Holiday treats sparkle with a carefree spirit when the calendar flips to the festive season. These Christmas tree brownies bring a playful, eye-catching element to gatherings, pairing perfectly with cozy movie nights and the giddy energy of friends and family decorating together. They’re delightfully simple to make yet charming enough to feel special, which is why they tend to disappear quickly when a crowd is involved. The idea is to create little evergreen desserts that are easy to cut, easy to decorate, and easy to share. In a busy kitchen, the process becomes a social ritual: a chance to chat, swap decorating tips, and savor bites while the scent of chocolate fills the room. The method emphasizes practical steps that anyone can follow, with cooling time giving bakers space to plan the next ornament or flavor tweak. Because the base is a familiar brownie mix, home cooks can rely on a trusted recipe and still enjoy the festive flair. The result is not just a sweet treat but a tiny edible ornament that captures the spirit of the season, inviting guests to nibble and admire before moving on to the next creative idea. In essence, these Christmas tree brownies turn ordinary dessert into a cheerful, shareable activity that complements holiday traditions without complicating them.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Christmas tree cutter or cookie cutter shaped like a small evergreen and sturdy enough to press through baked brownies, leaving clean edges for neat tree shapes.
- One tube of green decorating frosting or a small can of green buttercream, plus optional tips to vary texture and line quality for tree patterns.
- One box of brownie mix, plus the ingredients listed on the box, with butter, eggs, and any required liquids measured and ready for mixing.
- A colorful assortment of decorations such as holiday sprinkles, edible glitter, red and white candy accents, and mini M&Ms for pops of color on each tree.
- Optional: mini candy canes that can serve as tree trunks or additional decorative touches on the finished bites.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Begin by preparing the brownies exactly as directed on the box, and ensure an adult supervises the process. Allow the baked sheet to cool completely before moving on to cutting; this prevents crumbling and helps the shapes hold their edges neatly.
- Once the brownies have cooled, press the Christmas tree cutter into the sheet to stamp out tree shapes. Arrange the cutouts on a wide tray lined with wax paper so they don’t stick as they wait for decoration.
- With the green frosting, outline the edges or fill in simple patterns on each brownie tree, then top with holiday sprinkles and mini M&Ms for a festive look. If desired, insert one mini candy cane into the bottom of the tree to resemble a trunk, and let the frosting set slightly before serving for clean, tidy presentation.