Festive Christmas Brownie Trees

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Festive christmas brownie trees make family eyes light up like a Christmas tree. They actually are Christmas trees!

These festive brownie triangles topped with green frosting and colorful sprinkles are a perfect December dessert.

They’re super simple to make but look like they took hours in the kitchen.

These ordinary brownies transform into a magical forest of sweetness that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.

Ready to become the holiday hero of your next gathering?

Contents show

Ingredients

Recommended Tools

Transforming brownies into festive Christmas trees is easier when you have the right tools on hand. These kitchen essentials will help you create picture-perfect brownie trees that look amazing on your holiday dessert table and make the decorating process much more fun.

8×8 Baking Pan:
The perfect size for making thick, fudgy brownies that can be cut into tree shapes.
Sharp Knife:
Essential for cutting clean triangle shapes from your cooled brownies without crumbling.
Piping Bags:
Makes decorating your brownie trees with zigzag green icing lines super easy and precise.
Mixing Bowls:
Needed for preparing brownie batter and tinting your white icing with green food coloring.
Offset Spatula:
Helps you lift and transfer delicate brownie triangles without breaking them during decorating.
Cooling Rack:
Allows brownies to cool completely before cutting into triangles and decorating as festive trees.

Instructions for Festive Christmas Brownie Trees

Ready to create the cutest holiday treats ever? Let’s transform ordinary brownies into festive Christmas trees that’ll wow everyone at your holiday party!

First things first – preheat your oven to 350°F. Give your 8×8 pan a good spray with cooking spray and dust it with 2 tablespoons of flour. This prevents your brownies from sticking (because nobody wants to struggle with stuck brownies!).
Grab your box of brownie mix (about 18-20 oz) and prepare it according to the package directions. Pour that chocolatey goodness into your prepared pan and pop it in the oven for 25-30 minutes.
Now comes the hardest part – waiting! Let those brownies cool COMPLETELY. I mean it! Warm brownies will turn into a crumbly mess when you try to cut them.
Once cooled, cut your brownies into triangles. Think Christmas tree shapes here, folks!
Take 4-5 candy canes and break them into pieces about 1.5 inches long. These will be your tree trunks! Press one piece into the bottom of each brownie triangle.
Time to make your trees green! Mix 1 cup of white vanilla icing with 2-3 drops of green food coloring. Scoop this festive frosting into a piping bag.
Pipe zigzag lines across your brownie triangles to create that classic Christmas tree texture. Go wild with it – trees aren’t perfect in nature either!
While the icing is still wet, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of small round sprinkles all over your trees. Think of these as your mini ornaments!
For the finishing touch, place a star sprinkle on top of each tree. Every Christmas tree needs its star!
Want to transport these beauties? Let the icing harden overnight. Trust me, your future self will thank you for this patience!

Pro Tips

Line your baking pan with parchment paper that extends over the edges instead of just spraying and flouring, allowing you to easily lift the entire brownie sheet out after cooling for perfectly clean cuts when making your triangular trees.

Substitutions & Variations

These festive brownie trees can be customized with different flavors and decorations while maintaining their charming holiday appeal.

Mint Chocolate Trees: Use mint-flavored brownie mix or add 1/2 teaspoon mint extract to regular brownie batter for a cool refreshing twist that pairs perfectly with the candy cane trunks.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute a gluten-free brownie mix and ensure your sprinkles are gluten-free for a version everyone can enjoy.
Pretzel Trunks: Replace candy canes with pretzel sticks for a sweet-salty combination that offers a different texture and flavor profile.
White Chocolate Snowfall: Drizzle white chocolate over the green icing in thin lines to create a snowy effect on your trees.
Nutty Forest: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the brownie batter and sprinkle some on top of the icing for a textured forest of trees.
Red Velvet Forest: Use red velvet brownie mix instead of chocolate for a striking color contrast with the green icing.

Leftovers & Storage Tips

Proper storage of your festive Christmas Brownie Trees will keep them fresh and festive throughout the holiday season.

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for a week.

I’ve found placing parchment paper between layers prevents the icing from smudging.

Freezing works too! Just thaw them for 30 minutes before serving.

Fudgy Family Fun Tonight

Yield: 12-16 trees Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Total Time: 45 mins Rating: ★★★★★

Adorable Christmas tree brownies decorated with green icing and festive sprinkles, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients:

1 box brownie mix (about 18–20 oz)
Cooking spray (for pan)
2 tbsp flour (for dusting pan)
4–5 candy canes (broken into ~1.5-inch pieces, about 12–16 trunks)
1 cup white vanilla icing
2–3 drops green food coloring
2 tbsp small round sprinkles
12–16 small star sprinkles

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8×8 pan and dust with flour.
Prepare brownies per box directions; bake 25–30 minutes.
Cool completely; cut into triangles.
Break candy canes into ~1.5-inch pieces; attach them as trunks to brownie triangles.
Tint icing green, fill piping bag, and pipe zigzag lines on brownies.
Decorate with sprinkles and place a star sprinkle on top.

Festive Christmas Brownie Trees – A surprising dessert