These Christmas tree brownies combine rich, fudgy chocolate brownies with colourful festive decorations. Each triangle is finished with green icing, sprinkles and a pretzel-stick trunk to create an easy edible Christmas tree.
The brownies can be prepared from scratch or made with a reliable boxed mixture when time is limited. Decorating them is a simple activity for children, parties and holiday baking days.
Arrange the finished trees on a Christmas dessert board or package them individually as edible gifts.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Brownies
- Rich, fudgy texture.
- Easy Christmas-tree shape.
- Colourful festive appearance.
- Suitable for decorating with children.
- Easy to prepare ahead.
- Perfect for school parties.
- Simple to package as gifts.
- Customisable decorations.
- No special cutter required.
- Attractive on Christmas dessert tables.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Brownies
- ½ cup unsalted butter.
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar.
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar.
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract.
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour.
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder.
- ½ teaspoon salt.
For Decorating
- 1½ cups icing sugar.
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened.
- 1–2 tablespoons milk.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Green gel food colouring.
- Christmas sprinkles.
- Mini candy-coated chocolates.
- 8–12 pretzel sticks or striped paper straws for display only.
- Small star-shaped sweets, optional.
Ingredient Notes
Chocolate: Semisweet chocolate creates a rich flavour without making the brownies excessively sweet.
Cocoa powder: Adds deeper chocolate flavour and supports the fudgy texture.
Green colouring: Gel colouring creates a bright colour without making the icing runny.
Pretzel sticks: Create edible tree trunks. Insert them gently to avoid cracking the brownies.
Sprinkles: Use small decorations that adhere easily to the icing.
How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Tin
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Grease and line an 8 × 8-inch metal baking tin with parchment paper.
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Chocolate
Place the butter and chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
Melt them gently using a microwave in short intervals or over a pan of barely simmering water.
Stir until smooth and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
Step 3: Add the Sugar
Whisk the granulated sugar and brown sugar into the chocolate mixture.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition.
Mix in the vanilla until the batter appears glossy.
Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients
Sift the flour, cocoa powder and salt over the wet mixture.
Fold until no dry pockets remain. Avoid excessive mixing.
Step 6: Bake the Brownies
Spread the batter evenly inside the prepared tin.
Bake for 22–28 minutes.
Remove the brownies when the edges appear set and a toothpick contains moist crumbs.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Cool the brownies fully inside the tin.
Chill them briefly before cutting if you want particularly clean shapes.
Step 8: Cut the Tree Shapes
Lift the brownie slab onto a chopping board.
Cut it into three equal horizontal strips, then cut each strip diagonally into triangles.
Save the smaller offcuts for snacking or dessert toppings.
Step 9: Make the Green Icing
Beat the butter until smooth.
Gradually add the icing sugar, vanilla and enough milk to create a pipeable consistency.
Add green gel colouring until the desired shade is reached.
Step 10: Decorate the Trees
Pipe the icing across each brownie in a zigzag pattern.
Add sprinkles and mini sweets before the icing sets.
Insert a pretzel-stick trunk into the bottom of each brownie.
Tips for Clean Brownie Trees
Cool the Brownies Completely
Warm brownies will crumble and produce untidy shapes.
Chill Before Cutting
Approximately 30 minutes in the refrigerator creates firmer edges.
Use a Large Sharp Knife
Press down firmly rather than sawing through the brownies.
Wipe Between Cuts
Remove chocolate crumbs from the knife after each cut.
Use Gel Food Colouring
Liquid colouring may make the icing too thin.
Decorate One at a Time
Add the sprinkles immediately after piping so they adhere properly.
Easy Decorating Variations
Snow-Covered Trees
Use white icing and silver sprinkles.
Chocolate Christmas Trees
Pipe melted chocolate instead of buttercream.
Candy-Cane Trees
Decorate with crushed peppermint sweets.
Reindeer Brownies
Cut rectangular brownies and add pretzel antlers, candy eyes and red sweets.
Christmas Present Brownies
Cut squares and pipe contrasting icing ribbons across the surface.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Bake the brownie slab up to two days before decorating.
Cool it completely and store it securely covered. Cut and decorate the trees one day before serving.
How to Store Christmas Brownies
Store decorated brownies in a single layer inside an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
Refrigerate them if the room is warm, but allow them to return to room temperature before serving.
Can You Freeze Christmas Tree Brownies?
Freeze undecorated brownies for up to three months.
Thaw them completely before cutting and decorating. Decorations and pretzel sticks may soften during freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a boxed brownie mixture?
Yes. Prepare it in an 8 × 8-inch tin and cool it completely before cutting.
How do I prevent the brownies from crumbling?
Avoid overbaking, cool them fully and chill before cutting.
Can children decorate these brownies?
Yes, with appropriate adult supervision.
Can I use melted candy coating?
Yes. Green candy melts can replace the buttercream decoration.
How many trees does the recipe make?
The yield depends on cutting size, but it makes approximately 8–12 trees.
Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe Card
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 22–28 minutes
Cooling and decorating time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Total time: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 8–12 brownie trees
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Method: Baking
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter.
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar.
- ½ cup light brown sugar.
- 2 large eggs.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla.
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour.
- ¼ cup cocoa powder.
- ½ teaspoon salt.
- 1½ cups icing sugar.
- ¼ cup softened butter.
- 1–2 tablespoons milk.
- Green gel colouring.
- Christmas sprinkles.
- Pretzel sticks.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease and line an 8 × 8-inch tin.
- Melt the butter and chocolate.
- Whisk in both sugars.
- Add the eggs and vanilla.
- Fold in the flour, cocoa and salt.
- Spread the batter inside the tin.
- Bake for 22–28 minutes.
- Cool completely.
- Cut the brownie slab into triangles.
- Beat the icing ingredients until smooth.
- Colour the icing green.
- Pipe it across each triangle.
- Add sprinkles and sweets.
- Insert a pretzel-stick trunk.
Recipe Notes
- Avoid overbaking.
- Cool and chill the brownies before cutting.
- Use gel food colouring.
- Add sprinkles before the icing sets.
- Test the complete recipe before confirming the exact yield.