Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8×8 inch square baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to make the brownies easier to lift out once they are finished baking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Whisk them together by hand until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This ensures a consistent texture throughout the brownie.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the alcohol-free vanilla extract. Mixing the eggs thoroughly at this stage helps create that desirable crackly top on your Christmas Brownies.
Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Use a spatula to gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the brownies tough rather than fudgy.
Gently fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly into the corners. Top the batter with a generous layer of red and green sprinkles to give them their festive holiday look.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. This patience pays off with clean, sharp edges.
