Tree Brownies

Tree brownies are a fun and festive twist on classic chocolate brownies, shaped and decorated like Christmas trees. I love making these during the holidays—not only are they rich and fudgy, but decorating them with green frosting and sprinkles turns them into a hands-on, creative holiday activity. Whether I’m baking for a party or just getting into the holiday spirit at home, these tree brownies are always a hit.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how simple these tree brownies are to make, yet how magical they look when finished. They start with a rich, chocolatey brownie base (from scratch or a box mix), then I cut them into triangles and decorate with green icing, sprinkles, and candy stars. They’re perfect for baking with kids, great for gifting, and ideal for holiday dessert tables. Plus, they’re totally customizable—I can get as creative as I want with the decorations.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Brownies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

For Decorating:

• Green frosting (store-bought or homemade)
• Assorted holiday sprinkles
• Candy stars or mini M&Ms
• Candy canes (cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces for the “tree trunks”)

Directions

Step 1: Make the Brownies
I preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper. I whisk the melted butter with both sugars, then beat in the eggs and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, I stir together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. I combine the wet and dry ingredients until just mixed, then spread the batter into the pan and bake for about 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 2: Cool and Cut
Once the brownies have cooled completely, I lift them from the pan using the parchment. Then I slice them into long horizontal strips and cut each strip into triangles, making the shape of Christmas trees.

Step 3: Decorate
I pipe green frosting over each triangle in a zig-zag pattern to mimic tree branches. Then I sprinkle on festive decorations and top each tree with a candy star. For the trunks, I stick a small piece of candy cane into the base of each brownie triangle.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 12–16 tree brownies, depending on how big I cut them.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Bake Time: 30–35 minutes
• Cool + Decorate Time: 30–40 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

• Use a box mix: If I’m short on time, I’ll use my favorite brownie mix and just focus on the decorations.
• Peppermint twist: I add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the brownie batter or sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the frosting.
• Gluten-free version: I’ve used a gluten-free flour blend with great results.
• Fudge or cakey: I adjust the baking time slightly to make them more fudgy (less time) or cakey (a bit more time), depending on my mood.
• Different shapes: I sometimes use cookie cutters to make stars or ornament shapes instead of just trees.

Storage/Reheating

I store decorated tree brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If I want them to last longer, I refrigerate them for up to a week. I can also freeze the undecorated brownies for up to 2 months—just wrap them tightly. I don’t usually reheat them once decorated, but if I’m serving plain brownies, I warm them slightly in the microwave for that fresh-baked feel.

FAQs

How do I cut brownies into tree shapes?

I cut the cooled brownies into horizontal strips, then slice each strip diagonally to make triangle shapes. I trim the edges if needed to even them out.

Can I decorate these with kids?

Absolutely—I love setting up a decorating station with frosting, sprinkles, and candy. It’s a great holiday activity for little hands.

What kind of frosting works best?

I use a basic buttercream or cream cheese frosting with green food coloring. Store-bought frosting works just fine too if I’m in a hurry.

Do I need to use candy canes for the tree trunks?

Not at all—I sometimes use pretzel sticks or leave them out altogether. The trunks are just a cute extra touch.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, I often bake the brownies a day ahead and decorate them the next day. This helps save time and keeps them fresh.

Conclusion

Tree brownies are one of my favorite holiday treats—not just because they’re fudgy and delicious, but because they bring so much joy to make and share. Whether I’m gifting them to friends, serving them at a party, or decorating them with family, they always bring out the holiday spirit. With just a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, I can turn ordinary brownies into festive edible trees that everyone loves.

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