Name: Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 200 g unsalted butter; 200 g dark chocolate; 4 medium eggs; 275 g caster sugar; 100 g plain flour; 50 g cocoa powder; 100 g milk chocolate chips; 100 g white chocolate chips; 10 candy canes; 100 g unsalted butter; 200 g icing sugar; Green food colouring; Sprinkles; Sweets

There’s something truly magical about baking treats that bring festive cheer, and this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe is exactly that—a delightful blend of rich chocolate and festive fun, perfect for sharing with loved ones during the holidays.

The image shows several triangular chocolate cake slices arranged on a white marbled surface. Each cake slice has one layer of dark brown chocolate cake topped with a thick, wavy layer of bright green frosting that looks smooth and creamy, piped diagonally across the top. Small colorful candy balls in pink, purple, blue, red, yellow, orange, and green are scattered on the frosting, creating a fun, festive look. Each slice has a small striped candy stick placed at the wide end, extending outward. Around the cake slices, there are loose colorful candy balls scattered on the white marbled surface, adding to the playful arrangement. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I always find that brownies are a crowd-pleaser, but giving them a festive twist with Christmas tree shapes and candy cane sticks makes them a party centerpiece that gets everyone talking. It’s not just about how delicious they are — it’s about the fun and joy of creating them with a seasonal spirit.

Festive Fun: Shaping brownies like Christmas trees adds a playful holiday touch that both kids and adults adore.
Rich & Moist: The combination of dark chocolate and cocoa powder ensures every bite is decadently fudgy but perfectly baked.
Customizable Decor: From green buttercream to colorful sprinkles, you can easily make these your own little art projects.
Great for Gifting: These brownies can be beautifully wrapped, making them a sweet homemade gift that everyone will appreciate.

The image shows a triangle-shaped chocolate brownie designed like a Christmas tree. The bottom layer is dark brown brownie with a rough texture. On top, there is a thick layer of green frosting piped in swirled lines resembling tree branches. Small round candy balls in bright colors like blue, pink, orange, purple, and yellow are placed on the frosting like ornaments. A yellow candy ball is at the tip of the triangle. A striped candy stick is inserted horizontally at the bottom, looking like the tree trunk. A woman's hand holds one brownie in the foreground, with more brownies visible on a white plate and white marbled surface in the background. Gingerbread cookies and festive lights are faintly visible in the blurry background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe uses classic ingredients that blend for a luscious texture and balanced flavor, plus simple decoration ingredients that transform your brownies into festive treats. I always suggest quality chocolate for the best results—trust me, it makes a huge difference.

Flat lay of unsalted butter in a small white ceramic bowl, dark chocolate squares stacked neatly, four whole brown eggs with clean shells arranged side by side, a small white bowl filled with caster sugar, a small white bowl holding plain flour, a small white bowl containing cocoa powder, a small pile of milk chocolate chips, a small pile of white chocolate chips, straight candy cane sticks with red and white stripes, a small white bowl filled with icing sugar, a small white bowl of vibrant green food colouring liquid, colorful round bauble sprinkles scattered loosely — placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create that perfect moist texture.
Dark chocolate: Melts smoothly into the batter, offering deep chocolate intensity.
Eggs: Key for structure and that lovely mousse-like batter when whisked well.
Caster sugar: Sweetens while helping with that light, airy mixture you get after whisking with eggs.
Plain flour: Gives the brownie its body without weighing it down.
Cocoa powder: Adds extra chocolate punch and a beautiful dark color.
Milk and white chocolate chips: Melty pockets of sweetness that break up the fudgy texture delightfully.
Candy canes: Perfect for the “tree trunk” and adding pepperminty crunch.
Icing sugar and unsalted butter (for buttercream): Together they make the silky frosting you’ll pipe to decorate.
Green food coloring: The secret ingredient that brings festive cheer to your buttercream icing.
Sprinkles and sweets: Fun decorations that bring each tree brownie to life.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

When it comes to decorating your Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe, I love to mix things up! Sometimes I swap out sprinkles for crushed peppermint or add a drizzle of salted caramel for extra indulgence. Find the way that excites you—it’s your holiday dessert, after all.

