Imagine rich, fudgy brownies cut into festive little trees, decorated with vibrant green frosting garlands and sparkling candy ornaments. They’re the perfect centerpiece for any holiday dessert table.
This is truly a recipe for The Easiest Christmas Tree Brownies you’ll ever make. It’s designed to be a foolproof and fun project that delivers impressive results without any stress.
We start with a simple box brownie mix and elevate it into a show-stopping treat that looks like it came from a specialty bakery.
If you’re looking for another simple and beautiful holiday dessert, our classic peppermint bark recipe is a must-try.
Ready to create your own edible winter wonderland? Let’s walk through just how simple it is.
Quick Overview: Making Your Christmas Tree Brownies
Here’s a snapshot of what to expect when making these delightful holiday treats. This recipe is straightforward and perfect for a festive baking session.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Servings: 12
- Prepare and bake the brownie mix in an 8×8 inch pan as directed, then allow it to cool completely before handling.
- Cut the cooled brownies into triangles and carefully insert a small piece of candy cane into the base of each to form a tree trunk.
- Pipe the green-tinted icing in a zigzag pattern onto each brownie and finish by decorating with round sprinkles and a star on top.
What You’ll Need to Make These Adorable Brownie Trees
This recipe comes together quickly with just a handful of simple, festive ingredients. Here’s exactly what you’ll need to get started.
The Complete Ingredient List
- Brownie Mix: 1 box
- White vanilla icing: 1 (16 ounce) tub
- Green food coloring: 1/4 tsp
- Small round sprinkles: 2 tbsp
- Small star sprinkles: 2 tbsp
- Candy canes: 12
Feel free to get creative and swap the sprinkles or candy cane trunks with your favorite holiday candies!
Choosing Your Brownie Base: A Pro’s Guide
The secret to unforgettable Christmas Tree Brownies starts with the perfect base. While a from-scratch recipe is lovely, a high-quality box mix is a fantastic, time-saving shortcut that can taste just as decadent with a few simple tweaks.
When selecting your mix, always opt for one labeled “fudgy” or “chewy” over “cakey.” Fudgy brownies have a higher fat-to-flour ratio, making them dense and moist. This sturdy structure is essential for holding the triangular shape and supporting the candy cane trunk without crumbling.
To elevate any box mix to bakery-level quality, try these simple yet effective upgrades:
- Swap Oil for Melted Butter: Use an equal amount of melted butter in place of the oil called for on the box. Butter adds a rich, complex flavor that vegetable oil simply can’t match, creating a more homemade taste.
- Use Coffee Instead of Water: Replace the water with an equal amount of strong brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature. Coffee’s acidity blooms the cocoa powder, intensifying the chocolate notes for a deeper, more robust flavor without tasting like coffee.
- Add an Extra Egg Yolk: For an ultra-rich and chewy texture, add one extra egg yolk along with the whole eggs required. The additional fat in the yolk creates a wonderfully tender crumb and a more decadent final product.
These small changes make a significant impact, ensuring your brownie base is as delicious as it is festive.
Mastering the Cut: How to Get Perfect Triangles Every Time
The secret to those adorable tree shapes isn’t magic; it’s technique. Getting clean, sharp edges transforms your brownies from a simple treat into a festive centerpiece. Let’s break down how to get it right.
The single most important step for clean cuts is patience. Your brownies must be completely cool. Rushing this step will result in crumbly, messy edges.
Pro-Tip: For perfectly firm brownies that are easy to slice, let them cool on the counter for about 1.5 hours, then chill them in the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes before cutting.
For a standard 8×8 inch pan, the method is simple. First, cut the entire slab of brownies lengthwise into three equal rows. Then, cut each long rectangle into four triangles by making alternating diagonal cuts.
To make the process even smoother, use a hot, clean knife. Run a large, sharp knife under hot water, wipe it completely dry, and make one slice. Wipe the blade clean and repeat the process for every single cut. This prevents dragging and keeps each triangle pristine.
