Festive Holiday Ornament Brownie
Celebrate the holiday season with our Festive Holiday Ornament Brownie, a magnificent creation that combines decadent chocolate brownie with indulgent peanut butter chips. This giant brownie, adorned with a rainbow of colorful candies and decorative icing, not only tastes amazing but also makes for an impressive centerpiece at any festive gathering. Each slice is a delightful treat that captures the spirit of the holidays and brings joy to family and friends alike. Perfect for parties, gift-giving, or simply indulging in a little holiday cheer!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
as needed (to grease the cake pan)
Brownie mix
2 boxes (plus required ingredients as per package instructions)
Peanut butter chips
1 cup (to fold into brownie batter)
Buttercream frosting, white
2 cups (for frosting the brownie and color mixing)
Turquoise gel food coloring
to taste (for coloring the frosting)
Blue decorating icing
to taste (for piping)
Silver dragees
6 (for decoration)
Purple gumdrops
7 (for decoration)
Green decorating gel
to taste (for piping)
Pink decorating icing
to taste (for piping)
Candy sprinkles, pink
2 teaspoons (for decoration)
Candy sprinkles, purple
2 teaspoons (for decoration)
Candy sprinkles, blue
2 teaspoons (for decoration)
Jumbo yellow marshmallows
4 (for ornament top decoration)
Candy cane
1 (for the ornament top)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom and sides of a 12-inch cake pan with parchment paper and lightly spray the inside with nonstick cooking spray.
2
In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the brownie mixes with the required ingredients (eggs, water, and oil) as per package instructions. Mix until well combined and smooth. Gently fold in the peanut butter chips using a spatula.
3
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the brownie cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
4
Once the brownie is completely cooled, spread an even layer of white buttercream frosting over the entire surface of the brownie using a spatula or offset knife.
5
In a separate bowl, place the remaining white frosting and add a few drops of turquoise gel food coloring. Mix gently with a spatula until fully combined. Transfer this turquoise frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a #825 star tip.
6
Using a small pastry bag fitted with a #6 round tip, pipe 7 alternating long and short vertical lines at the top of the brownie with blue decorating icing. Place 2 silver dragees beneath the shorter lines to create a decorative effect.
7
Pipe the turquoise frosting underneath the blue lines in a fun horizontal squiggle pattern to add texture.
8
Next, lay down a line of purple gumdrops directly beneath the turquoise frosting to give a pop of color.
9
Utilize the green decorating gel to pipe two horizontal lines across the brownie, just below the purple gumdrops, then add vertical lines between the horizontal lines to resemble a whimsical sideways ladder design.
10
Transfer the pink decorating icing into a pastry bag fitted with a #825 star tip. Pipe out 6 pink stars beneath the green decorating gel for an added festive touch.
11
Mix together the pink, purple, and blue sprinkles in a small bowl and scatter them generously over the white frosting below the pink stars.
12
To craft the ornament top, insert a candy cane into the center of the brownie’s top. Take two jumbo yellow marshmallows and carefully make a vertical cut halfway through them using kitchen shears. Position these marshmallows on either side of the candy cane, opening the slits slightly to secure the candy cane, then add additional marshmallows around the candy cane for a decorative finish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Festive Holiday Ornament Brownie?
It is a giant chocolate brownie made with peanut butter chips and decorated with colorful icing, gumdrops, and sprinkles to resemble a holiday ornament.
How many brownie mix boxes are needed?
You will need 2 boxes of brownie mix, plus the ingredients required by the package instructions.
What size cake pan is used for this recipe?
A 12-inch cake pan is recommended to create the large ornament shape.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does the brownie need to bake?
The brownie should bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
What type of chips are added to the batter?
One cup of peanut butter chips is folded into the brownie batter before baking.
How should the cake pan be prepared?
Line the bottom and sides with parchment paper and lightly spray the inside with nonstick cooking spray.
How long should the brownie cool before frosting?
Let it cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
What kind of frosting is used for the base layer?
White buttercream frosting is used to create the base layer over the entire surface.
How do I make the turquoise frosting?
Mix a few drops of turquoise gel food coloring into the remaining white buttercream frosting.
Which piping tip is used for the turquoise squiggle pattern?
A #825 star tip is used for the turquoise frosting squiggles.
How many blue lines should be piped at the top?
Pipe 7 alternating long and short vertical lines using blue decorating icing.
Where do the silver dragees go?
Place 2 silver dragees beneath the shorter blue lines for a decorative effect.
What color gumdrops are used in this recipe?
Seven purple gumdrops are placed in a line beneath the turquoise frosting.
How is the green ladder design created?
Pipe two horizontal lines with green decorating gel, then add small vertical lines between them.
How many pink stars should be piped?
Pipe 6 pink stars using pink decorating icing and a #825 star tip.
What sprinkle colors are recommended?
A combination of pink, purple, and blue sprinkles is used.
How do I craft the ornament top?
Insert a candy cane into the top of the brownie and surround it with jumbo yellow marshmallows.
How many jumbo marshmallows are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 jumbo yellow marshmallows.
How do I prepare the marshmallows for the top?
Make a vertical cut halfway through the marshmallows using kitchen shears to help secure them around the candy cane.
Can I use a different color of decorating icing?
While the recipe specifies turquoise, blue, pink, and green, you can customize the colors to your preference.
What tip is used for the blue decorating icing?
A #6 round tip is used for the blue decorating icing lines.
How much white buttercream frosting is required?
The recipe requires 2 cups of white buttercream frosting.
Is parchment paper necessary?
Yes, parchment paper helps ensure the giant brownie can be removed from the pan without breaking.
What is the serving suggestion for this brownie?
It is intended to be sliced and served as a centerpiece treat for festive holiday gatherings.
Can I substitute the peanut butter chips?
Yes, you can substitute them with chocolate chips or white chocolate chips if preferred.
How many silver dragees are used in total?
A total of 6 silver dragees are used for the decoration.
What kind of food coloring is best for the frosting?
Gel food coloring is recommended as it provides vibrant color without thinning the frosting.
Does the brownie need to be stored in the fridge?
Because of the buttercream frosting, it is best stored in a cool place or the refrigerator if not serving immediately.
How much of each sprinkle color should I use?
Use 2 teaspoons each of pink, purple, and blue sprinkles mixed together.