Christmas Tree Brownies
Christmas Tree Brownies – Easy Decorated Christmas Brownies
These adorable Christmas Tree Brownies are the perfect easy Christmas dessert! Rich, fudgy chocolate brownies are cut into triangles, decorated with festive green icing, and finished with a shiny gold star on top and pretty white sprinkles to look like little Christmas trees.
If you’re looking for a simple Christmas treat that looks beautiful on a holiday dessert table, these decorated brownies are such a fun idea! You don’t need special cookie cutters or complicated decorating techniques. Just bake a pan of brownies, slice them into triangles, and decorate each one like a festive Christmas tree.
The combination of rich chocolate brownies, sweet green frosting, and delicate white sprinkles makes these Christmas Tree Brownies a delicious holiday treat for kids and adults alike.
They’re perfect for Christmas parties, holiday cookie trays, classroom celebrations, Christmas Eve gatherings, and festive family baking.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 25–30 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 12 Christmas tree brownies
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Tree Brownies
- Easy Christmas dessert: Simple ingredients and easy decorating make these brownies perfect for holiday baking.
- Rich and fudgy: Homemade chocolate brownies create a delicious base for the festive decorations.
- Adorable Christmas tree shape: Triangle-cut brownies look just like little Christmas trees.
- Beautiful holiday decorations: Green icing, white sprinkles, and gold stars create a festive appearance.
- Perfect for parties: These brownies look wonderful on Christmas dessert trays and holiday platters.
- Fun to decorate: A great Christmas baking activity for the whole family.
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
For the Christmas Tree Decorations
- 1 cup vanilla buttercream frosting
- Green gel food coloring
- White sprinkles
- 12 edible gold star decorations
How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little extra parchment hanging over the sides to make removing the brownies easier.
Lightly grease the parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare the Brownie Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until combined.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
Avoid overmixing the brownie batter.
Step 3: Bake the Brownies
Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan.
Spread evenly with a spatula.
Bake for approximately 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting and decorating.
Step 4: Cut the Brownies into Christmas Trees
Once the brownies have cooled, carefully lift them out of the baking pan using the parchment paper.
Place the brownies on a cutting board.
Using a sharp knife, cut the brownies into triangular shapes to resemble Christmas trees.
For approximately 12 trees, cut the brownie slab into three equal strips, then cut each strip into alternating triangles. Some edge pieces may be smaller.
Wipe the knife between cuts to create clean edges.
Step 5: Prepare the Green Icing
Place the vanilla buttercream frosting into a small mixing bowl.
Add a few drops of green gel food coloring and stir until the frosting reaches your desired Christmas tree green color.
Transfer the green frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small star tip or round decorating tip.
Step 6: Decorate the Christmas Trees
Pipe the green icing onto each triangle-shaped brownie.
Start near the pointed top of the brownie and work your way toward the wider bottom, creating a zigzag pattern that resembles Christmas tree branches.
You can also pipe small rows of frosting across the brownie for a fuller Christmas tree appearance.
Step 7: Add the White Sprinkles
While the frosting is still soft, sprinkle white sprinkles over the green icing.
The white sprinkles create a beautiful snowy appearance against the green frosting.
Step 8: Add the Gold Stars
Carefully place one edible gold star at the pointed top of each Christmas tree brownie.
Gently press the star into the frosting to help it stay in place.
Step 9: Serve
Allow the frosting to set slightly before transferring the brownies to a serving platter.
Arrange the Christmas Tree Brownies on a festive holiday tray and enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Christmas Tree Brownies
Cool the brownies completely. Warm brownies are difficult to cut cleanly and can cause the frosting to melt.
Use a sharp knife. A large, sharp knife makes it easier to cut neat triangle shapes.
Chill before cutting. Refrigerating the cooled brownies for 20–30 minutes can make them firmer and easier to slice.
Use gel food coloring. Green gel coloring creates a vibrant Christmas tree color without thinning the frosting.
Choose a small piping tip. A star or round piping tip works beautifully for creating decorative green branches.
Add the decorations immediately. White sprinkles and gold stars adhere best while the frosting is still soft.
Use edible gold stars. Make sure the gold star decorations are labeled edible rather than decorative only.
How to Cut Brownies into Christmas Tree Shapes
One of the easiest things about these Christmas Tree Brownies is that you don’t need a special Christmas tree cookie cutter.
