Christmas Tree Brownies – The Easiest Festive Dessert You’ll Ever Make
Nothing says “holiday cheer” quite like Christmas Tree Brownies! These adorable, festive treats take a classic fudgy brownie and transform it into a magical forest of edible Christmas trees. With a little green frosting, colorful sprinkles, and candy cane “trunks,” they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, baking with the kids, or looking for a last-minute dessert idea, this easy Christmas Tree Brownies recipe will bring the sparkle to your dessert table.
They look professional, taste decadent, and—best of all—require zero special baking skills. Ready to make your kitchen smell like Christmas? Let’s get started!
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy: Use your favorite brownie mix or homemade brownies—both work perfectly.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Perfect for family baking days and classroom parties.
- Customizable: Decorate with sprinkles, candies, or drizzle white chocolate for snow.
- Perfect for Parties & Gifting: Cute, festive, and irresistible!
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Wow: Turns simple brownies into a holiday showstopper.
🍫 Ingredients
- 1 box of brownie mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as directed)
OR 1 batch of homemade brownies - 1 cup green frosting (store-bought or homemade buttercream)
- Mini candy canes (broken in half for “tree trunks”) or pretzel sticks
- Assorted sprinkles (red, green, gold, white)
- Candy star toppers (optional)
- White chocolate (optional, for drizzle “snow”)
🧑🍳 Instructions
- Bake the Brownies
Prepare brownies according to package or homemade recipe instructions. Bake in a 9×13-inch pan for the best tree shape yield. Allow them to cool completely before cutting. - Cut into Triangles
Once cooled, cut the brownies into long rectangles, then slice each rectangle diagonally into two triangles. Each triangle will become one Christmas tree. - Add Tree Trunks
Gently insert the curved end of a mini candy cane or pretzel stick into the base of each triangle to form a “tree trunk.” - Frost the Trees
Using a piping bag (or zip-top bag with the corner snipped), pipe green frosting in a zigzag pattern across each brownie triangle to create the look of tree branches. - Decorate
Add festive sprinkles, mini M&Ms, or edible glitter to decorate your trees. Top each with a candy star for a magical finishing touch. - Optional Snow Drizzle
Melt white chocolate and lightly drizzle it over the trees for a snowy look. - Set & Serve
Let the frosting firm up for 10–15 minutes before serving or packaging for gifts.
Christmas Tree Brownies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bake brownies according to package or homemade recipe instructions and let cool completely.
- Cut cooled brownies into long rectangles, then slice diagonally into triangles to form trees.
- Insert mini candy cane halves or pretzel sticks into the base of each triangle for the trunk.
- Pipe green frosting in zigzags across each brownie to create tree branches.
- Decorate with sprinkles, candy stars, or a drizzle of melted white chocolate.
- Let frosting set before serving or packaging for gifts.
Notes
🎅 Tips for the Best Christmas Tree Brownies
- Cool Before Cutting: Warm brownies crumble easily; chill them briefly for clean cuts.
- Even Shapes: Use a ruler for perfectly sized triangles.
- Frosting Hack: Tint vanilla frosting with green gel food coloring for a vibrant hue.
- Mess-Free Decorating: Place brownies on parchment paper before decorating for easy cleanup.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
🍬 Decoration Ideas
- Classic Tree: Green frosting, red & gold sprinkles, yellow star candy.
- Snowy Forest: Add a white chocolate drizzle and coconut flakes.
- Peppermint Twist: Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the frosting.
- Rainbow Lights: Use colorful mini M&Ms for ornaments.
- Gingerbread-Inspired: Dust with powdered sugar for a frosty finish.
🎁 Gifting & Party Serving Ideas
- Party Tray: Arrange the brownies on a wooden board lined with powdered sugar “snow.”
- Edible Gifts: Wrap each brownie in clear plastic bags and tie with red and green ribbons.
- Classroom Treats: Individually package for kids’ Christmas parties—safe, simple, and mess-free.
- Hot Cocoa Pairing: Serve alongside mugs of hot chocolate for a cozy dessert combo.
💡 Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: Bake brownies up to 2 days in advance; decorate before serving.
- Storage: Keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Freezing: Undecorated brownies freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. Thaw, then decorate fresh.
🎄 Fun Fact: Brownies and Christmas Go Way Back!
Did you know the first brownie recipe appeared in the late 1800s? Over time, these fudgy bars have become a canvas for creativity—especially during the holidays. Turning brownies into Christmas trees brings the nostalgic comfort of chocolate and the joy of holiday decorating together in one sweet, delicious bite.
✨ Why These Brownies Are a Holiday Must
They’re festive, rich, and so easy that even beginner bakers can nail them. Every bite bursts with chocolatey goodness and a touch of holiday cheer. You can customize them endlessly, make them ahead, and watch as they light up every dessert table.
So this season, skip the complicated desserts and bake up a forest of Christmas Tree Brownies — the perfect blend of comfort and Christmas magic.
