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If you’re dreaming of a festive treat that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat, this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s a joyful twist on classic brownies, transforming them into charming edible Christmas trees that bring the holiday spirit to your kitchen and your table. Rich, fudgy chocolate brownies get topped with luscious green frosting, crunchy pretzel trunks, and colorful sprinkles, making each bite a celebration of flavor and fun. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or a cozy family night, these Christmas tree brownies will instantly become a seasonal favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe starts with simple, everyday ingredients, each lending its unique touch to create the perfect balance of moistness, richness, and festive flair. From the buttery base to the vibrant frosting and crunchy decorations, every component plays an essential role.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: Adds moistness and deep buttery flavor to the brownies.
- 1 cup sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps with brownie texture.
- 2 large eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives the brownies their rich chocolate essence.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: Adds the right amount of density without heaviness.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances chocolate taste.
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder: Provides a tender crumb by helping the brownies rise just enough.
- 1 cup chocolate chips: Melts throughout for pockets of gooey chocolate joy.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Key for creating fluffy, creamy frosting.
- 6 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfect consistency.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses the frosting with rich, aromatic flavor.
- 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream: Adjusts frosting texture to smooth and spreadable.
- 6-12 drops green food coloring: Gives the frosting that classic Christmas tree shade.
- 1 cup pretzel sticks: Provide crunchy “trunks” to complete the tree look.
- 1/4 cup rainbow confetti sprinkles: Bring colorful sparkle and fun.
- 2 tablespoons yellow star sprinkles: Make perfect edible tree toppers.
How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13 inch baking pan. Lining it with parchment paper makes it easy to lift the brownies out when they’re ready. This simple preparation step sets the foundation for smooth baking and clean edges.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Brownie Batter
In a large bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is silky smooth to ensure the batter mixes evenly. Gradually add cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder while continuing to whisk gently. Lastly, fold in the chocolate chips that will melt in pockets as the brownies bake, adding a gooey texture that’s simply irresistible.
Step 3: Bake Your Brownies
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan, spreading it smoothly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The smell of chocolate filling your kitchen will have you eagerly waiting! Check doneness with a toothpick: it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs for that perfect chewy brownie texture.
Step 4: Cooling Time Before Decorating
Allow your brownies to fully cool in the pan before attempting to remove or cut them. This step is crucial to keep their shape and to make sure your frosting won’t melt into the brownie base. Patience here equals success when it’s decorating time.
Step 5: Cut Into Festive Tree Shapes
Cut the cooled brownies into three long rectangles first. Then slice each rectangle into triangles. These triangles will become the Christmas trees, so even if your cuts aren’t perfectly uniform, that homemade charm shines through beautifully.
Step 6: Prepare the Green Frosting
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, whip softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and enough heavy cream to reach a smooth, pipeable consistency. The star of the show is the vibrant green food coloring, which you’ll add drop by drop until your frosting resembles fresh pine needles on a Christmas tree.
Step 7: Frost and Decorate Your Brownie Trees
Pipe the green frosting onto each brownie triangle in a playful zig-zag pattern that mimics pine branches. Press pretzel sticks into the base for the trunks, then sprinkle over the rainbow confetti and top each tree with a bright yellow star sprinkle. These finishing touches bring your Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe to life with color and texture.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra sprinkle of holiday cheer, consider dusting the finished brownies with a little powdered sugar to emulate snow. You could also add a drizzle of melted white chocolate to enhance the festive look and add a bit of sweet creaminess alongside the rich brownie base.
Side Dishes
Serve these adorable brownies with a side of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for contrast. A hot cup of cocoa or spiced holiday tea also pairs wonderfully, creating a cozy experience that will warm up any winter gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
Display the brownies on a large wooden board or a holiday-themed platter. Arrange them in a clustered forest pattern to wow your guests visually. For parties, place each brownie in a decorative cupcake liner to make individual servings tidy and extra festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store the Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. This keeps the brownies moist and the frosting fresh, so you can enjoy your festive treat even after the big event.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these brownie trees in advance, freeze un-frosted brownies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to three months. Thaw completely before frosting and decorating to preserve the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
For a warm treat, gently reheat individual brownies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Avoid heating the frosting directly to prevent melting; remove frosting first if you want a warm brownie with cool frosting on top.
FAQs
Can I use boxed brownie mix instead of making batter from scratch?
Absolutely! While the scratch batter in this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe is wonderfully rich, using a quality boxed mix can save time and still deliver delicious results. Just follow the package instructions and then proceed with cutting and decorating as described.
What if I don’t have green food coloring?
You can try natural alternatives like spinach or matcha powder to tint your frosting green, but it might not be as vibrant. Alternatively, a mint-flavored frosting can add a delightful holiday twist with its fresh taste!
How do I make sure my frosting is the right consistency?
Start with less heavy cream and add it a tablespoon at a time until you get a smooth, pipeable texture. If the frosting feels too runny, simply add a bit more powdered sugar. It’s all about balancing to a consistency that holds shapes but is easy to work with.
Can I make these brownies gluten-free?
Yes, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend marked for one-to-one substitution. Just ensure your cocoa powder and other ingredients are gluten-free as well. You’ll still get the rich fudgy texture that makes this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe so wonderful.
How long do these brownie trees keep decorated?
Once decorated, the Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe are best enjoyed within two days, especially if stored at room temperature. The frosting may start to soften or sweat over time, so fresh is always best for that perfect holiday presentation.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe is truly a joyful way to bring holiday magic into your kitchen and onto your dessert plate. Easy to make and endlessly charming, these tree-shaped treats combine classic chocolate goodness with playful seasonal decoration. Whether for gifting, party sharing, or cozy nights in, I promise these brownies will spark smiles and maybe even become a beloved tradition. So grab your mixing bowl, get creative with frosting, and let the festive baking begin!
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Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Christmas Tree Brownies, featuring rich, fudgy chocolate brownies cut into tree shapes and decorated with vibrant green frosting, pretzel stick trunks, and colorful sprinkles for a fun and delicious holiday treat.
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–4 tablespoons heavy cream
- 6–12 drops green food coloring
Decorations
- 1 cup pretzel sticks (for trunks)
- 1/4 cup rainbow confetti sprinkles
- 2 tablespoons yellow star sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the brownies.
- Make Brownie Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder, whisking to incorporate well. Fold in the chocolate chips gently to distribute them evenly.
- Bake Brownies: Pour the brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the brownies are perfectly baked.
- Let Cool: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan. This step is important to ensure the brownies firm up and are easier to cut without crumbling.
- Cut into Triangles: Once cooled, lift the brownies out using the parchment paper. Cut the brownies into 3 long rectangles, then cut each rectangle into triangular shapes that resemble Christmas trees.
- Make Frosting: Using a stand mixer, cream the softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add green food coloring drop by drop until you achieve the desired holiday green shade.
- Frost Brownies: Pipe the green frosting in a zig-zag pattern over each brownie triangle to create the look of Christmas tree branches.
- Decorate: Place pretzel sticks at the base of each triangle to serve as tree trunks. Sprinkle rainbow confetti and yellow star sprinkles over the frosting to add festive, colorful decorations that mimic lights and stars.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy removal of brownies from the pan.
- Allow brownies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Adjust green food coloring quantity to get the preferred shade for frosting.
- Substitute pretzel sticks with small cookie sticks if preferred.
- Store frosted brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
