If you want to wow your friends and family this holiday season, nothing beats the joy of indulging in Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting. These delightful treats combine the rich, fudgy goodness of classic brownies with the festive charm of vibrant green frosting shaped into cute tree silhouettes. Whether you’re hosting a kids’ party, searching for a unique Christmas dessert, or craving something irresistibly chocolaty, this recipe serves up a perfect blend of simplicity and celebration that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering all the right ingredients is the first step to creating these irresistible Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting. Each component plays a crucial role in ensuring the perfect texture, flavor, and festive appearance. From luscious melted butter to the deep chocolate punch from cocoa powder, these staples come together to craft a dessert that’s both familiar and fun.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted: Provides richness and a moist, fudgy texture to the brownies.
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter perfectly without overpowering the chocolate flavor.
- 3 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and create structure for chewy brownies.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances the chocolate notes with a subtle, warm flavor.
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder: The star ingredient that packs intense chocolate flavor and a beautiful dark color.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: Adds the necessary body and fluffiness to the brownies.
- ½ tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens the overall taste.
How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper or a light greasing. This step ensures your brownies won’t stick and will bake evenly. A well-prepped pan sets the foundation for perfect brownies every time.
Step 2: Mix Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter with granulated sugar. Stir well until the mixture looks smooth and glossy. This blend forms the base for sweet, rich brownies, giving them that signature fudginess you’ll adore.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs, then pour in the vanilla extract. Whisk everything together to create a velvety batter. The eggs help bind the brownies, while vanilla adds subtle layers of flavor underneath all that chocolate goodness.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, and salt. This ensures there are no lumps and that the dry ingredients incorporate smoothly. Then, fold these into your wet batter gently, but thoroughly—overmixing can toughen brownies, so just stir until combined.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan and pop it into your preheated oven. Bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Once baked, allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting — this keeps them firm enough to hold their festive tree shape.
Step 6: Cut and Decorate the Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting
Carefully slice the cooled brownies into triangle shapes and frost each with luscious green chocolate frosting. This final touch transforms these treats into charming Christmas trees. Decorate with sprinkles or edible glitter to add sparkle and delight that will impress kids and adults alike.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting
Garnishes
Elevate your Christmas Tree Brownies with fun garnishes like rainbow sprinkles, mini red candies resembling ornaments, or edible gold dust for a magical shimmer. These little details not only make the brownies more festive but also add a delightful crunch and pop of color that excites the eyes and taste buds.
Side Dishes
Pair these brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. A cup of hot cocoa or spiced mulled wine complements the richness of the chocolate frosting and makes your holiday gathering even cozier.
Creative Ways to Present
For a unique twist, arrange your frosted brownies on a platter shaped like a snowy hill or wreath. You can even place toothpicks with tiny star toppers into each brownie tree for a charming display that doubles as easy party finger food. Presentation makes these brownies not just dessert but a centerpiece conversation starter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them moist and fresh so you can enjoy every last bite without losing that fudgy texture.
Freezing
If you want to make these in advance, freeze the unfrosted brownies tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before frosting to avoid condensation affecting the glaze. This makes holiday prep stress-free and keeps your brownies tasting freshly baked.
Reheating
When ready to serve, warm brownies slightly in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds to bring back that gooey, just-out-of-the-oven feel. Avoid overheating to keep edges from drying out and enjoy them perfectly soft every time.
FAQs
Can I use boxed brownie mix instead of making from scratch?
Definitely! Using a boxed mix is a convenient shortcut if short on time. Just bake according to package instructions, then cool, cut, and decorate with green chocolate frosting to get that festive Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting look.
What’s the best way to pipe the chocolate frosting on the brownies?
For neat, tree-shaped frosting, use a piping bag fitted with a star or round tip. If you don’t have one, a small plastic bag with a corner snipped off works just fine. Start from the base of the brownie triangle and swirl upwards to create branches.
Can these brownies be made gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just ensure your cocoa powder and other ingredients are also gluten-free to keep your Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting safe for guests with sensitivities.
How do I keep the green frosting from melting?
Make sure the brownies are completely cooled before frosting. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate the brownies before decorating. Also, use a stable frosting recipe made with powdered sugar and a bit of butter or shortening to help maintain shape.
Can I decorate these brownies with other colors besides green?
Absolutely! While green frosting gives that classic Christmas tree vibe, feel free to get creative with red, white, or gold frosting. Multi-colored sprinkles and edible glitter can also add a festive spark to your Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting.
Final Thoughts
Making Christmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting is one of those joyful kitchen moments that feels both cozy and magical. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create a dessert that brings smiles and warmth to any holiday celebration. Give this recipe a try to spread some chocolatey cheer this season — your taste buds and guests will thank you!
PrintChristmas Tree Brownies with Chocolate Frosting
Rich and fudgy Christmas tree brownies cut into festive shapes and decorated with green chocolate frosting and sprinkles, perfect for holiday celebrations and kids’ Christmas parties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 24 brownies (cut into triangles) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Brownie Batter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
Decoration
- Green chocolate frosting (amount as needed)
- Sprinkles (as desired)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter and granulated sugar until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse flavor.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually sift in the unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, and salt. Stir gently but completely until the batter is smooth and uniform in color, taking care not to overmix.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached but is not wet with batter.
- Cool Completely: Remove the brownies from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling step is important to ensure clean cuts.
- Cut and Decorate: Once cooled, cut the brownies into triangle shapes resembling Christmas trees. Spread green chocolate frosting on each triangle and decorate with colorful sprinkles to create festive holiday treats.
Notes
- To make cutting easier, refrigerate the brownies after they have cooled completely.
- You can use store-bought green frosting or tint vanilla frosting with green food coloring.
- For added texture, sprinkle crushed nuts or edible glitter on top of the frosting.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.