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Brownie Christmas Trees

A fun and festive dessert perfect for holiday parties, these brownie trees are easy to make, decorate, and sure to impress your guests.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 16 trees
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 290
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Brownie Base
  • 1 box brownie mix Plus ingredients as directed on the box or use the scratch recipe.
  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter For a scratch recipe.
  • 1 cup sugar For a scratch recipe.
  • 2 large eggs For a scratch recipe.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For a scratch recipe.
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder For a scratch recipe.
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour For a scratch recipe.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt For a scratch recipe.
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips For a scratch recipe.
Green Frosting
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter Softened.
  • 2-2.5 cups powdered sugar To achieve desired sweetness and texture.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk Just enough for a smooth texture.
  • 1 drop green gel food coloring For tinting.
Decorations
  • assorted sprinkles
  • small star sprinkles
  • mini M&Ms
  • tiny candy canes Or pretzel sticks for trunks.
  • white chocolate drizzle Optional for garlands.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang, and lightly grease it.
  2. For scratch brownies, whisk melted butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla. Stir in cocoa, flour, and salt until combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
Baking
  1. Spread the brownie batter evenly in the pan and bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
  2. Start checking at 24 minutes with a toothpick; it should come out with a few moist crumbs.
Cooling and Cutting
  1. Cool brownies completely; ideally chill for 30 minutes once at room temperature before cutting.
  2. Lift the brownies from the pan using the parchment. Trim edges if desired, then cut into long strips and then triangles.
Frosting and Decorating
  1. Beat butter until creamy, adding powdered sugar gradually, then vanilla and just enough milk for a smooth, pipeable texture. Tint green as desired.
  2. Pipe frosting onto brownies to resemble tree branches and add decorations like sprinkles and a star on top.
  3. Press a mini candy cane or pretzel stick into the base of the tree for a trunk.
Setting and Serving
  1. Allow the frosting to set for 15 to 20 minutes before serving or packing.
  2. For extra shine, drizzle white chocolate on top before serving.

Notes

Keep decorated brownies in a shallow container in a single layer while traveling. Chill brownie slab before cutting for the best results. Let kids help with the sprinkles for added fun.