieces” that weren’t used are perfect for brownie crumbles over ice cream, or mixed into a trifle with whipped cream and hot fudge.
Common Questions to Make the Holiday Treat
Of course, you can make this recipe as Christmas Trees or Reindeer too.
Yes, it is definitely possible. Make sure that your brownies and decorations are all gluten free before assembling.
Expert Recipe Tips for Making Melted Snowman Brownies
If baking, make sure that the brownies are completely cooled.
- Chilling is Key: After baking, chill the brownies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) before cutting. Cold brownies cut much cleaner than room-temperature ones.
- Clean Cuts: Wipe your knife clean with a damp cloth between every few cuts to prevent sticky crumbs from tearing the next piece.
- A “Hard” Icing is Best: The instructions specify a “thick” icing. You want it to be almost too stiff to stir. This thickness is crucial—it’s what allows it to be mounded into a rounded snowman shape without running flat.
- Press Decorations Gently: When adding the candy, press just enough so it adheres to the icing. Don’t press too hard, or you risk deforming the rounded snowman shape.
- Let the Icing Set: For the cleanest presentation, let the completed snowmen sit for 1-2 hours so the icing can fully harden before transferring or serving.
- White Chocolate: You can use melted white chocolate for a melted snowman brownie recipe.
- Serve this recipe with: Other holiday favorites are my: Christmas Cake Mix Cookies and my Holly Cupcakes, and these Italian Knot Cookies.
More Recipes You Might Like
Festive Snowman Brownies
Equipment
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- Brownies, 9×13 pan box made or homemade recipes
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 3-4 tbsp Milk
- 7 Mini Reese’s
- 28 Candy eyeballs
- 14 Orange sprinkles
- 28 M&Ms buttons
- 14 Pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife to cut the pan of brownies in half lengthwise, then cut each smaller section into 7 triangles. The ends will not be used.
- Arrange the brownie triangles on a tray or baking sheet.
- Cut the Reese’s Cups in half. Break the pretzels in half.
- Mix the powdered sugar and milk together to form a thick icing. You need it not to be too thin or it will spread over the sides of the brownies.
- Working in batches of 3, so the icing doesn’t harden before you can decorate, Drop a little onto the center of the brownie, and use the spoon to work it down and out – slightly rounded, then up. You want to not quite touch the edges.
- Now add a half Reese’s Cup towards the top for the hat, then two candy eyeballs underneath. Drop an orange sprinkle between and slightly under the eyes.
- Arrange two of the same color M&Ms down the middle for the buttons.
- Arrange two pretzel halves on either side of the “snowman”.
Christina’s Notes
- Use a toothpick to dot on tiny eyes and buttons for precision.
- Chill brownies before decorating to prevent frosting melt.
- Want a shortcut? Use store-bought brownies and decorate directly.
- For a snowy effect, dust with powdered sugar before serving.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
