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Birthdays are always better with a decadent treat; these birthday cake brownies are the ultimate celebration. These fudgy brownies are topped with a layer if fluffy cream cheese frosting and festive rainbow sprinkles, making them perfect for any party or casual get-together. Whether you’re a brownie lover or looking for the ideal birthday dessert, this brownie recipe will surely be a hit.

The Chemistry of Birthday Brownies
The secret to creating the perfect fudgy brownie lies in the butter to flour ratio. Using more butter and less flour results in a dense, chewy texture. The addition of chocolate chips helps create those delightful pockets of melted chocolate throughout the brownies. Whisking the eggs into the mixture provides structure, while the vanilla extract enhances the flavor. Using unsalted butter ensures that the salt level is controlled, allowing for a balanced sweetness.
What is in birthday brownies?
Unsalted Butter
It is always important to use unsalted butter when baking. If you use salted butter, you have no way of knowing how much salt you are adding to your dough or batter and it will result in an overly salted treat.
Butter adds fats to your dough or batter which helps with moistness, flavor and texture. Butter melts at body temperature, which creates a ‘melt in your mouth’ sensation.
When baking with butter, the temperature is important. If the butter is too warm, your treat will melt too fast and overspread in the oven, leaving you with a greasy, flat mess. If your butter is too cold, it will have the opposite problem and not melt down enough, leaving your treat too thick.
Granulated Sugar
Adds sweetness, provides a caramelized flavor and crisp texture. Sugar assists with rising when creamed with butter. It helps add moisture to your treat and helps it evenly spread as it melts into a liquid in the heat of the oven. Sugar also helps with naturally preserving your baked treat.
Eggs
Adds both a protein (egg whites) and fat (egg yolks). The egg whites help with rising because, when foamed, little air pockets get trapped inside the egg white mixture. The water content in egg whites encourages steam while baking, which helps with gluten formation, resulting in nice and thick treats. Egg yolks have emulsifying properties that bring batters and doughs together and help them from collapsing. Unless otherwise specified, always use large eggs.
Vanilla Extract
When using pure vanilla extract, as opposed to imitation flavoring, it will add the deep rich flavor that everybody wants in a treat.
All-purpose Flour
Builds structure as it absorbs liquids and expands. All-purpose flour falls in the middle of bread flour (high in gluten) and cake flour (low in gluten). It’s exactly what it is named, all-purpose, the most universal flour that can be used in most baked goods.
Cocoa Powder
Provides a rich, sweet chocolate flavor. Creates a dark brown color in your treat. Absorbs water in your batter or dough at the same rate as flour. That means, if you add too much, you could end up with a dried, crumbly finished product.
Fine Sea Salt
Enhances flavor, adds balance, masks any bitter flavors. Salt is the most powerful and oldest preservative. Always make sure to use fine sea salt so it melts down at the right speed in the heat of the oven. If you use larger granule salt, it will not melt down fully when baked and will leave salt crystals throughout your treat, making it crunch like you dropped it into sand. All of my favorite salts are from Redmond and I have a discount code for you to get 15% off.
Chocolate Chips
Is a form of chocolate. Chocolate chips are not pure chocolate, they are typically made up of cocoa, sugar, emulsifier and vanilla. Chips are good for baking because they do not melt completely in the oven like pure chocolate would. That way you get confined pockets of chocolate throughout your treat.
Cream cheese
Provides a unique, tangy flavor. When baked it adds moisture to your treat.
Unsalted butter
Often the main ingredient of frosting, it adds structure to your buttercream. It also adds a smooth and velvety texture. Butter melts at body temperature, so it will make your frosting have a melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
Granulated Sugar
Adds sweetness, provides a caramelized flavor and crisp texture. Sugar assists with rising when creamed with butter. It helps add moisture to your treat and helps it evenly spread as it melts into a liquid in the heat of the oven. Sugar also helps with naturally preserving your baked treat.
Sprinkles
Add a festive, colorful touch perfect for birthdays.

