WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that delivers on both holiday cheer and rich, chocolatey indulgence, Santa Belly Brownies are it. These adorable brownies are all dressed up in Santa suits, making them the perfect centerpiece for a dessert table, cookie swap, or holiday party. Fudgy on the inside with playful decorations on top, they bring joy to both kids and adults with every bite.

Beyond their cute appearance, what really makes these brownies a hit is how easy they are to put together. Start with your favorite rich, decadent brownie base—from a box or homemade—and add a few creative touches like red frosting, candy buckles, and a dash of magic. They’re low-effort, high-impact, and incredibly fun to make, especially with kids.

Why You’ll Love This Santa Belly Brownies Recipe

Santa Belly Brownies are a unique mix of comfort and whimsy. You get all the deep, gooey chocolate flavor of a traditional brownie paired with eye-catching holiday flair. They require no special baking skills, making them perfect for beginner bakers or last-minute treat needs.

These brownies also make wonderful edible gifts. Wrap them individually and hand them out to coworkers, neighbors, or teachers. With just a few ingredients and a touch of icing creativity, you’ve got a treat that’s guaranteed to impress.

What Kind of Brownies Work Best for Santa Belly Brownies?

You can use any type of brownie as the base, but the fudgier the better. Dense, moist brownies hold up well to decoration and stay intact when cut into neat squares. If you’re using a mix, go for the version that has “extra fudge” or “supreme” on the label. If you’re making them from scratch, a recipe with melted chocolate and cocoa powder gives the richest flavor. Avoid cakey brownies—they tend to crumble and can dry out quickly.

Ingredients for the Santa Belly Brownies

The fun of making Santa Belly Brownies starts with the ingredients. You’ll need a combination of rich brownie base and creative decorating tools to bring the magic to life.

Brownie batter: Whether you use a box mix or homemade recipe, this forms the base of your Santa bellies.

Red frosting: Used to mimic Santa’s red coat. Make sure it’s thick enough to pipe clean lines.

Black decorating gel or black fondant: This creates the belt across the center of each brownie.

Mini yellow or gold candies: These act as the belt buckles. Candy pearls, gold sprinkle squares, or even mini M&Ms work perfectly.

White frosting or small white sprinkles: For Santa’s buttons or fur trim.

Butter or oil: Needed to prepare your brownie batter if you’re using a mix.

Eggs: Another staple for boxed or homemade brownie batters.

How To Make the Santa Belly Brownies

Step 1: Bake the Brownie Base

Prepare your brownie batter according to the instructions on the box or your favorite homemade recipe. Pour it into a lined or greased square baking pan and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let them cool completely before decorating.

Step 2: Cut Into Squares

Once the brownies have cooled, cut them into equal-sized squares. Wipe your knife between cuts for clean edges. You should aim for 9 or 12 brownies depending on how big you want your Santa bellies.

Step 3: Frost the Coats

Using a piping bag or a spatula, spread a generous stripe of red frosting across the top half or full top of each brownie to represent Santa’s coat. Let it set slightly before adding additional elements.

Step 4: Add the Belt

Pipe or place a strip of black decorating gel or fondant across the center of the red frosting to mimic Santa’s belt. Keep it even and bold.

Step 5: Make the Buckle

Place your gold or yellow candy in the middle of the belt to complete the buckle. Press lightly so it stays in place.

Step 6: Final Touches

Add white frosting dots above or below the belt to represent buttons, or use white sprinkles for a fluffy trim. Let everything set before serving.

How to Serve and Store Santa Belly Brownies

These brownies are a festive showstopper on any holiday dessert tray. Stack them on a tiered cake stand or line them up on a platter for a colorful presentation. Each brownie serves as a single portion, so the whole batch can easily feed 9 to 12 people depending on how you cut them.

To store, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’re making them ahead, you can freeze the undecorated brownies for up to a month and decorate them the day you plan to serve.

What to Serve With Santa Belly Brownies?

Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream

Nothing goes better with fudgy brownies than a warm mug of hot cocoa topped with fluffy whipped cream or marshmallows.

Peppermint Ice Cream

The minty chill of peppermint ice cream creates a refreshing contrast to the rich brownie base.

Spiced Apple Cider

A cozy pairing that brings out the cinnamon and nutmeg warmth of the holiday season.

Eggnog Latte

For a more grown-up option, the creamy spices in an eggnog latte pair beautifully with chocolatey sweets.

Classic Sugar Cookies

If you’re building a dessert table, sugar cookies add a crisp, buttery texture to balance out the soft brownies.

Cranberry Orange Loaf

The tartness from cranberry and citrus brightens the richness of brownies for a well-rounded dessert spread.

Salted Caramel Popcorn

A sweet-and-salty snack that plays well with chocolate and adds a fun crunch to the mix.

Creamy Vanilla Pudding

Mild and smooth, vanilla pudding tones down the boldness of the brownie and makes for a creamy combo.

Want More Holiday Dessert Ideas?

If you love these Santa Belly Brownies, you’ll probably enjoy these other festive recipes:

• Churro Cheesecake Donut Cookies for a warm, spiced twist.
• Lemon Truffles Recipe if you’re into creamy citrus bites.
• Classic French Butter Cookies for a buttery melt-in-your-mouth finish.
• Peanut Butter Smores Sandwich Cookies with gooey nostalgia.
• Easter Chocolate Lasagna for layered chocolate indulgence even beyond the springtime.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you use fondant or gel for the belt? Did the kids go wild with sprinkles? I love hearing how everyone personalizes these treats.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks and seasonal treats on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for joyful eating.

Conclusion

Santa Belly Brownies aren’t just another holiday dessert—they’re a statement. Rich, festive, and surprisingly simple to make, they bring fun and flavor in every bite. Whether you’re baking with little helpers or whipping up a quick treat for a party, these brownies are always a hit. Dress up your dessert table and spread the holiday spirit one square at a time.

Print

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?