Tasty Football Shaped Brownies Recipe

If you ask me, football-shaped brownies are a genius way to score points with any crowd.

These fun treats take your classic fudgy brownie recipe and turn it into something perfect for game day celebrations. The chocolate base gets cut into mini football shapes, then decorated with simple white frosting to create those signature lacing details.

They’re easy enough to make with kids helping in the kitchen, and the final product always brings smiles to everyone’s faces. The combination of rich chocolate and sweet icing is exactly what you want at any sports-watching party.

It’s a playful twist on a classic dessert that’s sure to be a hit, whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or just want to bring something special to your next tailgate.

What Kind of Brownie Mix Should I Use?

When it comes to boxed brownie mixes, not all are created equal – but the good news is that most major brands will work well for these football-shaped treats. The key is choosing a mix that makes fudgy rather than cakey brownies, since these will hold their shape better when cut into football shapes. Basic chocolate brownie mixes from brands like Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, or Ghirardelli all make great options for this recipe. If you want to take things up a notch, look for a mix that includes chocolate chips or chunks already in the mix, which will add extra richness to your finished brownies. Just be sure to follow the package directions exactly for the added ingredients (usually oil, water, and eggs) to get the right consistency.

Options for Substitutions

Need to make some swaps? Here are some helpful substitutions for this fun football-themed treat:

• Brownie mix: While boxed mix makes this recipe quick and easy, you can use your favorite homemade brownie recipe instead. Just make sure it yields enough for a 9×13 inch pan.
• Heavy cream: For the ganache, you can use half-and-half or whole milk, though the ganache won’t be quite as rich. If using milk, reduce the amount to 1/4 cup and add 2 tablespoons of butter.
• Semisweet chocolate chips: Dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars work great here. Milk chocolate can be used too, but reduce the cream to 1/4 cup since it’s softer.
• Baileys Irish Cream: You can skip the Baileys and use vanilla extract instead (1 teaspoon), or try other flavored liqueurs like Kahlua or Amaretto. For an alcohol-free version, use 2 tablespoons of coffee or vanilla coffee creamer.
• Icing sugar: This is pretty essential for the right texture, but if you’re in a pinch, you can make your own by blending regular sugar in a food processor until powdery.
• Milk: Any type of milk works here – whole, 2%, or even non-dairy options like almond or oat milk. Just add it gradually until you get the right consistency.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making football-shaped brownies is overbaking, which can make them too crumbly to cut into clean shapes – check them 5 minutes before the suggested baking time and remember that brownies continue cooking slightly after removal from the oven.

When cutting the football shapes, wait until the brownies are completely cool (at least 2 hours), and use a sharp knife dipped in hot water between cuts to get clean edges without crumbling.

A common mistake with the ganache topping is adding hot cream to the chocolate too quickly – instead, pour it slowly while stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from seizing up or becoming grainy.

For the decorative white “laces” made with icing, many bakers pipe them on while the ganache is still wet – waiting until the chocolate coating has fully set (about 30 minutes) will give you much neater, more defined lines that won’t sink or blur.

What to Serve With Football Brownies?

These football-shaped brownies are perfect for game day snacking and taste even better with some fun accompaniments! A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side creates that classic brownie sundae experience, while a drizzle of caramel sauce or chocolate syrup adds an extra special touch. Since these treats are rich and chocolatey, I like serving them with cold milk or hot coffee to balance things out. For a party spread, set up a simple brownie bar with different toppings like whipped cream, chopped nuts, and fresh berries so everyone can customize their own dessert.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These football shaped brownies stay fresh when kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Place a piece of wax paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. For best results, keep them away from direct sunlight or heat to avoid melting the chocolate decorations.

Refrigerate: If you live in a warm climate or want them to last longer, pop these treats in the fridge in a sealed container for up to a week. The Baileys Irish Cream in the ganache actually helps keep them extra moist!

Freeze: Want to make these ahead for game day? These brownies freeze really well for up to 2 months. Just wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to serve, thaw them overnight in the fridge or for about 2 hours at room temperature.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	20-30 minutes
Total Time	65-80 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1800-2100
• Protein: 15-20 g
• Fat: 90-100 g
• Carbohydrates: 220-250 g

Ingredients

• 1 package brownie mix, along with required ingredients
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons baileys irish cream
• 2/3 cup icing sugar
• 3 1/2 teaspoons milk

Step 1: Prepare and Bake Brownies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line a 9″x13″ baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Prepare the brownie mix according to the package instructions.

Bake the brownies in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, which should take about 20 to 23 minutes.

Once baked, let the brownies cool completely in the pan.

Step 2: Cut and Arrange Brownies

Once the brownies have cooled, use a football-shaped cookie cutter to cut out brownies from the baked slab.

Carefully place these brownie shapes on a cooling rack that has been set over a baking sheet.

This setup will help catch any drips when you coat the brownies later.

Step 3: Make the Ganache

Place semisweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl.

In a separate container, microwave cream until it is hot, approximately 40 seconds.

Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 3 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt.

Stir the mixture until it is creamy and lump-free.

Then, add Baileys and mix until the ganache is smooth.

Step 4: Coat the Brownies

Dip each football-shaped brownie into the Baileys ganache, ensuring it is fully coated.

Place the coated brownies back on the cooling rack.

Put the entire setup into the refrigerator and allow the ganache to set for about 30 minutes.

Step 5: Prepare and Apply the Icing

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and milk, stirring until thoroughly mixed to create a smooth icing.

Transfer the icing into a piping bag or resealable plastic bag, cutting a very small hole at the tip.

Use the icing to pipe on the laces of the footballs.

Once decorated, return the tray of brownies to the refrigerator for an additional 5 minutes to let the icing harden.