Simply bake a square pan of brownies and allow them to cool completely.
Remove the brownies from the pan and place them on a cutting board.
Cut the brownie slab into even strips, then cut diagonally across each strip to create triangular pieces.
The pointed end becomes the top of the Christmas tree, while the wider end becomes the bottom.
Once decorated with green icing, white sprinkles, and a gold star, the simple triangle shape transforms into an adorable Christmas tree.
Easy Christmas Tree Brownie Decorating Ideas
These brownies are beautiful with green icing and white sprinkles, but there are several fun ways to decorate them.
Snowy Christmas Tree Brownies
Use extra white sprinkles to create the appearance of freshly fallen snow on the green icing.
Colorful Christmas Tree Brownies
Add miniature red, green, and gold candy sprinkles to resemble colorful Christmas ornaments.
Chocolate Christmas Tree Brownies
Drizzle melted white chocolate over the green icing for an extra festive finish.
Christmas Tree Brownies with Pretzel Trunks
Insert a small pretzel stick into the bottom of each brownie triangle to create an edible tree trunk.
Sparkling Christmas Tree Brownies
Add a light sprinkle of white sanding sugar for a beautiful sparkling snow effect.
Can You Use Boxed Brownie Mix?
Absolutely!
If you’re short on time, you can use your favorite boxed brownie mix instead of making the brownies from scratch.
Prepare and bake the brownies according to the package instructions, using a pan that produces brownies thick enough to cut into sturdy triangles.
Allow them to cool completely before decorating.
This is a great shortcut for busy holiday baking days.
How to Store Christmas Tree Brownies
Store the decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days if using a shelf-stable buttercream frosting.
For longer storage, refrigerate the brownies for up to 5 days.
Place parchment paper between layers if stacking is necessary, although storing them in a single layer is best for protecting the decorations.
Allow refrigerated brownies to sit at room temperature for approximately 15 minutes before serving for the best texture.
Can You Make Christmas Tree Brownies Ahead of Time?
Yes!
These Christmas Tree Brownies are a wonderful make-ahead holiday dessert.
You can bake the brownies one or two days in advance and store them in an airtight container.
When you’re ready to decorate, cut the brownies into triangles, pipe on the green frosting, and add the white sprinkles and gold stars.
For the prettiest presentation, decorate the brownies the day you plan to serve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make Christmas tree brownies?
Bake a pan of chocolate brownies, allow them to cool, and cut them into triangles. Decorate each triangle with green icing, white sprinkles, and an edible gold star.
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Yes! Store-bought vanilla frosting works well. Simply tint it with green gel food coloring before decorating.
What kind of sprinkles are best?
White nonpareils, white sanding sugar, or small white snowflake sprinkles all work beautifully.
How do I keep brownies from crumbling when cutting?
Allow the brownies to cool completely and chill them briefly before cutting. Use a sharp knife and wipe the blade clean between cuts.
Can I use a brownie mix?
Absolutely! A boxed brownie mix is a convenient shortcut for this easy Christmas dessert.
Do Christmas Tree Brownies need to be refrigerated?
Brownies decorated with a shelf-stable buttercream can be stored at room temperature for a short period. If using cream cheese frosting or another perishable topping, refrigeration is necessary.
Can I freeze Christmas Tree Brownies?
The undecorated brownies freeze well for up to 2 months. For the best appearance, thaw the brownies before adding the icing and decorations.
More Easy Christmas Treats
If you love these adorable Christmas Tree Brownies, try making more festive holiday desserts such as:
- Rudolph Cupcakes
- Reindeer Brownies
- Melted Snowman Cookies
- Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
- Rudolph Noses Chocolate Pretzels
- Christmas M&M Brittle
- Decorated Snowman Brownies
- Christmas Tree Hot Cocoa Bombs
The Perfect Easy Christmas Brownies
These Christmas Tree Brownies are a simple and festive dessert that makes holiday baking extra fun.
With their rich chocolate flavor, adorable triangle shape, green icing, snowy white sprinkles, and beautiful gold stars, they’re a wonderful addition to any Christmas dessert table.
Whether you’re making them for a Christmas party, holiday cookie exchange, classroom celebration, or a cozy afternoon of Christmas baking, these easy decorated brownies are sure to bring a little extra holiday cheer!
