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Christmas Tree Brownies – Easy Holiday Treat Everyone Will Love
There’s something magical about baking during the holidays—especially when the kitchen fills with the smell of warm brownies. Christmas Tree Brownies are one of those delightful recipes that turn a simple dessert into a festive masterpiece. With fudgy chocolate brownies, creamy frosting, and colorful candy decorations, these edible Christmas trees are as fun to make as they are to eat.
This easy recipe is perfect for holiday parties, classroom treats, cookie swaps, or cozy baking nights with the kids. Best of all, you can make them from scratch or use your favorite boxed brownie mix—either way, they’ll be a hit!
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun & Festive: These brownies look like mini Christmas trees—cute, colorful, and perfect for the season.
- Super Easy: Make them with a boxed brownie mix or your favorite homemade recipe.
- Kid-Friendly: A great hands-on holiday activity for children and families.
- Perfect for Gifting: Wrap them in cellophane and tie with a bow for homemade edible gifts.
- Versatile: Customize the decorations with your favorite candies and colors.
These Christmas Tree Brownies are proof that you don’t need to be a professional baker to make something magical for the holidays.
🍫 What Are Christmas Tree Brownies?
Christmas Tree Brownies are triangular brownie slices decorated to look like festive Christmas trees. Once baked and cooled, the brownies are cut into triangles, frosted with green icing “branches,” and topped with sprinkles, candy ornaments, and a little yellow star at the top.
You can even add a small candy cane stick at the bottom as a “tree trunk.” The result is a fun, edible craft that doubles as a delicious dessert.
🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few pantry staples and some festive decorations:
For the Brownies:
- 1 box of brownie mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: usually eggs, oil, and water)
or make from scratch:- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For Decorating:
- 1 cup green frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- Assorted sprinkles and edible glitter
- Mini candy stars (for the top of each tree)
- Small candy canes (cut in half for the tree trunk)
- Optional: red and white mini M&Ms or silver dragees
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Brownie Batter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it. Prepare your brownie mix according to the package directions or mix your homemade batter until smooth and glossy.
2. Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20–25 minutes (or as directed on the mix). Test with a toothpick—when it comes out with just a few moist crumbs, your brownies are perfect.
Let them cool completely before cutting.
3. Cut into Christmas Trees
Once the brownies are cool, remove them from the pan and cut into long strips, then into triangles. (Tip: You can cut away the edges for clean, even shapes.)
4. Decorate the Trees
Transfer your green frosting into a piping bag fitted with a star or small round tip. Pipe zigzag lines across each brownie triangle to resemble tree branches.
5. Add the Decorations
Before the frosting sets, sprinkle colorful candy decorations and press a candy star on top of each brownie.
6. Add Tree Trunks
Insert half of a small candy cane at the bottom of each brownie triangle to create the trunk.
7. Let Set and Serve
Allow the frosting to firm up before serving or packaging. Arrange them on a festive platter and watch them disappear!
Christmas Tree Brownies
Festive chocolate brownies decorated like Christmas trees with green frosting, candy ornaments, and candy cane trunks. Easy, fun, and perfect for the holidays!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely.
- Cut brownies into long strips, then triangles to form tree shapes.
- Pipe green frosting on each triangle in a zigzag pattern to resemble tree branches.
- Decorate with sprinkles and press a candy star at the top.
- Insert half a candy cane at the base of each triangle as a tree trunk.
- Let frosting set before serving or packaging.
Notes
Add crushed candy canes or edible glitter for extra holiday flair.
🎨 Decorating Ideas
Want to take your Christmas Tree Brownies to the next level? Try these creative twists:
- Snowy Trees: Use white frosting and silver sprinkles for a “snow-covered” effect.
- Peppermint Forest: Add crushed candy canes for a minty crunch.
- Glitter Trees: Dust with edible glitter for an extra sparkle.
- Mini Ornament Trees: Use mini M&Ms or Skittles as colorful ornaments.
- Marble Frosting Trees: Mix a little white frosting into the green for a swirled, natural look.
🎁 How to Gift Christmas Tree Brownies
These brownies make wonderful homemade gifts. Here are a few presentation ideas:
- Wrap each brownie in a clear cellophane bag tied with red and green ribbons.
- Arrange them in a holiday-themed tin or box lined with parchment paper.
- Add a gift tag that says “You’re tree-mendously sweet!” for a cute touch.
Perfect for teachers, neighbors, or coworkers—these sweet trees bring instant smiles.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve Christmas Tree Brownies with:
- Hot cocoa with whipped cream
- A mug of peppermint mocha
- Vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert
- A drizzle of chocolate syrup for extra decadence
They also make adorable additions to cookie platters, dessert bars, or classroom parties.
🕯️ Storage Tips
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for 1 week.
- Freezer: Freeze undecorated brownies for up to 2 months. Thaw and decorate when ready to serve.
Pro Tip: If you’re making these ahead, wait to decorate until just before gifting or serving to keep them looking fresh and vibrant.
🌟 Tips for Perfect Brownies
- Don’t overbake. For fudgy brownies, remove them when the center still looks slightly underdone—they’ll continue cooking as they cool.
- Use parchment paper. It makes removal and cutting easier.
- Sharp knife, clean cuts. Wipe your knife between cuts for perfect edges.
- Cool completely before decorating. Warm brownies will melt the frosting.
🍫 Homemade Frosting Option
If you want to make your own frosting, here’s a quick recipe:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- Green food coloring
Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, then add vanilla and milk until smooth. Tint with green food coloring and use immediately.
❤️ Fun Fact: Brownies as Holiday Favorites
Brownies originated in the late 19th century in the United States and quickly became one of the most beloved baked treats. Their adaptability—fudgy, chewy, cakey—makes them perfect for any occasion. Decorating them as Christmas trees adds a playful holiday twist that’s both nostalgic and Instagram-worthy!
🎉 Why You’ll Keep Making Christmas Tree Brownies Every Year
There’s a reason these brownies have become a FoodieMoms favorite. They’re festive, budget-friendly, and universally loved. Whether you’re baking for a holiday bake sale, creating classroom treats, or spending a cozy December afternoon baking with your kids, these brownies bring joy to every occasion.
