Brownies are a favourite treat all year round. But when you make them in festively decorated tiny baking cups and top them with a chocolate swirl candy, they become Christmas delights. These Elfin Brownie Bites are always popular on my holiday dessert trays, and they may become a tradition in your home too.

Treats that you bring forth only once a year make the holiday season all the more festive. While there’s nothing particularly Christmasy about brownies, when you bake them in tiny petit four cups and adorn them with a chocolate swirl, they quickly become a new holiday tradition. I’ve made a version of these almost every year since since my children were young, and even as adults now they’re always delighted to see them again.

I used to call these miniature brownies, but a more whimsical name seemed in order. Voila, Elfin Brownie Bites!

The Appeal of Elfin Brownie Bites

Children young and old are drawn to these diminutive treats. Who wouldn’t want a little bite of chewy chocolatey goodness with a pop of tartness from dried cranberries? (Okay, some of my Offspring don’t care for cranberries or nuts, so I just leave them out as need be—no problem!)That swirl of chocolate on top only adds to the appeal. These miniature brownies are positively elfin, wouldn’t you say?

These treats work well on a dessert tray following the big holiday feast, or on the serving table at a holiday open house. I like to have at least one chocolate offering and these little bites satisfy that craving quite nicely, even for your guests who are somehow able to limit themselves to just one.

To make your holiday entertaining easier, bake these elfin brownies in advance and freeze them. They’re a little fussier to make than a pan of brownies, but more than make up for that in charm.

In place of the jaunty chocolate topper, you can customize the garnish in any number of ways, like piping on some white chocolate buttercream or dolloping with ganache and sprinkling with sanding sugar. Whatever you choose, something tells me they’ll become part of your holiday tradition, too!

Let’s Make Elfin Brownie Bites

Looking for More Holiday Treats?

Here are three treats that I like to have on my holiday dessert trays, in increasing order of “challenge” to make. Peppermint Meringues are one of the easiest things you can bake and they’re also eye-catching. Cherry Coconut Bars are a timeless treat around here; I’ve been making them since I was a kid. My mom’s recipe for Butter Horns takes me right back to watching Mom make magic in her kitchen. They’re a bit fiddly, but oh so worth it.

^{First Published 2014 11 21
Republished 2022 12 03}