These cute-as-a-button Christmas Reindeer Brownies are sure to be a hit at class Christmas parties and end of year celebrations!
Whether you're after easy class gifts for school or kindy friends, a cute Christmas party treat, or a fun activity to fill in a December morning, these reindeer brownies are an absolutely delicious (and fun) way to start the holidays.
These rich, chocolate-y Christmas brownies topped with pretzel antlers and adorable candy features are fun to make and even more fun to eat!
Why You're Going to To Love This Recipe
- So Easy – This Christmas recipe for kids is so simple to make, and even better when you get the little ones involved! They make the perfect holiday activity.
- So Cute – These Christmas brownies are adorable on a festive plate in front of the tree or wrapped in plastic to give as gifts. Imagine making these part of your holiday tradition for years to come.
- Great For Gifts - These super cute reindeers are perfect for gifting to family or friends at Christmas.
What You Need
Please scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.
- chocolate brownie - you can either make your own (I highly recommend using this recipe as it's rich and dense - making it easy to decorate) or you can buy a pre-made slab of brownie from the supermarket
- melted milk chocolate - or substitute with dark chocolate if you prefer
- mini candy canes - or regular sized cut into small pieces
- silver cachous - you can buy silver cachous (small edible balls) in the baking section of most large supermarkets.
- Jaffas - If you can’t find Jaffas (chocolate balls covered in an orange flavoured hard shell), you can use any red coated chocolates or lollies (such as red M&Ms).
- pretzels - use regular pretzels (not mini pretzels)
How To Make Christmas Reindeer Brownies
Please scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.
Step 1 - Cut The Brownie
Turn the chocolate brownie over onto a chopping board so that the flat side faces up and trim off the edges. Cut the brownies into 16 equal-sized rectangles. The brownies should be taller than they are wide to fit the decorations.
Step 2 - Place The Antlers
Gently insert the pretzels as shown to make the antlers.
If you are not serving the same day, wait until the day of serving to insert the pretzels so that they don't become stale or softened!
Step 3 - Add The Stick
Gently insert the peppermint stick or candy cane into the bottom of the brownie.
Ensure that it is pressed in far enough that it won't fall out.
Step 4 - Make The Face
Spread the melted chocolate on one side of the brownie for the face.
Make sure the brownie and melted chocolate have cooled before you start decorating!
Add the silver cachous for the eyes and a Jaffa for the nose (or use alternatives - see notes below).
Recipe Tips & FAQ
What kind of brownie should I use?
Use a rich and dense brownie so that you can easily insert the candy cane base and pretzel antlers. I recommend using this recipe as it perfect for decorating.
Can I use a store-bought brownie to save time?
Of course! Just ensure you choose a rich and dense brownie (not a cake-y and crumbly one). Skip the recipe steps for preparing and cooking the brownie and go straight to cutting the brownie and decorating it!
Where can I find the candies for the face?
You can buy silver cachous (small edible balls) in the baking section of most large supermarkets. If you can't find Jaffas (chocolate balls covered in an orange flavoured hard shell), you can use any red coated chocolates or lollies (such as red M&Ms).
Can I make this brownie ahead of time?
The chocolate brownie can be prepared ahead of time and frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow to come to room temperature before cutting and decorating.
How long will these reindeer brownies last?
You can store the prepared brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Please note that the pretzels will soften over time so best to insert on the day.
Can these be given as a gift?
Absolutely! Place the reindeer brownies into seal-able plastic or cellophane bags and tie with a ribbon.
More Christmas Recipes To Make With The Kids
Easy and fun Christmas recipes to make with kids… from reindeer brownies to Christmas marshmallow pops, a rocky road wreath to reindeer food, a chocolate Christmas house to Christmas balls and more!
Browse all my Christmas kids recipes here.
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Super Easy Christmas Reindeer Brownies
Ingredients
- 150 g butter
- 275 g (1 ¼cups) caster sugar
- 75 g (¾ cup) cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 75 g (½ cup) plain flour
Decorations
- 200 g pretzels
- 250 g milk chocolate melted
- 200 g packet Jaffas (or any red coated chocolate or lolly)
- 130 g silver cachous (edible balls)
- 16 mini candy canes
Instructions
Conventional Method
- Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius and line a 20cm square tin with baking paper. Set aside.
- Place the butter into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1 minute.
- Add the caster sugar and cocoa powder and stir.
- Heat in the microwave on 30 second bursts (50% power) until melted and combined - stirring each time.
- Allow to cool slightly.
- Add the vanilla extract and the eggs and whisk until combined.
- Sift the plain flour into the bowl and mix gently.
- Pour the brownie mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 30 minutes or until just cooked through (do not overcook).
- Leave in the tin to cool completely.
- Trim any raised edges off the brownie so you have a completely flat square brownie.
- Turn the brownie over onto a flat board.
- Cut the brownie into 16 equal rectangles.
- Cut the pretzels in half using a sharp knife.
- Press the pretzels into the top of the brownie pieces for 'antlers'.
- Spread melted milk chocolate over the front of the brownie pieces (do a couple at a time so that the chocolate doesn't set too quickly).
- Add a Jaffa for the nose and 2 silver cachous for the eyes.
- Trim the candy canes with a knife so that you have small straight pieces (approx 6 cm in length). Insert the candy cane into the base of the brownie pieces.
Thermomix Method
- Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius and line a 20cm square tin with baking paper. Set aside.
- Place the butter into the Thermomix bowl. Melt for 3 minutes, 80 degrees, Speed 2.
- Add the caster sugar and cocoa powder and mix for 10 seconds, Speed 4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and repeat for a further 10 seconds. Allow to cool slightly.
- Add the vanilla extract and the eggs and mix for 10 seconds, Reverse, Speed 4. Scrape down the sides and repeat.
- Add the plain flour and mix for 5 seconds, Speed 4. Scrape the sides of the bowl and repeat.
- Pour the brownie mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Leave in the tin to cool completely.
- Trim any raised edges off the brownie so you have a completely flat square brownie. Turn the brownie over onto a flat board. Cut the brownie into 16 equal rectangles.
- Cut the pretzels in half using a sharp knife. Press the pretzels into the top of the brownie pieces for 'antlers'.
- Spread melted milk chocolate over the front of the brownie pieces (do a couple at a time so that the chocolate doesn't set too quickly).
- Add a Jaffa for the nose and 2 silver cachous for the eyes.
- Trim the candy canes with a knife so that you have small straight pieces (approx 6 cm in length).
- Insert the candy cane into the base of the brownie pieces.
Notes
- Use a rich and dense brownie so that you can easily insert the candy cane base and pretzel antlers. I recommend using this recipe as it perfect for decorating.
- You can buy silver cachous (small edible balls) in the baking section of most large supermarkets.
- If you can't find Jaffas (chocolate balls covered in an orange flavoured hard shell), you can use any red coated chocolates or lollies (such as red M&Ms).
- Allow the chocolate brownie to cool completely before decorating.
- Turn the chocolate brownie over onto a chopping board so that the flat side faces up. Trim off the edges.
- The chocolate brownie can be prepared ahead of time and frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow to come to room temperature before cutting and decorating.
- Please note that you will have some pretzels, Jaffas and silver cachous leftover after decorating (perfect for nibbling on as you go!!)
- Store the decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week (the pretzels are best inserted on the day of serving).
Food Shot says
These are so adorable! Something that will add that Christmas spirit to the desserts of our festive family dinner.
Lucy Mathieson says
Thank you so much!