Grinch Brownie Bites (Mini Brownies with Green Buttercream Frosting)

If you love Grinch brownies but want something easier to serve at a Christmas party, these Grinch brownie bites are the answer. They start with a simple boxed brownie mix. These Grinch brownie bites are baked so every single one comes out perfectly fudgy in the middle, then topped with a swirl of homemade green frosting and a tiny heart for that unmistakable Grinch look. These mini brownie bites are ready faster than a full pan of brownies and are perfect for a Christmas cookie tray, a classroom party, or a holiday cookie exchange.

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Why this is the best Grinch Brownie Bites recipe

It's a simple recipe. These Grinch brownie bites start with rich chocolate brownies and are topped with fluffy green buttercream frosting and a little red heart. The ingredients are easy to find, and you don't need anything complicated to make an adorable Christmas dessert.

Grinch brownie bites are easy to make. Baking the brownies in a mini muffin pan gives you perfectly portioned little brownie bites without having to cut a pan of brownies into squares. Once they're cool, just pipe the homemade green frosting on top of the brownies and add red candies to turn each one into a tiny Grinch treat.

Grinch brownie bites taste amazing. The rich, fudgy chocolate brownies pair beautifully with sweet, creamy buttercream frosting. You get plenty of chocolate in every bite, along with just enough frosting to make these mini brownies feel extra special.

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Grinch brownie bites are so much fun for Christmas. These Grinch brownie bites are cute enough for a Christmas party, classroom treat, holiday dessert tray, or Grinch movie night. The bright green frosting and tiny red hearts make them instantly recognizable without requiring complicated decorating skills.

Grinch brownie bites are easy to serve. Because they're already portioned into individual mini brownies, there's nothing to slice or plate before serving. Just arrange them on a platter and let everyone grab one or two.

What you'll need to make the best Grinch Brownie Bites

Equipment

• Mini muffin pan - You need this to make the brownie bites. If you use a standar muffin pan or some other pan, your brownies will be too big. You will also have to adjust the bake time if they are bigger.
• Cooking spray - So that your brownies don't stick to the pan.
• Electric mixer - You can make the brownie batter with a whisk if you want to, but it would be quite difficult to make the homemade buttercream frosting without a mixer.
• Piping bags - You can also use a zippered plastic bag with the corner cut off.

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See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.

Ingredients

For the mini brownie bites

• Brownie mix plus ingredients to prepare - You're going to make the brownie mix exactly as the box instructs.

For the Grinch frosting

• Butter - This needs to be softened but not melted. If it's melted, it will not work. The best way to achieve this is to leave the butter sit out on the counter for a couple of hours.
• Powdered sugar - This may also be called confectioner's sugar or 10x sugar. It's all the same thing.
• Whole milk - You may not need this. It's just to thin the frosting if it is too thick.
• Vanilla bean paste - I love vanilla bean paste for its strong, rich vanilla flavor. Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol for a long time and then removing the beans and using just the liquid. Vanilla bean paste is made from highly concentrated vanilla extract, then crushed vanilla beans are added to the thick, syrupy paste. Vanilla bean paste has an intense vanilla flavor that I love in baked goods, ice cream, and everything in between. You can use an equal amount of pure vanilla extract if you don't have vanilla bean paste.
• Salt
• Neon green gel food color - This is the perfect Grinch color.
• Heart-shaped sprinkles - Everything Grinch needs a heart, right?

How to make easy Grinch Brownie Bites

For the mini brownie bites

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick spray.
2. Prepare the brownies according to package directions. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and fill the spaces ¾ full with brownie batter.
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3. Bake in the oven for 12-15 min, until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the center brownie bites comes out clean.
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For the Grinch frosting

1. Beat together the butter and powdered sugar.
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   Add vanilla, salt, and a generous amount of neon green gel food coloring. Mix until well combined. If needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk if the frosting is too thick. Add just enough to get it to a smooth consistency.
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2. Add the frosting to a piping bag and snip off the tip.
3. Add a little swirl of frosting to the top of each brownie bite,
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   and top with a heart sprinkle.
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Substitutions & variations

You can use your favorite homemade brownie recipe or boxed brownie mix for these Grinch brownie bites. If you're using a mix, prepare it according to the package directions and be careful not to overbake the mini brownies since they'll cook much faster in the smaller pan.

If you don't want to make homemade buttercream, you can use canned vanilla frosting instead. Tint it with green gel food coloring until you get a bright Grinch green. Gel food coloring works better than liquid food coloring because you can get a vivid color without making the frosting too thin.

For the classic Grinch look, top each brownie bite with a single red heart sprinkle or candy heart. If you can't find heart sprinkles, use red M&M's, red candy-coated chocolates, or a small amount of red decorating icing.

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You can also decorate the brownies with red and green Christmas sprinkles for an extra festive look. For a snowy version, sprinkle a little white sanding sugar over the green buttercream.

For an even more chocolatey brownie bite, stir mini chocolate chips into the brownie batter before baking. You could also add peppermint extract to the frosting or sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top for a chocolate-peppermint Christmas variation.

For a different spin on Grinch brownie bites, place Oreos in the bottom of the mini muffin pan and add the brownie batter on top. You could also crush up some mint Oreo cookies and mix that into the brownie batter or add a teaspoon of peppermint extract into the frosting.

Storing leftover Grinch Brownie Bites

Once the frosting has firmed up, place leftover Grinch brownie bites in an airtight container. If you're stacking them, place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between the layers so the frosting doesn't stick to the brownies above it.

Because of the buttercream frosting, I recommend storing the brownie bites in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let them sit at room temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes before serving so the brownies and frosting can soften again.

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You can also freeze Grinch brownie bites for longer storage. Place them in the freezer in a single layer until the frosting is firm, then transfer them to an airtight freezer container with parchment paper between the layers. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

If you're making these ahead for a Christmas party, you can also freeze the unfrosted brownie bites and decorate them after they thaw. That keeps the buttercream looking fresh and makes them easier to store.

Looking for more Grinch recipes?

Try these Grinch pistachio cupcakes.

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Check out more delicious Brownie recipes

• Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies
• Microwave Brownie in a Mug
• Caramel Turtle Brownies
• Brownies with Peanut Butter Frosting
• Reese's Pieces Peanut Butter Brownies
• The Best Cocoa Powder Brownies Recipe
• Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies (AKA PB Cream Cheese Brownie Bars)
• Cherry Cheesecake Brownies
• Cast Iron Skillet Brownie
• Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza

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