Easy Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Christmas ain’t Christmas without a little sugar rush, am I right? And these Easy Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe are not only ridiculously easy (even I can’t mess them up too bad), but they’re also just plain adorable. We’re talking fudgy, chocolatey goodness decked out in festive green frosting and sprinkles – basically, happiness in brownie form. Trust me, you need these in your life.
I swear, my husband, bless his heart, turns into a giant kid when he sees these. Last year, he tried to sneak one before dinner. I caught him red-handed with green frosting on his nose. My little ones love to help decorate these little brownies too. It’s become a tradition and a family favorite. One year, we tried adding peppermint extract to the brownie batter, but whoa… it was way too overpowering. So, moral of the story: stick to the recipe, or at least, don’t go crazy with the peppermint.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Okay, let’s be real. Why ARE these brownies so great?
- They’re so easy, even a sugar-addicted elf could make them (with a little help maybe)!
- Hello, they’re shaped like Christmas trees. Photo opp, anyone?
- Fudgy brownies + sweet frosting + sprinkles = pure, unadulterated joy.
- You can totally get the kids involved. Just prepare for a little frosting mess. (Okay, a LOT of frosting mess).
- Leftovers (if there are any) are amazing with a cup of hot cocoa. Just sayin’.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get down to business. Preheat your oven – don’t forget! I always forget. Grab your favorite brownie mix (or, you know, make brownies from scratch if you’re feeling ambitious – I usually am not). Prepare the brownie mix according to the box, but hey, feel free to add a splash of vanilla extract or a handful of chocolate chips for extra oomph. Pour it into a baking pan and bake until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. You want fudgy, not dry, people!
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Once they’re cooled, use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out your little trees. Then comes the fun part: frosting! Tint some frosting green (gel food coloring is your friend here). Slap it on those brownies, and go wild with the sprinkles! I like to use star sprinkles for the top, but honestly, anything goes. Get creative! Let everything set, then try not to eat them all in one sitting. I usually fail at that last part.
Ingredient Notes
- Brownie Mix: Okay, you can use any brownie mix. I’m partial to the Ghirardelli one, but the cheap stuff works too in a pinch!
- Green Food Coloring: Gel is the way to go, friends. It gives you that vibrant green without making the frosting all watery.
- Vanilla Extract: Don’t skip this! It just adds that little something extra. Once I used almond extract because I was out of vanilla and it was… interesting.
- Sprinkles: Get the good sprinkles. You deserve it.
- Butter or Oil (for brownie mix): Seriously, use what the box says. One time I thought I could be clever and substitute applesauce… Don’t do it.
Recipe Steps:
- Preheat oven to specified temperature on the brownie mix box.
- Prepare brownie mix according to package instructions.
- Pour batter into a greased baking pan.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
- Let brownies cool completely.
- Use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out tree shapes.
- Tint frosting green using food coloring.
- Frost the brownie trees.
- Decorate with sprinkles.
- Let frosting set before serving.
What to Serve It With
Hot cocoa, obviously! Or milk. Or a big ol’ glass of wine. No judgment here. They’re also amazing with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you’re feeling extra decadent. Basically, they go with anything that screams “Christmas indulgence.”
Tips & Mistakes
- Don’t overbake the brownies! Fudgy is the goal.
- Let the brownies cool completely before cutting them. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a crumbly mess (I’ve been there).
- If your frosting is too thick, add a tiny bit of milk or water to thin it out.
- Don’t be afraid to get creative with the sprinkles! It’s all about having fun.
- Speaking of fun, don’t try to make these when you are starving. You’ll end up eating half the batter.
- Don’t let the kids lick the beaters. I mean, you can, but maybe not. I’m not judging.
Storage Tips
Okay, so if you somehow have leftovers (which I doubt), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for a few days, but honestly, they never last that long at my house. And yeah, you can totally eat them cold straight from the fridge. I may or may not have done that for breakfast more than once.
Variations and Substitutions
- Different Frosting: Not a fan of green? Use white frosting and add silver or gold sprinkles. Or go wild with different colors!
- Nuts: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the brownie batter for a little crunch. I’m not a nut person, but some people are.
- Peppermint: A tiny amount of peppermint extract in the frosting is yummy. But seriously, a tiny amount.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free brownie mix. I’ve tried it, and it works just fine.
- No Cookie Cutter: Don’t have a cookie cutter? Just cut them into squares. Still tasty!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 0.75 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup green frosting for decorating
- 0.25 cup sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in eggs one at a time.
- In another bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and flour. Gradually stir into the butter mixture until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
- Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut into triangles.
- Decorate with green frosting and sprinkles to resemble Christmas trees.
Notes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
