Description
These festive Christmas Tree Brownies are a delightful holiday treat featuring rich, fudgy brownies cut into tree shapes, decorated with creamy green frosting and colorful sprinkles to resemble Christmas trees. Perfect for holiday parties or a fun family baking activity.
Ingredients
Scale
Brownies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Frosting & Decorations
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream
- 6-12 drops green food coloring
- 1 cup pretzel sticks (for trunks)
- 1/4 cup rainbow confetti sprinkles
- 2 tablespoons yellow star sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Make Brownie Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. Gradually add in the cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder, whisking gently until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips to evenly distribute them throughout the batter.
- Bake Brownies: Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let Cool: Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan. This will make cutting easier and prevent crumbling.
- Cut into Triangles: Once cooled, lift the brownies out using the parchment paper. Cut the brownies into three long rectangles. Then cut each rectangle into triangular shapes to resemble Christmas trees.
- Make Frosting: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and enough heavy cream to reach a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add green food coloring drops gradually until you achieve the desired shade of green.
- Frost Brownies: Using a piping bag or a spoon, pipe or spread the green frosting in a zig-zag pattern over each brownie triangle to create the look of a Christmas tree.
- Decorate: Place a pretzel stick at the bottom of each frosted brownie triangle to serve as the tree trunk. Then sprinkle the rainbow confetti sprinkles over the frosting, and top each tree with a yellow star sprinkle to complete the festive look.
Notes
- Ensure brownies are completely cooled before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
- Adjust green food coloring according to your preferred tree color intensity.
- Use piping bags with different nozzles for creative frosting designs.
- Brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
