If you’re looking for a festive treat that instantly brightens up your holiday dessert spread, our Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe is here to save the day. These charming, chocolatey brownie triangles dressed in vibrant green icing and twinkling sprinkles bring so much joy and holiday spirit to any gathering. They combine the rich, fudgy goodness of brownies with playful decoration that’s easy to customize, making them a perfect project for family fun or a simple yet impressive dessert for guests. You’ll love how quick and satisfying it is to transform a classic brownie into a festive centerpiece with just a few ingredients and steps.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients together for this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe is a breeze. Each item plays a crucial role in building flavor, color, texture, and that unmistakable festive look you’re aiming for.
- 1 box of store-bought brownie mix: The foundation for your brownies, easy to prepare and ensures perfect fudgy texture every time.
- ½ container of vanilla icing: Provides the creamy base for your green “tree” frosting that sticks well and tastes sweet.
- Green food coloring: Adds that iconic Christmas tree color, bringing these brownie treats to life with a fun and festive hue.
- Festive sprinkles: Serve as adorable edible ornaments to decorate your trees creatively and add some crunch.
- Candy canes or pretzel sticks: Act as the sturdy “tree trunks,” adding texture and a touch of whimsy to the presentation.
How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Brownies
Start by preparing your brownie mix exactly as the package instructions direct. Pour the batter into a rectangular pan and bake until a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Cooling the brownies completely is key here to make sure they cut cleanly into perfect triangles without crumbling.
Step 2: Cut the Brownies into Trees
Once fully cooled, slice the brownies into triangles so each piece looks like a little Christmas tree. Don’t worry about perfect shapes — rustic charm adds personality and makes every tree uniquely festive.
Step 3: Color the Frosting
In a separate bowl, combine the vanilla icing with green food coloring. Stir well until you achieve that perfect shade of green you want for your Christmas trees. This step lets you control how vibrant or subtle your “needle” color will be.
Step 4: Decorate with Icing and Sprinkles
Use a piping bag, small spatula, or even a clean spoon to spread the green icing evenly across each brownie triangle. Then sprinkle your festive ornaments on top — think colorful nonpareils or tiny star shapes — to resemble Christmas tree decorations. The sprinkles add both texture and cheer.
Step 5: Add the Trunks
Finally, gently press a small candy cane stick or pretzel into the base of each brownie tree as the trunk. This adds a sturdy, edible base that lifts the decoration literally and figuratively!
Step 6: Optional Extra Flair
For an extra touch of holiday magic, top each tree with a star-shaped sprinkle or tiny candy at the peak. It’s these little details that make the Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe feel truly special and ready for the season’s celebrations.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkles are the obvious go-to garnish, but you can also experiment with mini chocolate chips, edible glitter, or tiny candy stars to give your Christmas Tree Brownies that extra sparkle. Fresh mint leaves placed nearby can mimic pine boughs, enhancing the holiday vibe on your serving plate.
Side Dishes
These brownies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla or peppermint ice cream, a glass of cold milk, or even hot cocoa with marshmallows. They’re rich enough to stand alone but also complement other wintery desserts beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your brownies on a festive platter lined with parchment paper or a doily for a polished look. You might create a “forest” of brownies by clustering the trees closely and adding edible gold stars around. Another fun idea is to individually wrap them in cellophane bags tied with ribbon — perfect for favors or gifting!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to keep them moist and fresh. Keep the container away from direct sunlight or heat sources as that can affect the frosting’s texture.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted brownie slices before decorating by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. When ready to use, thaw completely and then frost and decorate. This is a great way to prepare base brownies in advance.
Reheating
Brownies are best enjoyed at room temperature, especially when frosting is involved. If you prefer a warm bite, gently microwave an unfrosted brownie slice for about 10-15 seconds, but avoid heating decorated ones as the frosting may melt and lose its shape.
FAQs
Can I use homemade brownies for this recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade brownies add a personal touch and you can adjust the flavor or texture to your liking. Just ensure they’re fully cooled before cutting and decorating for best results.
What if I don’t have green food coloring?
If you’re out of green food coloring, you can experiment with natural alternatives like matcha powder or spinach juice, though they may slightly change the flavor. Alternatively, use white icing and decorate with plenty of colorful sprinkles to keep things festive.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes! Simply use a gluten-free brownie mix and verify your frosting and sprinkles are gluten-free as well. This way, everyone can enjoy the Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe safely.
What’s the best way to pipe the green icing?
A piping bag fitted with a small round or flat tip works great for precise control, but a plastic sandwich bag with a tiny corner snipped off can also do the trick if you don’t have specialty tools.
How long do decorated brownies last?
Decorated brownies are best eaten within three days since the icing may begin to dry out or get sticky over time. Store them well covered and in a cool area to maintain their festive appeal.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you enjoy making and sharing this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe as much as I do. It’s such a delightful way to bring a bit of magic and sweetness to your holiday gatherings — and it’s simple enough to whip up anytime you want a quick festive treat. Whether for your family, friends, or even just yourself, these charming little trees will definitely make your celebrations merrier and brighter!
Print
Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 brownies, depending on cut size
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holidays with these fun and festive Christmas Tree Brownies. Made from a simple boxed brownie mix, these treats are cut into triangle shapes, iced with vibrant green frosting, and decorated with sprinkles and candy canes or pretzel sticks as trunks. Perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings, they combine easy preparation with charming presentation to delight kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 1 box of store-bought brownie mix (prepared per package instructions)
Frosting and Decoration
- ½ container of vanilla icing
- Green food coloring (to desired shade)
- Festive sprinkles
- Candy canes or pretzel sticks (for tree trunks)
Instructions
- Bake Brownies: Prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions. Pour into a rectangular baking pan and bake until done. Allow the brownies to cool completely to ensure they hold their shape when cut.
- Cut into Trees: Once cooled, slice the brownies into triangle shapes to mimic Christmas trees. Use a sharp knife to make clean cuts for easy decorating.
- Color the Frosting: In a small bowl, mix the vanilla icing with green food coloring until you reach the desired vibrant green shade.
- Decorate: Pipe or spread the green frosting evenly over each triangle-shaped brownie. Sprinkle festive sprinkles on top to resemble ornaments on the tree.
- Add Trunks: Gently insert a piece of candy cane or a pretzel stick at 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 fully cooled before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
- You can substitute green food coloring with natural alternatives like spinach powder if preferred.
- Use mini candy canes for easier insertion as tree trunks.
- Store decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- This recipe is easily customizable with different colored frostings or sprinkles.
