Christmas Lights Brownies
Brownies are covered with a layer of buttercream icing and festive Christmas lights decorations. Such a cute and festive Christmas treat!
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- 1 box Family sized Brownies prepared in a 9x13 pan
For the icing:
- 4 cups or more of powdered sugar you might need more powdered sugar if mixture is too wet.
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening or palm shortening
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1 Tbsp. milk
- 1 dash salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract or other flavor extract
Decorations:
- 1 cup melting chocolates
- 2 cups candy coated sunflower seeds in multiple colors
Instructions
- Prepare the brownies according to the box directions in a 9x13 pan and let them cool completely in the pan. Leave them in the pan or turn them out onto a prepared cake board. You'll want to make sure to grease and flour the pan if you want them on a cake board instead of in the pan.
- You will need to use an electric mixer for the next step. In the bowl of a a stand mixer or large bowl add the butter and shortening first. Beat the mixture with an electric hand or stand mixer on high. Turn the mixer off and add in 1/4 of the powdered sugar. Turn on the mixer to a low setting and stir until the powdered sugar is combined.
- Add in the salt, milk and extract. Keep stirring it all on low and add in another 1/4 of the powdered sugar until combined. Once the powdered sugar is stirred in then add the rest of the powdered sugar slowly.
- Once ALL the powdered sugar is combined then whip the mixture on high for a few minutes and check the consistency. If the icing is too wet and runny then add in another cup of the powdered sugar. If not, then you are finished and ready to ice the brownies!
- Add a 1/4 inch thick layer of icing to the top of the brownies. Smooth out the icing with a spatula (an offset spatula is the best). Get it as smooth as you like and then proceed to the decorations.
- Melt the chocolates according to the package directions. If there are no directions then melt the chocolate on high in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds then stir the chocolates. Keep melting the chocolates for 10 seconds in the microwave and stir every time until the chocolate is smooth. Do not overcook the chocolates!
- Pour the melted chocolates into a piping bag and cut just the tip off the bag for piping the "light string" on top of the icing. Pipe out your design onto the top of the icing using a few swirls and turns.
- Next, add the candy coated sunflower seeds on top of the chocolate string in an even design. I used a one up/ one down design for mine, but you can make them all turn down or up if you want. With a little help you can even have the kids help with these too! Enjoy!