Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these Festive Christmas Tree Brownies, a delightful twist on classic brownies shaped like Christmas trees and decorated with vibrant green frosting and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for family gatherings, school parties, or as a cheerful homemade gift, these brownies combine rich chocolate flavor with a fun, festive presentation that will bring joy to any celebration.
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (62g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Green Frosting
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring, a few drops
Decorations
- Multicolored holiday sprinkles
- Miniature edible pearls or candy stars (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Brownie Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and sugar, stirring until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, sift together cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into a greased 8×8-inch baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Cut Brownies into Christmas Trees: Once cooled, use a Christmas tree shaped cookie cutter to cut out the brownie shapes. Gently lift each cutout and place on a serving platter or parchment-lined tray.
- Make the Green Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well. Add milk, vanilla extract, and green food coloring, adjusting the amount to achieve a bright, festive green. Continue beating until smooth and spreadable.
- Decorate the Brownies: Using a spatula or piping bag, generously frost each brownie tree with the green frosting. Immediately decorate with multicolored holiday sprinkles and edible pearls or candy stars to mimic ornaments and lights. Let set for 15 minutes before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Present your festive Christmas tree brownies on a holiday platter and enjoy the rich chocolate flavor combined with cheerful, colorful decoration.
Notes
- Allow brownies to cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling.
- If you don’t have a Christmas tree shaped cutter, cut the brownies into triangles and decorate them similarly.
- Store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
- You can add nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for added texture if desired.
