Christmas Tree Brownies Delight

These Christmas Tree Brownies are a delightful way to bring festive cheer without spending hours in the kitchen. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they combine the classic comfort of brownies with a fun, seasonal twist. Whether you use your favorite homemade recipe or a trusty boxed mix, these treats can be dressed up quickly and involve the whole family in decorating.

I first made these when I needed a quick holiday dessert that still felt special. Now they are a tradition in our house and everyone looks forward to decorating their own tree brownie.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray: to keep your pan greased without extra oil
• 1 box brownie mix: plus ingredients called for on box for that chocolatey base, opt for your favorite brand for the best flavor
• Butter: softened to help make the frosting creamy and smooth
• Powdered sugar: provides the sweetness and structure for the frosting
• Pure vanilla extract: adds depth and aroma to the frosting
• Heavy cream: smooths out the frosting and helps with piping consistency
• Kosher salt: a pinch balances the sweetness perfectly
• Green food coloring: to get that perfect Christmas tree shade
• Candy canes: are not only festive but make excellent edible tree trunks
• Sprinkles: add the perfect colorful touch to resemble ornaments

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave a two-inch overhang on the long sides to help lift the brownies out later. Lightly grease the parchment with cooking spray. Prepare your brownie batter according to the package instructions carefully to get a smooth, rich base. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center, it should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet. Allow the brownies to cool completely before decorating.

Make the Frosting:

In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until well combined. Add the vanilla extract, heavy cream, and a pinch of kosher salt. The heavy cream keeps the frosting light enough to pipe but thick enough to hold its shape. Adjust the thickness by adding an extra tablespoon of cream if desired. Add green food coloring slowly until you reach a beautiful evergreen shade. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small star tip for that classic festive look.

Shape the Brownies:

Carefully lift the cooled brownie slab out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into three long rows and then slice each row into six triangles. This will give you a total of 18 individual tree shapes. Clean cuts will help the decorations lay nicely on top.

Add the Trunks:

Cut candy canes into three-inch pieces to serve as the tree trunks. Gently insert one candy cane piece into the base of each brownie triangle so it stands upright and looks like a tree.

Decorate the Trees:

Using your prepared piping bag, pipe zigzagging lines of green frosting starting at the top and working your way down the edges of each brownie triangle, mimicking tree branches. Add colorful sprinkles on top to represent ornaments. This step is where the kids can really get creative and have fun.

Bookmark

My favorite part is the candy cane trunk which adds a satisfying crunch and a hint of minty flavor. One year my kids lined up all the brownies on the table like a forest and insisted on a Christmas tree picnic.

Storage Tips

To keep your brownies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to make them ahead, frost the brownies and then freeze in a single layer separated by parchment paper to avoid sticking. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge and allow some time to come to room temperature for best texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you prefer homemade brownies, any classic fudgy brownie recipe will work well here. For the frosting, cream cheese frosting can be swapped for buttercream for a tangier note but be mindful it may not hold piping shapes as well without stabilizers. If you do not have food coloring, finely chopped fresh herbs like spinach or matcha powder can add a natural green tint, though the flavor will change slightly.

Serving Suggestions

These brownies are fantastic served alongside a warm glass of milk or hot cocoa during a chilly holiday gathering. Arrange them on a festive platter with extra candy canes and holiday ornaments to elevate your dessert table. Smaller bites paired with fruit slices also make for perfect party platters.

Pro Tips

Always make sure the brownies are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting and sliding. I learned the hard way not to skip greasing the parchment – it really makes removing the brownies easier and keeps their shape intact. Use a piping bag with a star tip for decorative edges and a professional look, but if you don’t have one a zip-top bag with a small corner cut off works just fine.

Common Recipe Questions

→ What type of brownie mix is best to use?

A standard boxed brownie mix works well, but you can opt for a homemade batter with your preferred chocolate intensity and texture.

→ How can I achieve the vibrant green frosting color?

Gradually add green food coloring to the frosting until you reach a rich holiday green shade without making it too watery.

→ What’s the best way to cut the brownies into tree shapes?

Cut the cooled brownies into long rows, then slice each row diagonally into triangle shapes resembling small trees.

→ How do candy canes enhance the presentation?

Small candy cane pieces are inserted as trunks at the base of each triangle, adding structure and a festive crunch.

→ Can kids participate in making this dessert?

Absolutely, kids can help decorate by piping frosting and adding sprinkles, making it a fun holiday activity.

→ What alternatives exist for decorating if candy canes aren’t available?

Use pretzel sticks or small cookie sticks for the tree trunks; colorful sprinkles can remain for a festive touch.