Listen, I know how crazy the holidays get—between wrapping presents, decorating the tree, and trying to remember where you hid the good cookie cutters. That’s why these three-ingredient holiday brownies are my absolute lifesaver! Just chocolate chips, peanut butter, and eggs—that’s it! No fancy equipment, no endless mixing, just rich, fudgy brownies ready in under 30 minutes. My kids go wild for them, and honestly? So do I. They’re the perfect little treat when you need something sweet fast but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll make them every year—they’re that good.
Why You’ll Love These Three-Ingredient Holiday Brownies
Let me tell you why these brownies are about to become your new holiday obsession:
- So easy a kid could make them – Seriously, just stir three things together and bake. No fancy techniques!
- Pantry-staple ingredients – Chocolate chips, peanut butter, eggs. That’s it! (Okay, maybe a sprinkle of holiday magic.)
- Rich, fudgy perfection – The peanut butter makes them extra decadent, like eating a chocolate-peanut butter hug.
- Instant holiday cheer – The smell alone will have everyone gathered in the kitchen waiting for the first batch.
Ingredients for Three-Ingredient Holiday Brownies
Okay, let’s talk ingredients – and yes, there really are just three! But here’s the thing: with so few components, each one really matters. I’ve learned this the hard way after one unfortunate incident with natural peanut butter (more on that later). Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- 1 cup chocolate chips (I prefer semi-sweet, but dark works great too – just don’t go milk chocolate or the brownies might be too sweet)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (this is crucial – the natural kind separates and makes weird oily brownies. Learned that lesson so you don’t have to!)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature blends smoother, but honestly? I’ve used cold eggs in a pinch and they worked fine)
Oh! And you’ll want to grease an 8×8 baking pan really well – I use butter because it adds flavor, but cooking spray works in a pinch. That’s it! Three ingredients plus a little pan prep, and you’re on your way to brownie bliss.
How to Make Three-Ingredient Holiday Brownies
Alright, let’s get baking! These brownies come together so fast you’ll barely have time to lick the spoon (though I won’t judge if you do). Here’s exactly how I make them:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) – This gives your oven time to get nice and toasty while you mix everything up.
- Mix everything in one bowl – Just dump in the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and eggs. Stir until it looks like thick, glossy batter. No need to melt anything first!
- Pour into your greased pan – Spread it evenly with a spatula. The batter will be thick – that’s perfect!
- Bake for 20 minutes – Set a timer! The edges should look set, but the center will still be slightly soft. A toothpick should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Let them cool completely – I know it’s hard, but trust me – they’ll firm up as they cool and be way easier to cut.
Pro Tips for Perfect Three-Ingredient Holiday Brownies
After making these dozens of times (what? They’re addictive!), here’s what I’ve learned:
- Room temp eggs mix in smoother – I just set them out while preheating the oven
- For super clean cuts, line your pan with parchment paper first
- Don’t overbake! They’ll keep cooking a bit after coming out of the oven
Variations for Three-Ingredient Holiday Brownies
Now, I know these brownies are perfect as-is (Grandma would approve!), but sometimes you wanna mix things up. Here are my favorite easy twists:
- Nut butter swap – Try almond butter for a richer flavor or sunflower seed butter for nut-free friends
- Festive flair – Sprinkle crushed candy canes or holiday sprinkles on top right after baking
- Salty-sweet magic – A pinch of flaky sea salt takes these from good to “Oh my gosh, what did you DO to these?!”
See? Even with just three ingredients, the possibilities are endless! For more simple dessert ideas, check out our desserts section.
Serving and Storing Three-Ingredient Holiday Brownies
Oh, the best part – eating them! These brownies are heavenly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top (my kids call this “brownie soup”). For storage, just pop any leftovers in an airtight container – they’ll stay fresh for about 3 days at room temperature. Want to save some for later? They freeze beautifully for up to a month! Just wrap individual squares in plastic wrap before freezing – perfect for when that sudden brownie craving hits.
Three-Ingredient Holiday Brownies Nutritional Information
Just so you know what you’re biting into – these numbers are estimates since ingredients vary, but here’s the scoop per brownie:
- 180 calories – Worth every single one!
- 10g fat – Mostly the good kind from peanut butter and chocolate
- 18g carbs – Perfect little energy boost
- 4g protein – From the eggs and peanut butter
Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent, right? If you are interested in lower-carb options, you might want to look into easy keto brownie bites.
FAQs About Three-Ingredient Holiday Brownies
Can I use crunchy peanut butter? Oh honey, don’t do it! I learned this the messy way—those peanut chunks make the texture weird and uneven. Stick with creamy for that perfect fudgy bite. (Though if you must add crunch, try mixing in chopped peanuts after!)
Can I double the recipe? Absolutely! Just use a 9×13 pan instead—they’ll bake in about the same time. I do this every Christmas Eve when the whole family descends on my kitchen demanding brownies.
How do I make them extra fudgy? Easy—pull them out at 18 minutes instead of 20! The center should still jiggle slightly. They’ll firm up as they cool but stay gloriously gooey inside. (Pro tip: underbaking by 2 minutes = brownie perfection.)
Rate This Recipe
Tried these brownies? I’d love to hear how yours turned out – leave a comment below and tell me all about it!
PrintIrresistible Three-Ingredient Holiday Brownies in Just 20 Minutes
Easy three-ingredient holiday brownies that are quick to make and delicious.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 9 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix chocolate chips, peanut butter, and eggs in a bowl.
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Let cool before cutting into squares.
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for best results.
- Check doneness with a toothpick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 brownie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
