Snowman Brownies
These adorable snowman brownies are the perfect holiday treat that combines fudgy chocolate brownies with fluffy marshmallow snowmen. They’re easy to make and guaranteed to bring smiles to your holiday parties, classroom celebrations, or cozy family nights.
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal decorating skills required, you can create these festive brownies that look impressive but come together quickly. The rich chocolate base pairs beautifully with sweet marshmallows and colorful candy decorations.
Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing treats for a winter gathering, these snowman brownies are sure to become a seasonal favorite in your recipe collection.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These snowman brownies deliver that perfect fudgy brownie texture everyone craves while looking festive and fun. The combination of homemade brownies and creative decorating makes them feel special without requiring advanced baking skills.
They’re incredibly versatile for any winter occasion, from Christmas parties to snow day activities with kids. Plus, most of the ingredients are pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
The decorating process is simple enough for children to help, making this recipe a wonderful opportunity for quality family time during the busy holiday season.
Read More: Wild Berry Crumble Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You’ll need basic brownie ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, cocoa powder, and flour for the base layer.
For the snowman decorations, grab large and mini marshmallows, orange candy melts or frosting for noses, and mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons. Pretzel sticks make perfect arms, while you can use any small candies for scarves or hats.
Feel free to get creative with your decorating supplies. Fruit roll ups, fondant, or colored frosting all work beautifully for adding personality to each snowman.
How to Make Snowman Brownies
Start by baking your favorite brownies according to the recipe below or using a quality box mix. Let them cool completely before cutting into squares, as this prevents the marshmallows from melting when you assemble your snowmen.
Once cooled, place one large marshmallow on each brownie square for the body, then add a mini marshmallow on top for the head. Use a toothpick to add a tiny dot of frosting as glue for attaching decorations.
Create faces with mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons, then add small triangle pieces of orange candy or frosting for carrot noses. Stick pretzel pieces into the sides for arms and wrap fruit leather or fondant strips around the neck for scarves.
Snowman Brownies
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy16
brownies20
55
minutes1
hour15
minutesFudgy chocolate brownies topped with marshmallow snowmen and decorated with candy features. A delightful holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Ingredients
- For the Brownies
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- For Decorating
16 large marshmallows
16 mini marshmallows
32 mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
16 orange candy melts or orange frosting (for noses)
Mini chocolate chips (for buttons)
32 small pretzel sticks (for arms)
Fruit leather or fondant strips (for scarves, optional)
White frosting or melted chocolate (for attaching decorations)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and glossy.
- Sift in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The batter should be thick and fudgy.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake.
- Let brownies cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to make cutting easier. Remove from pan using parchment overhang and cut into 16 squares.
- Place one large marshmallow on each brownie square. Top with a mini marshmallow for the head, using a tiny dab of frosting to help it stick if needed.
- Use frosting or melted chocolate as glue to attach two mini chocolate chips for eyes on each snowman face. Add a small piece of orange candy or frosting for the carrot nose.
- Press mini chocolate chips down the front of the large marshmallow to create buttons. Insert pretzel stick pieces into the sides for arms.
- Wrap small strips of fruit leather or fondant around the neck area to create scarves. Add any additional decorations like hats or earmuffs as desired.
- Let decorated brownies sit for 10 minutes to allow frosting to set before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- Brownie Base: You can substitute your favorite brownie recipe or use a box mix to save time. Just ensure they’re completely cooled before decorating.
Marshmallow Tip: If marshmallows won’t stack, insert a toothpick through both marshmallows into the brownie for stability. Remove before eating or warn guests.
Decoration Swaps: Use any small candies you have available for faces and buttons. Candy eyes, orange sprinkles, or even carrot shaped candies work great. - Make It Easier: Prepare brownies the night before and decorate the next day for stress free party prep.
Nut Free: This recipe is naturally nut free, making it perfect for school events and gatherings with allergy concerns.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 165 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 35mg |
| Sodium | 55mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 25g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 19g |
| Protein | 2g |
Tips for Perfect Brownies
Make sure your brownies are completely cool before decorating, or the heat will melt your marshmallows and candy pieces. If you’re short on time, pop them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to speed up cooling.
Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts to get neat brownie squares. This creates a professional looking base for your snowman decorations and ensures each piece looks its best.
If your marshmallows won’t stay stacked, use a toothpick inserted through both marshmallows into the brownie to secure them. Just remember to warn guests about the toothpick before serving.
Storage and Make Ahead
Store these snowman brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent the decorations from sticking together or getting damaged.
You can bake the brownies up to two days in advance and store them wrapped tightly before decorating. This makes party prep much easier and lets you focus on the fun decorating part when you’re ready.
For longer storage, freeze undecorated brownies for up to three months. Thaw completely before adding marshmallow snowmen and decorations.
Decoration Variations
Get creative with your snowman accessories by using different candies and treats. Try using orange Tic Tacs for noses, colored M&Ms for buttons, or licorice strips for scarves.
Make your snowmen even more festive by adding tiny hats made from Reese’s cups topped with a dot of frosting and a mini marshmallow. You can also pipe on earmuffs using colored frosting or add edible glitter for a sparkly winter effect.
Let kids choose their own decorating supplies and create unique snowman personalities. This turns a simple recipe into a fun, interactive activity that keeps everyone entertained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these brownies ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the brownies up to two days in advance and store them tightly wrapped at room temperature. Decorate them the day you plan to serve for the freshest look. The marshmallows and decorations hold up best when added within 24 hours of serving.
What can I use instead of candy melts for the noses?
Orange frosting works perfectly and is easier to shape into small carrot noses. You can also use small pieces of orange fruit snacks, orange sprinkles, or even tiny triangles cut from orange Starburst candies. Any small orange colored treat will do the job.
Why are my marshmallows sliding off the brownies?
This usually happens when the brownies are still warm or if the surface is too crumbly. Make sure brownies are completely cooled and use a small dab of frosting as edible glue between the brownie and marshmallow. You can also insert a toothpick through the marshmallows into the brownie for extra security.
