Nothing quite captures the festive spirit like a batch of delightful homemade treats, and this Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe is exactly that! Imagine fudgy, rich brownies cut into perfect tree shapes, adorned with vibrant green icing and colorful sprinkles, making them the star of any holiday dessert table. This recipe combines the comforting, chocolatey goodness of brownies with creative decoration ideas, turning a simple dessert into a festive celebration that everyone will adore. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or looking to impress with a fun holiday craft, these brownie Christmas trees are sure to bring smiles and spark joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe lies in its simplicity—the ingredients are straightforward yet essential, each contributing to the perfect texture and festive appearance of your holiday brownies.
- 1 (18oz.) box brownie mix: This is your base for fudgy, chocolatey goodness, making baking quicker and easier.
- Additional ingredients from the brownie mix box: Usually oil, eggs, and water—these bring the batter together and ensure the right consistency.
- 1 additional egg yolk: Adds richness and enhances the brownie’s moist texture.
- 1 (16oz.) tub vanilla frosting: The canvas for your green icing, providing sweetness and creaminess.
- Green food coloring: Transforms your frosting into a vibrant green perfect for festive tree decorations.
- Sprinkles: Adds colorful cheer and a little crunch to your decorated trees.
- Candy canes: Cut pieces serve as charming tree trunks, completing the festive look.
How to Make Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to the temperature recommended on your brownie mix box. Meanwhile, line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides—this makes taking the brownies out a breeze once baked.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the ingredients called for on the box, plus the extra egg yolk. The extra yolk adds a little extra gooey richness. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as the flour disappears to keep the brownies tender and soft.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Pour your batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the box directions. Keep a close eye in the final minutes—a perfectly baked brownie is moist but set, so don’t let it get too dry. A little underbaking is better here for that fudgy texture we’re aiming for.
Step 4: Cool Completely
Once out of the oven, let your brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cooling is key because attempting to cut or frost warm brownies can cause crumbling or smudging.
Step 5: Prepare the Green Frosting
While the brownies cool, mix your vanilla frosting with green food coloring until you reach that perfect festive shade. This frosting will be the “branches” of your Christmas trees, so make it vibrant!
Step 6: Shape Your Trees
Use the parchment overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan and trim off the edges for neatness. Make sure the brownies are fully cooled—if you’re in a hurry, pop them in the fridge briefly. For small trees, cut into three long strips, then slice each strip into diagonal triangles, creating 18 charming trees. For larger trees, cut the brownies in half, trim the ends at an angle, and cut four triangles from each half, totaling 8 impressive-sized trees.
Step 7: Decorate and Assemble
Now comes the fun part: decorating! Use the green frosting to coat each triangle and sprinkle generously with festive sprinkles. Finally, cut candy canes into small pieces and press one into the bottom of each triangle to form the trunk of your Christmas tree.
How to Serve Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe
Garnishes
The beauty of this recipe is in the details. Sprinkles bring a whimsical pop of color, but feel free to get creative—silver dragées, mini edible stars, or even powdered sugar “snow” add magical touches that delight both eyes and taste buds.
Side Dishes
Serve your brownie trees alongside vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a creamy contrast to the rich brownies. Fresh berries or a simple cup of hot cocoa also complement the festive dessert perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe on a platter lined with fresh pine sprigs or shredded coconut snow to make an eye-catching holiday centerpiece. You could also individually box them in clear containers for gifting—they’re a sweet surprise sure to brighten anyone’s day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover brownie trees in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigeration might be best to keep the frosting firm and prevent melting.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, these brownies freeze beautifully. Freeze them uncut, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. When ready to enjoy, thaw completely before cutting and decorating.
Reheating
These brownies are best served at room temperature. Avoid microwaving if decorated, as the frosting can melt. If reheating is desired, briefly warm plain brownies before decorating to maintain that lovely fresh-baked feel.
FAQs
Can I use homemade brownies instead of a box mix?
Absolutely! Homemade brownies work wonderfully for this recipe and add a personal touch. Just ensure they are sturdy enough to hold their shape when cut into triangles.
What if I don’t have green food coloring?
You can substitute it with other natural colorings or simply keep the frosting white for a snowy tree effect. Silver or red sprinkles will still look festive!
How long do the decorated brownie trees stay fresh?
When stored properly in an airtight container, they stay fresh for about three days at room temperature or up to a week in the fridge.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free brownie mix, and ensure your frosting and sprinkles are gluten-free as well. The end result is just as delicious and festive.
Do I have to use candy canes for the tree trunks?
Not at all. You can substitute pretzel sticks, small chocolate sticks, or even edible wafer rolls for a creative twist on the trunk.
Final Thoughts
This Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe is not just a treat; it’s a festive experience that fills your kitchen with holiday cheer and your family with delight. The combination of easy prep, delicious taste, and charming presentation makes it a go-to for joyful celebrations. I can’t wait for you to try it and watch your own holiday table light up with these adorable, delectable trees!
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Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate the holidays with these festive Brownie Christmas Trees, a fun and delicious dessert perfect for gatherings. Made from rich, fudgy brownies colored with green frosting and decorated with sprinkles and candy cane stems, they bring a whimsical touch to your dessert table.
Ingredients
Brownie Base
- 1 (18oz.) box brownie mix (with ingredients called for on the back, usually oil, eggs, and water)
- 1 additional egg yolk
Frosting and Decorations
- 1 (16oz.) tub vanilla frosting
- Green food coloring (enough to tint frosting green)
- Sprinkles (assorted colors)
- Candy canes (mini size, cut to fit as tree stems)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to the temperature specified on the brownie mix box to ensure proper baking.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra edges hanging over sides for easy brownie removal later.
- Mix Brownie Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients required by the brownie mix plus 1 additional egg yolk. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake according to the box instructions. Start checking a few minutes before the minimum suggested time to prevent overbaking and preserve fudginess.
- Cool the Brownies: Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before proceeding.
- Prepare Frosting: Combine the vanilla frosting with green food coloring, stirring well to achieve a vibrant green shade perfect for tree decoration.
- Remove and Trim Brownies: Lift the brownies out using parchment overhang and trim off the edges for a clean shape.
- Ensure Brownies are Cold: Only cut the brownies when they are fully cooled. If not fully cold, refrigerate until firm to prevent crumbling.
- Cut into Small Trees: For 18 small trees, slice brownies lengthwise into 3 strips, then cut each strip into 6 triangles by halving each square diagonally.
- Cut into Large Trees: For 8 large trees, cut the baked brownies in half down the middle, then cut each half into 4 triangles, trimming ends at an angle to create a neat zig-zag pattern.
- Decorate: Frost the brownie triangles with green icing, sprinkle festive decorations, and insert candy cane pieces at the base as the tree trunks to complete the look.
Notes
- Do not overmix brownie batter to keep it fudgy and moist.
- Check brownies early to avoid overbaking; fudgy brownies work best for this recipe.
- Use parchment paper overhang to help lift brownies from pan easily.
- Refrigerate brownies if they are not fully cooled before cutting to avoid breaking.
- Mini candy canes are perfect for tree stems; break them carefully to fit.
- Try different colored sprinkles to add extra festive flair.
