Oh wow the sweet chocolate smell feels like Christmas right away. It’s warm and cozy like sitting by the lights on the tree. I made these last year and they made the whole house feel happy.

I love cutting the brownies into little tree shapes. It feels fun and cute and the frosting makes them look so bright. Every bite tastes soft and festive.

I like treats that feel simple but still special. These brownies do that with just a little decoration. You will want to make a whole tray.

So yeah let’s make them together. It’s easy and feels like a fun holiday moment. Come on I’ll show you how to start.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive and Fun: These brownies are perfect for spreading holiday cheer. The tree shape and the colorful decorations will have everyone smiling.
Rich and Decadent: The brownies themselves are wonderfully moist, rich, and chocolatey, thanks to the semisweet chocolate chips and a few other simple ingredients.
Simple Ingredients: You won’t need to search for special ingredients; everything you need is probably already in your kitchen.
Perfect for Gifting: Pack these beautiful brownies in a cute box and gift them to friends, family, or colleagues. They make for a sweet holiday treat!
Kid-Friendly: Kids love both making and eating these adorable brownies. Let them help decorate the trees for an interactive family activity.

Required Kitchen Tools

To make these Christmas Tree Brownies, you’ll need the following tools:

9×9 Baking Dish or Square Pan: The size ensures that the brownies will cook evenly and give you a good base for decorating.
Mixing Bowls: For combining the brownie ingredients and the frosting.
Whisk and Spatula: To mix everything smoothly.
Baking Sheet: For setting the brownies once they are decorated.
Paring Knife or Cookie Cutter: If you want to cut the brownies into tree shapes or create stencils.
Piping Bag: For decorating the Christmas trees with frosting.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accuracy in your ingredients.
Cooling Rack: For cooling the brownies before decorating.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these brownies from scratch (exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below):

For the Brownies:

Cooking Spray: To prevent the brownies from sticking to the pan.
Butter: Use unsalted butter to ensure the flavor is balanced and the texture is perfectly fudgy.
Semisweet Chocolate Chips: These are the key ingredient to achieving that rich, chocolatey flavor in your brownies.
Granulated Sugar: To sweeten the brownies and give them their chewy texture.
Eggs: Eggs provide moisture and structure to the brownies.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of warm, aromatic sweetness.
Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.
All-Purpose Flour: For the base of the brownies and to provide structure without being too dense.

For the Decorations:

Candy Canes: The perfect holiday addition. Crush them or leave them whole to create tree trunks and add a festive touch.
Gold Star Sprinkles or Candies: These will serve as the stars on top of the trees, making the decorations sparkle.
Rainbow Sprinkles: For an extra pop of color to represent Christmas ornaments on the tree.
Green Frosting: You can either use store-bought or homemade frosting (recipe provided below). Green frosting is the perfect color for creating the tree effect on the brownies.

Homemade Frosting (Optional, but highly recommended for extra holiday flair!):

Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and creates that perfect texture.
Butter: Helps give the frosting a creamy and smooth consistency.
Vanilla Extract: To give it a warm, comforting flavor.
Milk: Adds the right amount of creaminess to the frosting.
Green Food Coloring: To turn the frosting into a vibrant green for that classic Christmas tree look.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). While the oven is heating up, spray a 9×9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the brownies later.

2. Melt the Butter and Chocolate Chips

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and semisweet chocolate chips together. Do this in short bursts, about 20-30 seconds at a time, stirring in between to avoid burning. Once melted, let the mixture cool slightly.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Pour in the slightly cooled chocolate and butter mixture and stir until fully combined.

4. Add Dry Ingredients

Add the flour and salt to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the brownies tough. The batter should be thick and glossy.

5. Bake the Brownies

Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Be careful not to overbake, as you want the brownies to be fudgy.

6. Let the Brownies Cool

Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Afterward, transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

7. Cut the Brownies into Tree Shapes

Once the brownies have cooled, you can use a cookie cutter in the shape of a tree, or simply use a paring knife to cut the brownies into triangles that resemble Christmas trees. If you’re using a cookie cutter, press it into the brownies gently and then lift out the tree shapes. Place the cut brownies on a baking sheet.

Decorating the Christmas Tree Brownies

8. Prepare the Green Frosting

While the brownies are cooling, you can make the green frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Add a few drops of green food coloring until you achieve the desired shade of green. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk to reach a spreadable consistency.

9. Frost the Brownies

Spoon the green frosting into a piping bag fitted with a star tip or simply use a plastic sandwich bag with the corner cut off. Pipe the frosting onto each brownie tree in a zigzag pattern to resemble the branches of a Christmas tree. Start from the bottom and work your way up.

10. Decorate with Sprinkles and Candy

Once the trees are frosted, decorate them with your gold star sprinkles, rainbow sprinkles, and candy canes. Break the candy canes into small pieces and use them as the tree trunks. Sprinkle the stars and rainbow sprinkles on the frosting to resemble ornaments.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Brownies

These festive brownies are perfect for any holiday celebration. Here are a few ideas for serving:

Holiday Parties: Serve these at a Christmas party as a fun, festive treat.
Gift Giving: Pack a few brownies in a holiday tin and give them to family, friends, or colleagues.
Christmas Dinner Dessert: Make these brownies as part of your dessert table alongside other holiday favorites.
As a Kid’s Activity: Let the little ones decorate their own Christmas tree brownies for an interactive and fun experience.

Storing Christmas Tree Brownies

Room Temperature: Keep any leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
In the Refrigerator: If you prefer them chilled or need to store them for longer, they can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezing: If you want to make these brownies ahead of time, they can be frozen. Wrap the brownies tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw at room temperature before decorating.

Nutrition Information (per brownie)

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	200 kcal
Fat	12g
Carbohydrates	24g
Protein	2g
Fiber	1g
Sugars	18g

(Note: The above information is an estimate and can vary based on ingredient brands and portion sizes.)

Conclusion

These Christmas Tree Brownies are sure to be a hit at your holiday gatherings, and they’re a fun way to spread holiday cheer. The rich, chocolatey flavor of the brownies paired with the festive decorations make for a treat that’s both beautiful and delicious. With just a few simple steps, you can create a delightful dessert that will impress your guests, or even share with loved ones as a thoughtful gift.