Name: Santa Belly Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 batch brownies, baked and cooled (9×13-inch pan); 2 cups red candy melts (or 2 cups white chocolate chips + red oil-based food coloring); 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or white M&Ms; 12 mini chocolate squares; 1/2 teaspoon edible gold luster dust or edible gold spray; 1 teaspoon corn syrup or edible glue (optional, for sticking decorations)

These Santa Belly Brownies are pure holiday magic in every bite! Fudgy, chocolate-packed brownies are topped with a smooth red ganache, then decorated to look like Santa’s belly—complete with a golden candy belt buckle and sweet white buttons. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, baking for a cookie exchange, or just want to surprise the kids with something festive, these brownies deliver cheer and indulgence.

What makes these brownies truly shine is how easy they are to assemble, yet they look like you spent hours on them. You can use your favorite brownie base—homemade or from a mix—then go wild with the red glaze and edible decorations. They’re rich, playful, and totally Instagram-worthy. Holiday baking just got a whole lot more fun!

What Kind of Brownie Base Should I Use?

The beauty of Santa Belly Brownies is their flexibility. Want to save time? Go for a box brownie mix—just pick one with a fudgy texture for that gooey, rich bite. Prefer from-scratch? A dense, chocolate-forward brownie recipe will give you the most decadent result. Either way, make sure the brownies are fully cooled before decorating to prevent the ganache from melting.

Ingredients for the Santa Belly Brownies

Brownies
You’ll need a batch of brownies, baked and cooled. These serve as the rich, chocolatey base for all the festive toppings.

Red Candy Melts or Tinted White Chocolate
These create that signature Santa suit red topping. Candy melts work best for color consistency.

Heavy Cream
Mixed with the candy melts to make a smooth, spreadable ganache-like layer.

White Chocolate Chips or M&Ms
Used for the “buttons” on Santa’s suit—just a few per brownie.

Mini Chocolate Squares + Gold Luster Dust or Edible Spray
This is how you create the adorable belt buckle. A quick paint of edible gold turns a chocolate square into Santa’s iconic accessory.

Optional: Corn Syrup or Edible Glue
Helps keep your decorations in place, especially if you’re packaging these for gifts.

How To Make the Santa Belly Brownies

Step 1: Bake and Cool Your Brownie Base

Start by preparing your favorite brownie recipe or boxed mix. Bake the brownies in a 9×13-inch pan lined with parchment paper for easy removal. Let them cool completely before decorating—this is key to getting that smooth red topping.

Step 2: Create the Red Ganache Topping

In a heatproof bowl, combine red candy melts (or white chocolate with red food coloring) with a splash of heavy cream. Microwave in short bursts, stirring in between, until smooth and pourable. Let it cool slightly, then pour over the brownies and spread evenly with an offset spatula.

Step 3: Cut Into Neat Squares

Once the ganache has set slightly but is still soft (after about 10-15 minutes in the fridge), use a sharp knife to slice the brownies into clean squares. Wipe the knife between cuts for tidy edges.

Step 4: Add Santa’s Belt Buckle

Take mini chocolate squares and brush them with edible gold luster dust or spray. Place one square in the center of each brownie to mimic Santa’s belt buckle. For extra shine, you can paint the gold on using a drop of clear extract or vodka to activate the luster dust.

Step 5: Decorate With Buttons

Use white chocolate chips or white M&Ms as the buttons. Press two or three above the belt buckle on each brownie. If they’re not sticking well, dab a little corn syrup or edible glue on the bottom.

Step 6: Let Set and Serve

Refrigerate the decorated brownies for 10 minutes to let everything firm up. Then serve on a festive tray or package them in holiday boxes for gifting.

How to Serve and Store Santa Belly Brownies

These festive brownies are perfect for holiday dessert trays, cookie exchanges, and Christmas Eve surprises. Serve them chilled for the cleanest look, or let them come to room temperature for extra fudgy goodness. A little whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce on the side turns them into an even more indulgent treat.

To store, place the brownies in a single layer in an airtight container. Keep them refrigerated for up to 5 days. If you plan to stack them, separate layers with parchment paper to protect the decorations. They also freeze beautifully—just wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frosting instead of ganache?

Yes! If you prefer a sweeter topping, red buttercream or royal icing works well in place of the ganache. Just make sure it’s firm enough to hold the decorations.

Do I need to use gold luster dust?

Not necessarily. You can use edible gold spray or skip the gold altogether and use plain chocolate squares—they’ll still be cute as can be!

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely. These brownies can be made and decorated up to 3 days in advance. Store in the fridge in a sealed container to keep them fresh.

What if I can’t find red candy melts?

No problem—just use white chocolate chips or almond bark with oil-based red food coloring. Water-based colorings can cause the chocolate to seize, so avoid those.

How do I keep the decorations from sliding off?

Make sure your ganache is slightly set before decorating, and use a dab of corn syrup or edible glue for extra security.

Want More Dessert Ideas with a Holiday Twist?

If these Santa Belly Brownies brought a smile to your face, you’ll want to keep the festive spirit going with more creative and colorful treats:

Try these Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes for a fruity, creamy delight in every bite.
These Cotton Candy Cookies are perfect for adding a pastel pop to your dessert table.
Indulge in Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars with their unique flavor and soft texture.
Go nostalgic with Lemon Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies that bring both tang and ease.
And for something extra fun, don’t miss out on the Strawberry Cheesecake Donut Holes.

📌 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 add peppermint extract? Go with a different buckle design? I love seeing the personal twists you bring to these recipes.

Want more holiday ideas like this? Follow me on Pinterest @LifeWithNinaRecipes for daily inspiration and seasonal treats!

Santa Belly Brownies

Author: Nina Johnson
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 brownies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Santa Belly Brownies are festive, fudgy chocolate treats topped with a glossy red ganache and decorated to look like Santa’s iconic suit. With golden chocolate belt buckles and sweet button accents, they’re the ultimate holiday dessert for parties, gifts, or just spreading cheer. Easy to make and even easier to impress!