How do you make birthday brownies?
Brownies
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Cream the butter and sugar. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of unsalted butter and 2 cups of granulated sugar in a standing mixer. Cream for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This helps create the perfect texture for the brownies.
- Add the wet ingredients. Stir in 4 eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until just incorporated. Be careful not to over-mix.
- Mix in the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips. Gently fold in 2 cups of chocolate chips using a rubber spatula to ensure even distribution.
- Bake the brownies. Dump the brownie batter into the prepared pan, spreading it into an even layer. Bake for 45 minutes or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs. The brownies should have a gooey texture, not dry or cakey.
- Cool the brownies. Allow the brownies to cool for 15 minutes in the pan before adding the frosting.
Frosting
- Make the frosting. In a standing mixer, combine 4 ounces of room temperature cream cheese and 1 cup of unsalted butter. Whip the mixture to soften, then gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Turn the mixer up to high and whip for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost the brownies. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled brownies using an offset spatula. Top with rainbow sprinkles or rainbow jimmies to finish.
- Serve. Slice into squares and enjoy your birthday brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate birthday treat.

How to Store Homemade Brownies
Store any leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, wrap the brownies in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to a month.
You can prepare the brownies ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Frost them just before serving for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions
These birthday brownies are best enjoyed alone or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also make a delicious base for the ice cream sundaes topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and more sprinkles.
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Why make birthday brownies?
These birthday brownies are perfect for any special occasion, especially birthdays. Whether you’re celebrating with family and friends or even treating yourself, these brownies are a fun way to add a festive touch to your day. The combination of fudgy brownies and cream cheese frosting makes them the perfect way to celebrate any event.
This easy recipe is a great way to combine the best of both worlds: the rich, chocolate flavor of a brownie with the festive flair of a birthday cake. These birthday brownies are not only delicious treats but are also versatile – you can add your favorite toppings like peanut butter, white chocolate, or even a swirl of raspberry for a unique twist. Made with unsweetened cocoa powder and chocolate chips, these brownies deliver that gooey texture we all crave in a dessert. Don’t forget the colorful rainbow jimmies on top to make the treat extra special.
Enjoy creating these delightful and delicious birthday brownies that are sure to impress your friends and family. With their rich flavors, gooey texture, and festive sprinkles, these brownies are the perfect way to make any birthday extra special.

FAQs
How do I make my brownies extra fudgy?
To make your brownies extra fudgy, avoid over-baking them. You want the center to remain slightly gooey. Additionally, adding chocolate chips or chunks of dark chocolate to the batter will increase the gooey texture.
Can I use different toppings for these brownies?
Yes, you can experiment with different toppings for these brownies. Add peanut butter, cooking dough, or a drizzle of melted chocolate on top. For a sophisticated touch, consider using espresso powder or dark chocolate ganache.
How do I store birthday brownies?
Store your birthday brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. For the best shelf life, consume within 2-3 days. You can also freeze them, wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to a month.
What occasions are best for serving birthday brownies?
These birthday brownies are perfect for any celebration- a birthday party, a casual get-together, or even a special treat for yourself. They’re also great for ice cream sundaes or as a part of a dessert bar at events.
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Birthday Brownie
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 cups chocolate chips
Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cups powedered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
- Start by creaming your butter and sugar together in a standing mixer. You should cream for 2-3 minutes until the sugar and butter are fluffy and lighter in texture & color.
- Stir in your eggs & vanilla extract until just incorporated
- Pour in the flour, cocoa powder & sea salt. Stir until completely combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Dump your batter into a greased 9×13 pan
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until the center is no longer giggly. You can test by sticking a fork in the center of your brownie pan. If the fork comes out with just a few brownie crumbs, it is ready!
- Cool for 15 minutes before frosting.
- In a standing mixer, add the room-temperature cream cheese and butter and whip to soften.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until combined. Then, turn the mixer up to high and whip for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Spread on top of the brownies and top with sprinkles. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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