An Alternate Foolproof Method
If you want to guarantee uniform triangles with minimal waste, try baking your brownie batter in a round 8-inch pan. Once it has completely cooled, you can simply cut it into even wedges, just like a pizza.
Now that your trees are perfectly shaped, it’s time for the most creative part: decorating.
A Frosting & Decorating Masterclass
The right frosting and decorations are what truly bring these brownie trees to life. While our recipe calls for canned icing for ultimate convenience, you have several fantastic options depending on your desired finish and style.
Choosing Your Frosting
- Canned Frosting: This is the quickest route to delicious trees. It’s perfect for a fun, low-stress baking project with the family.
- Homemade Buttercream: For a sturdier frosting that holds its piped shape beautifully, a simple homemade buttercream is a wonderful upgrade. It also offers a richer, less artificial flavor.
- Green Candy Melts: If you need your trees to be sturdy for transport, consider using melted green candy melts. They create a smooth, hard shell that won’t smudge once set.
Achieving the Perfect Forest Green
Getting that perfect evergreen color is simple with the right technique. For the most vibrant shade without altering your frosting’s consistency, always choose gel food coloring over liquid varieties.
Gel color is highly concentrated, so you only need a small amount. Start with the recipe’s recommended 1/4 tsp and gradually add more until you reach the perfect shade of forest green.
Creative Decorating Ideas
Go beyond the basic garland! Try using different piping tips (like a small star tip) to create different textures. You can also use other candies like mini M&Ms or silver dragées as ornaments for a touch of sparkle.
Let’s Get Baking: Making Your Christmas Tree Brownies
Now for the fun part. This process is simple and straightforward, and I’ll guide you through each stage to ensure your festive treats turn out perfectly.
Preparing the Brownies
First, preheat your oven according to the directions on the brownie mix package.
Next, line an 8×8 inch baking pan with aluminum foil, making sure to extend the foil over the edges of the pan. This creates a “sling” that will help you lift the brownies out easily later. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
Prepare the brownie batter according to the package directions, adding in any of your favorite box-mix enhancements for a richer flavor. Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
This next step is crucial for clean cuts: let the brownies cool completely in the pan, which will take about 1.5 hours. Do not rush this step, as warm brownies are more likely to fall apart when cutting.
Cutting the Brownies into Triangles
Once the brownies are fully cooled, use the foil overhang to lift the entire slab out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
Cut the brownie slab into three long, even rows. Then, cut each row into triangles by making alternating diagonal cuts. As we discussed, using a hot, clean knife will give you the sharpest edges.
Making the Tree Trunks
Unwrap the 12 candy canes. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut or break them into 1.5-inch pieces. The curved part of the candy cane works perfectly for this.
Gently press the sharper end of a candy cane piece into the flat bottom of each brownie triangle to create the tree trunk. Be firm but gentle to avoid cracking the brownie.
Frosting and Decorating Your Christmas Trees
Spoon about half of the 16-ounce tub of white vanilla icing into a separate bowl.
Add 1/4 tsp of green food coloring to the icing. Remember, gel food coloring will give you the most vibrant forest green without making the icing too thin. Stir until the color is evenly mixed.
Transfer the green icing into a zip-lock bag, seal it, and use sharp scissors to snip off a tiny piece from one of the bottom corners. This creates an instant piping bag.
Starting at the top point of a brownie triangle, gently squeeze the icing out while moving your hand in a curvy zigzag pattern down to the base. This motion creates a lovely garland effect.
Finally, add the round sprinkles to look like ornaments and top each tree with a single star sprinkle. Your edible Christmas trees are now ready to be enjoyed!
Tips for Perfect Brownie Trees Every Time
To ensure your festive treats look as good as they taste, follow these simple but crucial tips for success. These small steps make a big difference in achieving bakery-quality results at home.
- Cool Completely Before Cutting: This is the most critical step for clean lines. Let the brownies cool for at least 1.5 hours. For even cleaner cuts, chill the cooled brownies in the fridge for 30 minutes before slicing.
- Use a Hot, Clean Knife: For those sharp, perfect edges, run a large, sharp knife under hot water and wipe it dry before every single cut. This prevents the brownies from dragging and crumbling.