Variation—Nutty Twist: I once added chopped toasted pecans to the batter, and the texture contrast was incredible. Just be mindful of any allergies!
Dairy-Free Swap: Use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips, and you’ll still get that fudgy goodness without compromise.
Extra Festive: Try mixing a pinch of cinnamon or ginger into the batter for a subtle holiday spice.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe

Step 1: Melting and Mixing Chocolate with Butter

First, I melt the unsalted butter and dark chocolate together over a pan of simmering water. You can also do this carefully in the microwave—just be sure to stir every 30 seconds so it doesn’t burn. Leaving this to cool to room temperature is key; it prevents scrambling your eggs later on.

Step 2: Whisk Eggs and Sugar Until Mousse-Like

This is where the magic happens. Using an electric whisk, I beat the eggs with the caster sugar until the mixture nearly doubles in size and looks pale and mousse-like. When you lift the whisk, the mixture should trail for a couple of seconds before slowly disappearing — that’s how you know it’s airy enough.

Step 3: Combine Chocolate & Egg Mixtures Carefully

Next, gently fold the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg and sugar batter. This step requires patience — fold slowly to keep as much air as possible, which helps your brownies stay light yet fudgy.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients & Chocolate Chips

Once combined, sift in your cocoa powder and plain flour, folding again gently. Finally, mix through both milk and white chocolate chips, giving your brownies little melty surprises.

Step 5: Bake & Cool Completely

Pour the batter into your lined baking tray and bake at 180°C (160°C fan) for 25-30 minutes. You want them set but still soft in the center. Let them cool fully in the tin — rushing this step can cause crumbling when cutting your trees.

Step 6: Cut, Decorate, and Assemble

I cut the brownies by halving the tray, turning those halves into triangles to resemble Christmas trees. For extra fun, I insert candy cane sticks as “trunks,” then pipe on a green buttercream made from softly creamed butter and icing sugar with green food coloring. Finally, sprinkles, sweets, and a yellow “star” candy on top complete the look.

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few handy tips turning this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe from a simple bake to a festive favorite over the years—these tricks make all the difference:

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything mix smoothly and achieve that perfect texture without surprises.
Don’t Overmix After Adding Dry Ingredients: Folding gently preserves the airiness you created at the beginning, resulting in soft brownies.
Cool Completely Before Decorating: Warm brownies can melt your buttercream and make the decorations slip off – trust me, I learned this the hard way!
Snip Candy Canes Carefully: I find snapping off the curved tops and just using the straight parts works best as sturdy sticks without sharp edges.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe

Christmas Tree Brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I stick to cute bauble sprinkles and festive sweets like mini M&Ms or edible gold stars—it feels like turning your brownies into tiny celebrations on a plate. You can mix and match colors too, depending on your holiday décor.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a creamy hot chocolate or a mug of spiced mulled cider for the full festive vibe. If you want to add a fresh kick, a simple citrus salad is surprisingly refreshing against the richness of these brownies.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I arrange the Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe on a large platter with powdered sugar “snow” dusted around. Add some pine sprigs or ornaments for flair. Wrapping individual brownies in cellophane tied with a festive ribbon also makes adorable gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. The brownies maintain their moistness beautifully, and the buttercream frosting holds well if kept cool away from direct sunlight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these brownies before by wrapping them individually in cling film and placing them into a freezer-safe container. When you thaw them overnight in the fridge, they’re just as delightful—though I usually add fresh frosting after thawing if I have the time.

Reheating

Warm brownies slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if you like them gooey, but avoid reheating the frosting directly to prevent melting. Alternatively, serve them cold — either way, they’re irresistible.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the brownies a day or two in advance and decorate when you’re ready. Just make sure they are completely cool before piping on the frosting.

What if I don’t have candy canes for the tree trunk?

No worries! You can use pretzel sticks or thin chocolate-covered biscuit sticks instead for a sturdy and tasty trunk alternative.

Can I use a boxed brownie mix for this recipe?

While a boxed mix can speed things up, this recipe’s mousse-like egg and sugar whisking step is key for the texture and volume that makes the brownies special. I recommend making it from scratch for best results.

How do I ensure the brownies stay soft and fudgy?

The trick is not to overbake—start checking around 25 minutes. Also, folding gently to keep air in the batter helps create that tender crumb. Cooling fully in the pan before cutting also prevents crumbling.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe holds a special spot in my heart not just for its sweet taste, but for the joy it brings to holiday gatherings. Making these feels like starting a tradition — something simple yet extraordinary that fills your kitchen with warmth and smiles. I hope you try it out and create your own happy moments with this festive treat!