Christmas Tree Brownies are rich, fudgy chocolate brownies decorated to look like Christmas trees — a festive and fun holiday treat.
With only days to go until the holiday, these brownies are a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert you can make at home. I finally tried this classic festive idea while celebrating an early Christmas/birthday with my cousin — and it was worth it.
Christmas Tree Brownies!
These brownies are easier and faster to make than they look. Start with a reliable fudgy brownie base — I adapted my go-to brownie recipe to fit a larger 9″ x 13″ pan so the pieces turn into large, triangular ‘trees.’ The result is always gooey, rich brownies with a crackly top.
Once the brownies are baked and cooled, top them with a simple vanilla buttercream dyed green. Pipe the icing in a zigzag from the tip of each triangle to the base to mimic tree branches. Use mini M&Ms, Smarties or colourful candies as ornaments and press a broken candy cane piece or similar into the base of each triangle to act as a trunk.
Decorating options are flexible: use festive sprinkles, add a small gold star at the top of each tree, or make smaller trees by cutting the brownies into more pieces. I cut my pan in half lengthwise and then shaped triangles from each half for large, generous trees. If you prefer bite-sized treats, cut the brownie into thirds or smaller triangles.
These brownies are simple, festive, and a hit at holiday gatherings. Below is the full recipe and step-by-step instructions so you can recreate them at home.
Print Recipe
Christmas Tree Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 and ½ Cups Dark Chocolate (270g)
- 1 Cup and 3 Tbsp. Butter (250g)
- 3 Large Eggs
- ½ Cup Sugar (100g)
- ¾ Cup Brown Sugar (130g)
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour (240g)
- ½ Cup Cocoa (47.5g)
- ¾ Cup Chocolate Chips (135g)
Christmas Tree Topping;
- ¼ Cup Butter, Softened (55g)
- 2 Cups Icing Sugar (240g)
- 2 Tbsp. Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Cup M&Ms (200g)
- 5-7 Drops Green Food Colouring
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 9″x13″ baking tin with parchment.
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Melt the butter and dark chocolate together until smooth.
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Whisk the eggs, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until the mixture lightens to a golden colour.
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Stir in the melted chocolate mixture, then fold in the dry ingredients and chocolate chips until just combined.
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Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
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Bake for 20–25 minutes. The edges will be set; the center should have moist crumbs attached to a skewer but not be wet.
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Let the brownies cool completely before slicing.
Icing;
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While the brownies cool, make the icing.
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Beat the softened butter, vanilla, milk and icing sugar together until smooth and fluffy.
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Add green food colouring a few drops at a time until you reach the desired shade.
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Transfer the icing to a piping bag and snip a small corner or fit a small tip for piping.
Christmas Trees;
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Slice the cooled brownies down the middle lengthwise.
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Cut each half into triangular pieces — you should get roughly 10–12 trees depending on size.
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Starting at the tip of each triangle, pipe the green icing in zigzags to form the tree shape.
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Decorate with M&Ms or other small candies and press in a small candy cane piece or similar to form the trunk.
Nutrition
