These fudgy football brownies are rich, chewy, and super chocolatey with the cutest little football design on top. They’re perfect for game day, tailgates, or honestly just because you’re craving something sweet and fun. The base is a thick, fudgy brownie that’s easy to whip up in one bowl—no mixer needed. Then we pipe on simple white icing to make them look like little footballs. Super fun, super good.
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to when I want something sweet that looks festive but doesn’t take hours to make. I brought these to a game-day hangout once, and they disappeared in like five minutes. They’re rich and chewy on the inside, with that slightly crisp top we all love in brownies. Plus:
- You only need one bowl.
- No fancy decorating skills required.
- They hold up well for parties or snacks.
- You can make them ahead!
Servings: 12
Total Time: 40 minutes
What You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- White decorating icing (for the football laces)
Pro Tips
- Don’t overmix the batter—just stir until the flour disappears.
- Let the brownies cool fully before cutting so they hold their shape.
- Use a football cookie cutter for perfect shapes, or cut into rectangles and trim the sides.
- For neat icing lines, use a piping bag or a tube with a small round tip.
- Slightly underbake if you love gooey centers.
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- 8×8 inch baking dish
- Parchment paper
- Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl (for butter)
- Football-Shaped Baking Cookie Cutter (optional)
- Piping bag or icing tube
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap chocolate chips for chopped walnuts or peanut butter chips.
- Add a pinch of espresso powder to boost the chocolate flavor.
- Use store-bought brownie mix for a shortcut (still decorate like footballs!).
- Use gluten-free flour blend if needed.
Make Ahead Tips
You can make these a day in advance! Just bake, let cool, cut, and decorate the next day. Store in an airtight container at room temp.
Let’s Make Fudgy Football Brownies
Step 1: Melt the Butter
Melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan until fully melted but not boiling.
Step 2: Whisk in Sugar, Eggs, and Vanilla
Add 1 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the melted butter. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
Step 3: Stir in Cocoa Powder
Add 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir until fully blended and dark.
Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
Add 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp baking powder. Stir just until combined—do not overmix.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Add 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and fold them into the batter evenly.
Step 6: Pour into Pan and Bake
Pour the batter into a parchment-lined 8×8 inch pan. Spread evenly. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes, until the center is set but slightly fudgy.
Step 7: Cool and Cut
Let brownies cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into football shapes using a cutter or knife.
Step 8: Decorate
Pipe white decorating icing onto each football to make the laces. Use a steady hand or a piping bag.
Leftovers and Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Freeze undecorated brownies up to 2 months.
Macros (Per Serving)
- Calories: 210
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 11g
- Carbs: 28g
- Sugar: 18g
Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
- Melted butter makes the brownies rich and chewy, not cakey.
- Cocoa powder blends better with melted butter and boosts chocolate flavor.
- Sugar + eggs create that crinkly top everyone loves.
- Chocolate chips stay melty inside for extra fudginess.
Common Mistakes
- Overbaking: They’ll turn cakey. Pull them out when the center is just barely set.
- Overmixing: This makes them tough. Stop as soon as the flour disappears.
- Cutting too soon: Let them cool all the way or they’ll crumble.
What to Serve With
- Big glass of cold milk
- Vanilla ice cream
- Fresh berries
- Coffee or hot cocoa
- Sweet snack board for game day
FAQ
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Use a 9×13 inch pan and bake for about 30–35 minutes.
Can I use boxed brownie mix?
Totally! Just decorate it like this recipe.
Can I skip the icing?
Yep, they’ll still taste great—just won’t look like footballs.
Final Thoughts
These fudgy football brownies are the perfect blend of fun and flavor. You get all that rich, chewy chocolate goodness in a cute, game-day-ready form. Try them out, enjoy every bite, and leave a comment to let me know how they turned out—or if you have any questions!
