The Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe brings a festive twist to classic brownies, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy winter baking afternoons. You'll love how these triangular, frosted treats capture the spirit of the season in every bite - chewy, chocolatey, and beautifully decorated like little edible trees.
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Why This Recipe Works
This Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe balances ease with festive fun. It's approachable enough for first-timers yet yields an eye-catching dessert that tastes homemade and indulgent. The green frosting swirls invite you to be creative, while bite-sized servings feel just right for holiday parties.
- Consistent Texture: Using a classic boxed brownie mix makes results reliably fudgy and moist every time.
- Deep, Balanced Flavor: Chocolate lovers will appreciate how the rich batter pairs perfectly with sweet, buttery frosting.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples and minimal extras mean no hunting down specialty items mid-bake.
- Fast Prep, Big Payoff: Around 45 minutes total gets you delicious, party-ready treats with minimal fuss.
Ingredient Game Plan
Start with quality basics and you're halfway there. The ingredients here are straightforward, but picking the right brands or types can really give your Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe that next-level flavor and texture.
- Brownie Mix: Choose a fudgy or chewy blend for a soft interior and crisp edges; avoid cakey types for the best tree shape.
- Eggs: Large, room temperature eggs help the batter bind smoothly and rise evenly.
- Vegetable Oil: Provides moisture without overpowering flavor; you could swap for melted butter if you prefer richer taste.
- Green Buttercream Frosting: Either homemade or store-bought, tint it to a vibrant green for that classic pine tree look.
- Pretzel Sticks: Opt for thin, crunchy pretzels that hold well as trunks without breaking.
- Star Candies and Sprinkles: Pick your favorites to add a playful, festive touch to each brownie tree.
Quick Note: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Cook Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Step 1 - Prep & Season
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your baking pan well or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This simple step ensures your brownies come out in perfect triangles without crumbling apart. When mixing the batter, whisk until just smooth-overmixing can make the brownies tough. You'll notice the batter thickens nicely, a visual cue it's ready to bake.
Step 2 - Build Flavor
Once your batter is spread evenly in the pan, slide it into the oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges - they'll turn a deep golden brown and give off a toasty aroma signaling it's nearly done. To test, insert a toothpick into the center; you want moist crumbs clinging to it, not wet batter. This balance will keep your brownies fudgy inside, not dry.
Step 3 - Finish for Best Texture
Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan before cutting. This makes it easier to carve clean triangle shapes resembling Christmas trees. I like to mark my cuts gently first with a knife for consistent sizes. Next, fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip with your green buttercream. Swirl frosting in generous layers on each brownie-for a silky, dimensional tree look. Finally, press a pretzel stick gently into the base as the trunk, then top with a star candy and sprinkle on shiny holiday sprinkles.
Pro Moves I Swear By
One of my favorite tricks with this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe is waiting for full cooling before frosting-it makes decorating so much cleaner and the frosting stays put instead of melting away.
- Doneness Cue: Look for firm edges and gentle jiggle in the center to know when brownies are perfectly baked.
- Temperature Trick: Use room-temperature eggs and ingredients for even mixing and better texture.
- Make-Ahead Move: These brownies keep well refrigerated, so you can frost them a day in advance and keep the decorations fresh.
- Skip This Pitfall: Avoid overbaking. It's tempting to cook until dry, but that steals the fudgy charm of these brownies.
Serve It Up
Finishing Touches
When you plate up your Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe, consider adding a thin dusting of powdered sugar around the tray to mimic fresh snow. The little star candies on top catch the light nicely, giving a joyful sparkle. I also like pairing the green frosting with festive-colored sprinkles to evoke holiday cheer at first glance.
Great Pairings
Pair these brownies with a mug of rich hot cocoa or a warm spiced tea to complement the chocolate and sweet frosting. Fresh cranberries or a simple fruit salad can lend a refreshing contrast that keeps the dessert feeling balanced after a holiday feast.
Easy Plating Wins
For casual gatherings, arrange the brownie trees in neat rows on a festive platter. If you want to wow guests, layer them on stands or tiered trays with greens or pine sprigs in between. Simple yet eye-catching - you'll get compliments before the first bite.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Christmas Tree Brownies in an airtight container in the fridge; they stay moist for up to 5 days. Be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to protect the frosting and decorations. The chilled frosting firms up nicely, making for a clean re-slice if needed.
Freezer Notes
If you want to freeze, it's best to do so before frosting-wrap the cooled brownies tightly in plastic wrap and a freezer bag. They keep for about 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then frost and decorate fresh to preserve that moist texture and vibrant look.
Reheating Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe Without Drying Out
To warm leftovers gently without drying, microwave brownies covered with a damp paper towel for 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, heat briefly in a 325°F oven for about 5 minutes wrapped in foil. Avoid prolonged heating which hardens brownies and melts icing awkwardly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! A simple buttercream made from powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and a touch of milk works wonderfully. Adding green food coloring is key to get that classic tree color.
Cool the brownies completely, then score triangle shapes lightly with a knife before cutting. Using a ruler or template can help keep sizing consistent.
Definitely! Mini chocolate chips, edible pearls, or colored sugar crystals all work great for personalizing your festive brownies.
Yes! Just ensure your homemade brownies are slightly dense and fudgy to hold their shape well when cut into tree shapes.
Final Thoughts
I love how this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe makes holiday baking approachable and fun, even for those short on time or fancy skills. The combination of rich chocolate, smooth green frosting, and festive decorations turns a simple brownie into a charming centerpiece. I hope you enjoy making (and eating!) these as much as I do - they bring a little extra joy to my kitchen every season.
PrintComplete Recipe
Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Celebrate the holidays with festive Christmas Tree Brownies, featuring rich, moist brownies decorated with green buttercream frosting, pretzel stick trunks, star candies, and colorful holiday sprinkles. These delightful treats combine classic brownie flavors with creative decorations to bring holiday cheer to your dessert table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 1 box brownie mix
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup water
Decorations
- 1 cup green buttercream frosting
- 8 pretzel sticks
- 8 star candies
- Assorted holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare your baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix batter: In a large bowl, combine the brownie mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Stir until the batter is smooth and well-mixed.
- Bake brownies: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Cool and cut: Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting. Using a sharp knife, cut the brownies into triangle shapes resembling Christmas trees.
- Prepare frosting: If not pre-tinted, tint your buttercream frosting green. Fill a piping bag fitted with a star tip with the green frosting.
- Decorate trees: Pipe green frosting onto each brownie triangle in swirling motions to recreate the look of a Christmas tree.
- Add trunks and ornaments: Press a pretzel stick gently into the base of each frosted brownie triangle to create the tree trunk, then decorate the trees with star candies on top and assorted holiday sprinkles for extra festive appeal.
Notes
- You can use homemade brownie batter instead of boxed mix for a more personalized flavor.
- If green buttercream is not available, add green food coloring to white frosting until you reach your preferred shade.
- For easier cutting, chill the brownies before slicing into tree shapes.
- Substitute pretzel sticks with small waffle cones or chocolate sticks for different trunk textures.
- Ensure brownies are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
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