No Bake Christmas Brownies – Quick and Easy, Oven-Free Christmas Treat đ«
When December gets busy, the last thing most people want to do is turn the oven on. Between gift wrapping, guests, and last-minute plans, baking can start to feel like a chore â even if you love desserts.
Thatâs where no bake Christmas brownies come in.
Theyâre rich, chocolatey, and festive, but they donât require an oven, a mixer, or perfect timing. You melt, mix, chill, and slice. Thatâs it. Whether youâre making a quick dessert for guests or something sweet to keep in the fridge during the holidays, these brownies fit right in.
About No Bake Christmas Brownies / What Are No Bake Christmas Brownies?Â
No bake Christmas brownies are a chocolate-based dessert that delivers all the indulgence of traditional brownies â without baking.
Instead of flour and eggs, they rely on:
- Melted chocolate and butter
- Cocoa powder for depth
- Crushed biscuits for structure
Once pressed into a tin and chilled, the mixture sets into soft, sliceable squares that look and taste like brownies, but feel far less effort-heavy.
Theyâre especially popular during Christmas because:
- Theyâre fast to prepare
- Theyâre hard to mess up
- They work well for gifting and parties
- They can be made days in advance
In short: theyâre ideal when time is limited but expectations are high.
Ingredients for No Bake Christmas Brownies
The ingredient list is short and flexible, which makes this recipe easy to adapt to what you already have at home.
Main Ingredients
- 200g dark chocolate
- 120g unsalted butter
- 150g crushed digestive biscuits or graham crackers
- 50g cocoa powder
- 80g powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
These ingredients create a brownie base thatâs rich, smooth, and not overly sweet.
Festive Toppings & Mix-Ins
Optional, but recommended for Christmas:
- Crushed candy canes
- White chocolate drizzle
- Christmas sprinkles
- Mini marshmallows
- Chopped nuts
This is where the Christmas feel really comes through.
Aveline’s No Bake Christmas Brownies Video đ
How to Make No Bake Christmas Brownies (Step-by-Step)
This recipe is simple, but a few small details make a big difference.
Step 1: Prepare the TinÂ
- Line an 8Ă8-inch (20Ă20 cm) tin with parchment paper
- Leave a little overhang so you can lift the brownies out later
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Butter
- Melt chocolate and butter together gently
- Stir until completely smooth
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly
You want it warm, not hot.
Step 3: Build the Brownie BaseÂ
- Stir powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt into the chocolate mixture
- Mix until thick and glossy
At this stage, it should already smell deeply chocolatey.
Step 4: Add the Biscuit CrumbsÂ
- Fold in crushed biscuits
- Mix until everything is evenly coated
The mixture will be thick and slightly sticky â thatâs exactly right.
Step 5: Press and Decorate
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared tin
- Smooth the top with the back of a spoon
- Add festive toppings while still soft
Pressing firmly helps the brownies hold their shape once chilled.
Step 6: Chill Until SetÂ
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours
- Slice once fully firm
For extra clean slices, warm your knife under hot water before cutting.
No Bake Christmas Brownies
Ingredients
Method
- Line an 8Ă8-inch (20Ă20 cm) tin with parchment paper.
- Melt the dark chocolate and butter together until smooth.
- Stir in powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined.
- Fold in crushed biscuits until evenly coated and thick.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared tin, smoothing the top.
- Add festive toppings while the mixture is still soft.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fully set.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Flavor Variations & Other Ways to Make No Bake Christmas BrowniesÂ
Once youâve made these once, youâll probably start experimenting.
Peppermint No Bake Christmas Brownies
- Add a small amount of peppermint extract
- Top with crushed candy canes
- Finish with white chocolate drizzle
Coconut Chocolate Christmas Brownies
- Stir desiccated coconut into the base
- Sprinkle extra on top
- A great option if you want something a little different
Nutty No Bake Christmas Brownies
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans
- Gives texture and a more âgrown-upâ flavour
White Chocolate Topped BrowniesÂ
- Melt white chocolate and drizzle over chilled brownies
- Let set before slicing
- Simple, but very effective visually.
Tips for No Bake Christmas Brownies
A few practical tips to avoid common mistakes.
Helpful Tips
- Crush biscuits finely for cleaner slices
- Press the mixture firmly into the tin
- Donât skip the chill time
- Store chilled for best texture
No bake desserts rely on structure, not baking â pressing and chilling matter more than you might expect.
How to Store No Bake Christmas Brownies
These brownies store extremely well.
Storage Options
- Refrigerator: up to 7 days in an airtight container
- Freezer: up to 2â3 months, wrapped individually
They thaw quickly and keep their texture surprisingly well.
How to Serve No Bake Christmas Brownies
These brownies are versatile and easy to dress up.
Serving Ideas
- Serve straight from the fridge for neat slices
- Arrange on a Christmas dessert board
- Wrap in parchment and ribbon for gifts
- Pair with coffee or hot chocolate
Theyâre rich, so smaller squares usually work best.
More festive recipes đ
No Bake Christmas Brownies FAQ
Theyâre different, but still deeply chocolatey and indulgent â closer to a fudgy brownie than a cake.
Usually not enough chilling time or the mixture wasnât pressed firmly enough.
Yes. Theyâre actually better made a day in advance.
Yes â no oven makes them ideal for baking with children (with supervision during melting).