If you want a festive treat that brings both joy and flavor to your holiday table, the Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe is a delightful choice. These charming brownie triangles, frosted in vibrant green and adorned with colorful sprinkles, mimic adorable Christmas trees that are as fun to make as they are to eat. This recipe combines the rich, fudgy goodness of classic brownies with festive decorations that turn a simple dessert into a crowd-pleaser for any seasonal celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t worry because this recipe keeps it wonderfully simple, yet every ingredient plays a critical role in delivering that perfect blend of texture, taste, and holiday cheer. With just a few essentials, you’ll create brownies that look dazzling and taste irresistible.
- 1 box of store-bought brownie mix: The base for our brownies ensures fudgy, chocolaty deliciousness with minimal effort.
- ½ container of vanilla icing: Provides a creamy canvas for coloring and decorating your brownie trees.
- Green food coloring: The magic ingredient that turns ordinary vanilla icing into festive green frosting reminiscent of lush Christmas pine.
- Festive sprinkles: Tiny bursts of color that double as ornaments to make each tree uniquely merry.
- Candy canes or pretzel sticks: These add a fun, crunchy tree trunk that completes the look while adding texture.
How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Bake Brownies
Start by preparing your brownie mix exactly as the package instructs. Bake it in a rectangular pan, which will give you easy-to-cut squares for the festive shape later. Let the brownies cool completely so they hold their shape when you decorate.
Step 2: Cut into Trees
Once cooled, slice the brownies into triangles to mimic lovely Christmas trees. This simple step transforms your brownies from everyday chocolate treats into something truly special and seasonally appropriate.
Step 3: Color the Frosting
In a mixing bowl, combine the vanilla icing with green food coloring. Stir thoroughly until the frosting reaches a vibrant green shade that makes your trees come to life. Adjust the color intensity to your liking—it’s part of the fun.
Step 4: Decorate
Use a piping bag or simply spread the green frosting over each brownie triangle. Then sprinkle on festive sprinkles that resemble tree ornaments. This colorful detail makes every brownie playful and inviting.
Step 5: Add Trunks
Carefully insert a piece of candy cane or a pretzel stick into the base of each triangle to create the perfect trunk for your Christmas tree brownies. This finishing touch adds both authenticity and a nice crunch contrast.
Step 6: Optional Extras
For that extra bit of holiday charm, top each tree with a small star-shaped sprinkle or candy. It’s a simple way to elevate the look and bring out the Christmas spirit.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle on additional mini white chocolate chips or edible glitter for a frosty touch. Fresh mint leaves or cranberries on the side also add a pop of color and freshness that complements the rich brownie flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve your Christmas Tree Brownies alongside warm mugs of hot cocoa or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These comforting pairings bring warmth and balance to the chocolaty, sweet brownies, making your dessert experience even cozier.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the brownie trees clustered on a large platter lined with pine sprigs or festive wrapping paper for an eye-catching display. You could also stack them in a tiered dessert stand to create an edible Christmas tree centerpiece that guests will admire and devour.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Christmas Tree Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This preserves their freshness and keeps the frosting stable so they taste just as good when enjoyed later.
Freezing
If you want to save these festive treats for longer, freeze the brownies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for up to a month without losing any of their charm.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen brownies, allow them to thaw at room temperature. If you prefer the brownies warm, microwave them briefly for about 10 to 15 seconds. Just be careful not to melt the frosting too much!
FAQs
Can I make Christmas Tree Brownies from scratch instead of using a mix?
Absolutely! While using a box mix keeps it quick and easy, a homemade brownie recipe will add a personal touch and let you control ingredients. Just bake your favorite recipe in a rectangular pan and follow the decorating steps as usual.
What type of sprinkles work best for decorating?
Small, colorful Christmas-themed sprinkles or even tiny edible pearls look fantastic. They should be light enough not to sink into the frosting but vibrant enough to pop visually as “ornaments.”
Is it okay to use a different color frosting?
Definitely! While green is traditional for Christmas trees, feel free to get creative with colors like white for a snow-covered look or red and gold for a more festive flair. The Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe welcomes your creativity.
Can this recipe be adapted for other holidays?
Yes! Just change the colors and decorations to match the occasion. For example, pastel icing and flower-shaped sprinkles would work beautifully for spring celebrations, turning brownies into seasonal delights year-round.
How do I keep the candy cane trunks from breaking the brownies?
Gently press the candy canes or pretzel sticks into the base to avoid cracking. If your brownies are very crumbly, chill them before inserting trunks to make them sturdier for this decoration step.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe brings a joyful, festive spirit edible enough to warm anyone’s heart during the holidays. Easy to make, fun to decorate, and absolutely delicious, it’s sure to become a favorite tradition for both baking and sharing. Give it a try and watch how quickly these adorable trees disappear from your dessert table!
Print
Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes (depending on brownie mix instructions)
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 brownie trees (depending on size of cuts)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas Tree Brownies are a delightful holiday treat made from classic brownie mix, decorated with green vanilla icing and colorful sprinkles to resemble Christmas trees. Perfect for holiday parties and gifting, they combine the rich, fudgy goodness of brownies with cheerful seasonal decoration.
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 box of store-bought brownie mix (prepared per package instructions)
Frosting
- ½ container of vanilla icing
- Green food coloring, to desired shade
Decorations
- Festive sprinkles
- Candy canes or pretzel sticks (for tree trunks)
- Star-shaped sprinkles or small candies (optional, for tree tops)
Instructions
- Bake Brownies: Prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions and bake in a rectangular pan. Once baked, allow brownies to cool completely to ensure clean cutting and easier decorating.
- Cut into Trees: Using a sharp knife, slice the cooled brownies into triangular shapes that resemble Christmas trees.
- Color the Frosting: In a small bowl, stir the green food coloring into the vanilla icing until you reach the desired shade of green for the ‘tree’ frosting.
- Decorate: Pipe or spread the green icing over each brownie triangle. While the icing is still soft, add festive sprinkles to mimic ornaments on the trees.
- Add Trunks: Carefully insert a piece of candy cane or a pretzel stick into the base of each brownie triangle to serve as the tree trunk.
- Optional Decoration: Place a star-shaped sprinkle or small candy at the top of each tree for an extra festive touch.
Notes
- Ensure brownies are completely cooled before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
- Use sharp, clean knife for precise cutting of triangular tree shapes.
- If desired, add different colored food coloring for a unique take on holiday trees.
- Store decorated brownies in an airtight container to keep fresh.
- This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