- Don’t Overbake: For a fudgy texture that holds together well, bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs, not completely clean. The brownies will continue to set as they cool.
- The Foil Sling is Your Friend: Using an aluminum foil sling in your 8×8 inch pan allows you to lift the entire slab of brownies out at once. This makes cutting them into perfect triangles on a flat surface much easier.
Get Creative: Fun Variations for Your Brownie Trees
While the classic recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, these simple variations can add a personal and delicious touch to your festive treats. Feel free to mix and match these ideas to create your perfect holiday forest.
- Snow-Dusted Pines: For a magical, snowy effect, use a small sieve to lightly dust the finished trees with powdered sugar just before serving. White nonpareil sprinkles also create a beautiful frosty look.
- Salty & Sweet Trunks: If you’re not a fan of peppermint, swap the candy cane trunks for sturdy pretzel sticks. The combination of salty pretzel and rich, sweet brownie is a fantastic contrast.
- Minty Fresh Forest: Infuse more holiday flavor by adding a ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract directly into the green icing. It creates that classic chocolate-mint combination everyone loves.
- Gourmet Garland: For a different finish, skip the piped icing and instead drizzle the trees with melted white chocolate. You can tint it green or leave it white for a snowy contrast.
- Colorful Ornaments: Use mini M&M’s or other small, colorful candies in place of the round sprinkles to serve as vibrant tree ornaments.
Making Ahead: Prepare for Holiday Baking Success
The holidays are a busy time, and any recipe that can be prepared in advance is a winner. These Christmas Tree Brownies are perfect for making ahead to save you time and stress.
For the best results, you can bake the brownies up to two days in advance. Allow them to cool completely in the pan as the recipe directs.
Once cooled, cover the pan tightly with the foil and an additional layer of plastic wrap. Storing the brownies uncut and well-sealed is key, as it prevents the edges from drying out and keeps them perfectly fudgy.
Store them at room temperature. When you’re ready to serve, simply lift the brownie slab out, cut into triangles, and proceed with the decorating steps. This ensures your festive trees look fresh and vibrant for your guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to cut brownies hot or cold?
Always cut brownies when they are completely cool. Chilling them slightly beforehand can also help create cleaner cuts.
How do you cleanly cut brownie trees?
For clean cuts, ensure brownies are fully cooled and use a hot, clean knife for each slice. Alternatively, bake in a round pan and cut like a pizza to minimize waste.
How do you get a dark green color?
Use gel food coloring for a richer, more vibrant green. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you reach your desired shade.
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The Easiest Christmas Tree Brownies
Equipment
- 8x8 inch baking pan
- Piping bag or zip-lock bag
Ingredients
- 1 box fudgy brownie mix
- 1 tub white vanilla icing 16 ounce
- 1/4 tsp Green food coloring gel food coloring recommended
- 2 tbsp Small round sprinkles
- 2 tbsp Small star sprinkles
- 12 Candy canes
Instructions
Prepare and Bake the Brownies
- Preheat oven according to the directions on the brownie mix package. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with foil, extending it over the edges to create a sling, and spray with cooking spray.
- Prepare the brownie batter according to package directions. Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan for about 1.5 hours. This step is crucial for clean cuts.
Cut and Assemble the Trees
- Once cooled, use the foil sling to lift the brownie slab out of the pan onto a cutting board.
- Cut the brownie slab into three long, even rows. Then, cut each row into four triangles by making alternating diagonal cuts.
- Unwrap the candy canes and break them into 1.5-inch pieces from the curved part. Gently press a piece into the flat bottom of each brownie triangle to create a tree trunk.
Frost and Decorate
- Spoon about half of the vanilla icing into a separate bowl. Add 1/4 tsp of green food coloring and stir until the color is evenly mixed.
- Transfer the green icing into a zip-lock bag and snip a tiny piece from one of the bottom corners.
- Pipe the icing in a curvy zigzag pattern onto each brownie triangle to create a garland effect.
- Immediately decorate with the round sprinkles to look like ornaments and top each tree with a single star sprinkle.