Festive, fudgy, and fun, these Christmas Tree Brownies are the perfect holiday treat to bake with family or serve at your Christmas dessert table. With a rich chocolate base, creamy green frosting, and colorful decorations, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious.
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Why You’ll Love These Christmas Tree Brownies
You’ll love these Christmas Tree Brownies because they’re as easy as they are adorable. Each piece has that deep chocolate flavor everyone craves, topped with smooth, buttery frosting that melts in your mouth. The colorful sprinkles and candy cane “trunks” make them instantly festive, perfect for kids and adults alike.
These brownies are ideal for Christmas parties, classroom celebrations, or edible gifts. You can customize them with different toppings or use a boxed mix when time is tight. Plus, they’re a fun kitchen project for kids, letting everyone decorate their own tree.
Because they’re both chewy and creamy, these brownies please every texture lover at the table. Their look always draws smiles, and the taste keeps people coming back for seconds. They’re the perfect mix of holiday joy and homemade comfort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Brownies
You’ll need 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup packed light brown sugar for that deep sweetness. Use 4 large eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract for richness. Combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. High-quality cocoa makes a big difference, giving the brownies that rich, fudgy taste.
If you like extra indulgence, add 1 cup mini chocolate chips. They melt slightly while baking and make each bite even better.
For the Frosting
Use 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 4 cups sifted powdered sugar. Add ¼ cup milk or cream and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Mix until fluffy and light. Then, add green gel food coloring a little at a time until you reach your favorite Christmas shade. If the frosting feels too thick, mix in a bit more milk for smooth piping.
For Decoration
You’ll need sprinkles or edible glitter, star-shaped candies or yellow M&Ms, and mini candy canes cut in half. Optional extras include white chocolate drizzle or icing for a frosty look. The best part is getting creative—every brownie tree can look unique.
How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies
Prepare and Mix the Brownie Batter
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper. Melt the butter and whisk in both sugars and vanilla. Let it cool slightly before adding eggs, one at a time.
In another bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir in mini chocolate chips if you like. Avoid overmixing to keep the brownies tender.
Bake to Fudgy Perfection
Pour the batter into your pan and smooth the top evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes. Test by inserting a toothpick—moist crumbs mean it’s done. Let the brownies cool completely before cutting. Parchment paper helps lift them out easily without breaking.
Make the Green Frosting
While brownies cool, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in vanilla and milk. Beat until fluffy, then tint with green food coloring. Adjust consistency with more milk or sugar as needed.
Cut and Shape the Brownies
Once cooled, lift brownies out and trim edges if desired. Cut into 12–15 triangles to form trees. For cleaner slices, use a sharp hot knife and wipe between cuts.
Decorate Like a Pro
Attach half a mini candy cane to each triangle base with frosting for the tree trunk. Pipe green frosting in zigzags across each brownie. Sprinkle with candies, stars, and glitter. You can drizzle white chocolate for extra charm. Let them set for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Tree Brownies
For best results, always measure ingredients carefully and avoid overmixing. Chilling the brownies before cutting makes cleaner slices. Use a hot knife for precise shapes and decorate in stages—large elements first, then sprinkles.
If you’re short on time, a boxed brownie mix and store-bought frosting work fine. Customize by adding peppermint or crushed candy toppings, similar to peppermint brownies rich fudgy Christmas. Always let frosting set before serving for neat presentation.
Storage and Make-Ahead Options
Store decorated brownies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze undecorated triangles wrapped in plastic for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw completely, then decorate.
To keep texture perfect, serve at room temperature. They’ll stay fudgy inside and creamy on top. This recipe is make-ahead friendly, so you can prep and decorate the day before a party.
Creative Variations and Add-Ins
Try a peppermint twist by adding crushed candy canes to the batter. You can also swap in red or white frosting for other holiday themes. Kids love adding chocolate shavings or colorful mini marshmallows.
For a party platter, mix in other festive sweets like classic thumbprint cookies for Christmas or Christmas candy cane cookies recipe. These fun options create a dessert table everyone will adore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people love brownies?
Because they’re rich, chewy, and full of chocolate flavor that feels comforting and indulgent.
What are the 5 ingredient brownies?
Typically butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and cocoa powder—simple and delicious.
Where does the Christmas tree come from?
The Christmas tree tradition began in Germany and spread worldwide as a symbol of holiday joy.
How would you describe brownies?
They’re dense, chewy, and fudgy, often slightly crisp on the edges with a soft, gooey center.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Christmas sugar cookie bars soft and chewy
- cherry snowball cookies holiday recipe
- Christmas crack saltine cracker toffee
Conclusion or Final Thoughts
These Christmas Tree Brownies are a festive way to spread holiday joy. They’re easy, rich, and fun to decorate with kids or friends. Whether you’re gifting them or sharing at a gathering, they bring smiles every time.
For more creative inspiration, visit Pinterest and find holiday dessert ideas that pair beautifully with this recipe.
Christmas Tree Brownies
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan Line with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mixing bowls One for wet, one for dry ingredients.
- electric mixer For whipping frosting until fluffy.
- Piping bag with tip For decorating the brownie trees.
- Spatula Helps fold ingredients gently.
- Whisk Used for blending batter smoothly.
- Knife For trimming and cutting clean triangles.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened, for frosting)
- 4 cups sifted powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk or heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- green gel food coloring
- sprinkles or edible glitter
- star-shaped candies or yellow M&Ms
- mini candy canes (cut in half)
- white chocolate drizzle or icing (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper. Melt the butter, whisk in sugars and vanilla, then cool slightly. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each.
- In a bowl, sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips if desired.
- Pour into the pan and smooth the top. Bake 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely before cutting.
- Beat softened butter for frosting until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in milk and vanilla. Beat until fluffy and add green food coloring to reach the desired shade.
- Lift brownies from pan and cut into 12–15 triangles. Attach half a candy cane at the base for the trunk. Pipe green frosting in zigzags, decorate with sprinkles and stars, and let set for 15–20 minutes before serving.
