Name: Christmas Brownies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 15
Ingredients: ⅞ cup (200g) unsalted butter; 1 ⅓ cups (200g) chocolate chips ((or chopped chocolate)); 1 cup (200g) soft light brown sugar; 4 large eggs; zest of 1 orange; 5 tbsp mincemeat ((optional)); scant 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour ((= plain flour)); ½ cup + 1 tbsp (50g) cocoa powder; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ tsp ground cloves; ½ tsp salt; 3 oz (85g) powdered sugar ((= icing sugar)); 1 tbsp milk more if needed; a couple drops vanilla extract; Green food coloring ((optional)); sprinkles to decorate; chocolate fingers (, halved, for the tree ‘trunks’)

You will also love my Easy Ginger Cake

When it comes to brownies can you really ever have too many recipes – or excuses to bake some? These Christmas Brownies are loaded with spices, orange zest and a little mincemeat for extra Yuletide cheer. Excellent if you have a few nearly empty jars of leftover mincemeat about the house from baking mince pies. No? Just me?

If mincemeat is not your thing fear not: I have provided alternatives in the recipe notes – or you could simply leave it out. I think mincemeat goes really well in brownies adding a lovely Christmassy flavour without being overpowering.

These brownies are perfectly gooey and chocolatey and yet so simple a child could bake them – and indeed my daughter has made them a few times 🙂 Take a look at the recipe video and step by step tutorial to see how its done!

How to Make Christmas Brownies

Step 1. Put the chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 second bursts, stirring in between, until melted. Alternatively you can use the double boiler method here: place the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water and the chocolate and butter to melt gradually.

Step 2. Place the sugar, orange zest and eggs in a large bowl and use a hand whisk to mix together until frothy. Stir in the mincemeat if using.

Step 3. Stir in the melted chocolate/butter mixture until thoroughly combined.

Step 4. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder and spices and stir to combine. You should have a glossy thick batter.

Step 5. Pour the batter into a lined brownie tin and level. Cook in a 180°C (350°F) preheated oven for 30 minutes until the edges are set but the middle is still a little squidgy. A toothpick inserted in the centre should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 6. Leave the brownies to COOL. Sorry for shouting, but if you cut the brownies now they will fall apart – be patient and allow them to cool before slicing.

Step 7. Remove the brownies from the tin using the paper lining to lift them out. Cut into triangle shapes.

Step 8. If you are decorating them then mix the icing sugar, vanilla extract, green food colouring (if using) and enough milk to make a pourable icing. Drizzle over the brownies and add sprinkles or decorations while the glaze is still wet.