Christmas Spice Brownies (Recipe Inspired by THE MERRIEST MAGNOLIA)

We made it to December, Tartlets, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with Christmas Spice Brownies.

This book-inspired recipe for The Merriest Magnolia combines all the warm, seasonal flavors you expect to find during the holidays.

Think decadent hot chocolate meets amaretto biscotti meets mulled wine spices.

Yeah. YEAH. That’s where I’m going with this. You with me?

Of course you are.

Christmas Spice Brownies are an homage to my favorite Christmas cookie, the Basler Brunsli, which is Swiss cookie made with almonds, egg whites, chocolate, and spices. I made Basler Brunsli cookies one year — and I’ll probably never make them again.

Do you know what a pain in the ass it is to roll out cookie dough held together by almond flour and egg whites? BECAUSE I DO.

Thankfully, making Christmas Spice Brownies is so much easier. Which is what we want in a Christmas dessert, right?

RIGHT. The holidays are busy enough without spending (even more) hours in the kitchen.

Basically, Christmas Spice Brownies are the dessert incarnation of all the holiday feels you get from those cozy, small-town Christmas books and movies.

At first, you just taste a rich, fudgy brownie laced with sweet almond. Then, a second later, you get a hint of spiced warmth from the cinnamon and cloves.

The combination of flavors in Christmas Spice Brownies makes me want to dance around the kitchen singing “It Feels Like Christmas” from The Muppet Christmas Carol. (Which, btw, is the best version of A Christmas Carol, ever. EVER.)

Seriously, every bite of these treats tastes like Christmas.

While I make most of my brownies and bars in a square pan, I decided to use a Springform pan this time for a more unique, eye-catching shape. Adding a wreath of sliced almonds before baking gives the dessert some festive flair.

Dust a little powdered sugar on top before serving, and you’re all set.

Christmas Spice Brownies are the perfect dessert to serve up with steaming mugs of coffee while you gather ’round the fireplace, singing carols in the glow of the Christmas tree.

Or, if you think Santa will be a little cookie’d out by December 24, maybe leave him a generous brownie with a tall, frosty glass of milk.

Whoever you serve these Christmas Spice Brownies to, I guarantee you there’ll only be crumbs left by December 26.

And, maybe not even those!

Christmas Spice Brownies

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings 8 16 small slices

Ingredients

  

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• confectioner's sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

 

PREP INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Grease a Springform pan and set aside.
• Melt the butter and set aside.

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS

• Whisk together the melted butter and the sugar in a large bowl until completely combined. Then whisk in the eggs, one at a time, until mixture is thick and creamy.
• Whisk in the almond and vanilla extracts. Set bowl with wet ingredients aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, cinnamon, cloves, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
• Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet, then stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until all ingredients are completely combined. You should have a thick, rich, chocolate batter.
• Pour the brownie batter into the prepared Springform pan, then spread to the edges and smooth out the top. Thump the pan on the counter a few times to get out any air bubbles.
• Sprinkle the sliced almonds in a wreath pattern (or any pattern you like) over the brownie batter.
• Bake Christmas Spice Brownies at 350F for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the brownies comes out clean.
• Let cool completely before removing the Springform collar and slicing.
• Serve each slice with a sprinkling of confectioner's sugar, if desired.

Notes

Christmas Spice Brownies can also be made in an 8x8 square pan, though brownies will turn out a little thicker.

Christmas Spice Brownies are an adapted version of this recipe.