Football-Shaped Brownies
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Whenever we have friends over to watch the game, these Football-Shaped Brownies are always a hit. The brownies bake up fudgy and rich, and those white icing laces make them look like mini footballs. They’re fun, festive, and way easier to make than they look. Everyone loves grabbing one during halftime.
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I make these for Super Bowl parties, tailgating, and football gatherings when I need something kid-friendly and party-ready. They’re fun for both kids and adults, and way easier than complicated themed desserts. They stay fresh in an airtight container at room temp for about 3 days, or freeze them for up to 2 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Football-Shaped Brownies with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Let me walk you through how simple these football brownies really are.
Prep the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. The parchment paper makes lifting the whole brownie slab out effortless, which is key for clean cuts later.
I like using this oven thermometer to make sure my oven temperature is accurate.
Mix the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the brownie mix, vegetable oil or melted butter, water, and eggs. Stir everything together with a wooden spoon or spatula until the batter is smooth and fully blended.
Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. I always use my offset spatula for this because it glides across the batter smoothly and reaches into the corners without creating air pockets.
Bake according to the package directions, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center. A cake tester is what I use here because the thin metal probe slides in and out cleanly without leaving big holes in the brownies.
You want it to come out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. That’s when you know you’ve hit the perfect fudgy texture without overbaking.
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Starbucks Cake Pops
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ Chocolate Mousse
∙ Matcha Tiramisu
...and much more!
Cool and Cut
Lift the entire brownie slab out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and set it on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, use a football-shaped cookie cutter to cut out brownie shapes. I use this football cookie cutter because the sharp edges cut cleanly through dense brownies without squishing them.
Gather any scraps and gently press them back together to cut more shapes, so nothing goes to waste.
Make the Icing
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth and pipeable. I grab a fine mesh flour sifter for sifting powdered sugar, first because it eliminates lumps and makes the icing silky-smooth.
If the icing feels too thick, add milk a teaspoon at a time until it reaches the consistency you want.
Pipe the Laces
Transfer the icing to a piping bag or a small zip-top bag with one corner snipped off. Pipe straight lines and short crossbars onto each brownie to create football laces.
The icing sets within about 15 minutes, and then your football brownies are ready to serve.
Serve and Enjoy
Arrange the brownies on a platter for game-day parties, or pack them in a container for tailgating or potlucks. I always use my sheet pan carrier because it keeps the brownies secure during transport, and the clear top lets everyone see the football designs.
The icing stays intact during transport, and the brownies hold their shape beautifully. You can also stick small team flag toothpicks into each brownie for an extra festive touch, making them even more fun to grab and eat. Enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- 1 box milk chocolate brownie mix
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 large eggs
For the icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 tablespoon milk plus more as needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9 × 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, vegetable oil or melted butter, water, and eggs. Stir until smooth and fully blended.1 box milk chocolate brownie mix, ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter, 3 tablespoons water, 3 large eggs
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake according to the package directions, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment paper and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, use a football-shaped cookie cutter to cut out brownie shapes. Gather and re-press scraps if needed.
- In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar and milk until smooth and pipeable. Add additional milk a teaspoon at a time if needed.1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk
- Transfer the icing to a piping bag or a small zip-top bag. Pipe icing onto the brownies to create football laces.
Video
Notes
- Use parchment paper overhang: Leave at least 2 inches of parchment hanging over the sides of your pan so you can lift the entire brownie slab out cleanly without crumbling the edges.
- Let brownies cool completely: Cutting warm brownies will make them fall apart and create messy, uneven shapes. Give them at least an hour to cool fully before using the cookie cutter.
- Re-press the scraps: After cutting out football shapes, gather all the leftover brownie pieces and press them together firmly on your cutting board. You can usually cut 2-3 more footballs from the scraps.
- Adjust the icing consistency carefully: Add milk just a teaspoon at a time, as the icing goes from too thick to too runny quickly. You want it to flow smoothly through the piping tip but hold its shape once piped.
- Pipe the icing while it’s fresh: it sets quickly, so work in small batches if you’re decorating a lot of brownies. If the icing starts to thicken in your piping bag, gently knead it to loosen it.
- Flash-freeze before stacking: If you’re freezing multiple brownies, freeze them on a baking sheet for 1 hour, then transfer them to a container so the icing doesn’t smudge and the brownies don’t stick together.
Nutrition
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Starbucks Cake Pops
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ Chocolate Mousse
∙ Matcha Tiramisu
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Keep the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, layering them between sheets of parchment paper so the icing doesn’t smudge. I always use this airtight glass storage container because it’s airtight and stackable, keeping the brownies fresh and protecting the icing from damage.
If you want them to last longer, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to serve frozen brownies, let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
The texture stays perfectly fudgy, and the icing holds up beautifully after freezing. If you want to refresh them, you can microwave them for 10 seconds, but they’re honestly just as good straight from the freezer.
What to Serve With Football-Shaped Brownies
Serve them on a platter alongside other game-day snacks, such as buffalo chicken dip, loaded nachos, or a cheese-and-pretzel board. They’re sweet enough to balance out all the savory finger foods, and the chocolate hits the spot after everyone’s had their fill of wings and chips.
You can also set up a dessert station with these brownies, cookies decorated in team colors, and a big bowl of popcorn drizzled with chocolate and sprinkles. Kids love picking their own treats, and it keeps the dessert spread interactive and fun throughout the game.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
I think you’ll also love these other easy game day desserts.
- Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies
- Sourdough Pop Tarts
- Apple Fritters
- Apple Pie Cupcakes
About the Author
Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
