Gather the family for a festive evening of baking Chocolate Brownie Trees, featuring rich cocoa and topped with creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles. Kids will love cutting the brownies into tree shapes and decorating them with candy cane trunks. This recipe makes a charming holiday dessert, turning a simple treat into a memorable part of your seasonal celebrating.
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✨ A Truly Magical Holiday Treat
- Simple & Fun – This easy Chocolate Brownie Trees recipe invites everyone to join the decorating fun.
- Festive & Cheerful – These festive brownie trees become the centerpiece of any holiday dessert table.
- Deliciously Fudgy – Enjoy rich, baked fudgy chocolate tree desserts that satisfy every sweet tooth.
- Memory Maker – Creating these holiday chocolate trees with sprinkles is a tradition your family will cherish.
What You’ll Need for Your Chocolate Brownie Trees
For the Brownies
- All-Purpose Flour – The foundation of any good brownie recipe.
- Baking Powder – Just a pinch to give them a little lift.
- Salt – A must to balance the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter – Room temperature is key for easy mixing.
- Granulated Sugar – For that classic brownie sweetness.
- Eggs – Room temperature ensures they blend smoothly into the batter.
- Vanilla Extract – A little goes a long way for that warm, rich flavor.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – The star of the show for that deep chocolate taste.
- Whole Milk – Adds moisture and helps bring everything together.
For the Decorations
- Chocolate Chips – Melted for dipping; use your favorite kind!
- Green Candy Melts or Green Frosting – Perfect for piping those adorable tree branches.
- Assorted Sprinkles – Go wild with colors and shapes for a festive touch.
Let’s Talk Timing for Your Chocolate Brownie Trees
I love recipes that fit into the rhythm of a busy day, especially during the holidays. This one is a true gift. You’ll spend about 20 peaceful minutes getting everything ready—a quiet moment measuring and mixing while the oven warms.
Then, the brownies bake for 25 minutes, filling your home with the most wonderful aroma. In under 45 minutes total, you’ll have a pan of warm brownies ready to be transformed into a forest of festive cocoa treats with green icing. It’s the perfect pace for a cozy evening of family baking.
Chocolate Brownie Trees
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 8 tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips melted for dipping
- 1/2 cup green candy melts or green frosting
- Assorted sprinkles for decoration
Equipment
- hand mixer
- oven
- 8×8-inch baking pan
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan, then line it with parchment paper leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined; set this dry mixture aside.
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing just until the batter is smooth with no visible streaks of flour.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Let the brownies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then use the parchment paper to lift them out before cutting into triangle shapes to form trees.
- Decorate by dipping the base of each triangle in melted chocolate chips, then piping green candy melts or frosting in a zig-zag pattern for branches, and finishing with sprinkles.
Nutrition
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Adapting for a Sugar-Conscious Kitchen
In my kitchen, I believe everyone should have a seat at the table, which is why I love sharing simple swaps. For a more sugar-conscious version of these Chocolate Brownie Trees, you can easily use a natural sweetener like stevia designed for baking. Using a sugar alternative can help make these festive desserts more diabetic-friendly while keeping all the joy.
Another little win is to simply focus on portion size—a small tree is a perfectly satisfying treat. You could also explore using a sugar-free frosting for the decorations to make these easy baked brownie tree shapes even more glucose-friendly.
My Favorite Chocolate Brownie Trees Pro-Tips
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this process even smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what works best in my kitchen.
- For Richer Flavor: Use dark chocolate cocoa powder instead of unsweetened for an even deeper chocolate taste. If you adore that fudgy texture, you’ll love my tips in this fudgy brownies guide.
- For Dietary Needs: Gluten-free 1:1 flour works beautifully in this recipe for those avoiding gluten.
- For Perfect Texture: Let the brownies cool completely before cutting! This is the secret to getting clean triangle shapes without any crumbles.
- For Lasting Freshness: Store your decorated trees in a single layer in an airtight container to keep the frosting and sprinkles perfect. They also freeze wonderfully for up to a month.
A Look at Nutrition & Happy Baking
While these Chocolate Brownie Trees are certainly a festive treat, it’s wonderful to enjoy them as part of a balanced moment of joy. A typical brownie provides energy and a bit of comfort, which is its own kind of nourishment.
For more on building a balanced approach to desserts, you can explore this trusted classic brownie recipe resource. If you’re looking for a smaller portion to manage indulgence, my single-serve brownie is a lovely option. Remember, the best treats are those shared with loved ones.
Creating a Lighter Version
If you’re looking to lighten things up just a touch, I have a few gentle suggestions. You can replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce for a moist, lower-fat brownie base. For the decorations, a light dusting of powdered sugar instead of frosting is a beautifully simple finish.
Another idea is to incorporate some whole wheat pastry flour for added fiber. For more inspiration on delicious chocolate treats that feel a bit lighter, my chocolate banana bread and chocolate bark are family favorites.
How to Serve Your Chocolate Brownie Trees with Love
I love setting out a platter of these trees at our holiday gatherings. They bring such smiles! They pair beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa or a glass of cold milk for the little ones. For the adults, a nice cup of coffee or a peppermint tea makes a lovely companion.
For a truly spectacular dessert spread, place them alongside other festive favorites like chocolate crinkle cookies or chocolate pretzel clusters. It creates a whole scene of holiday chocolate trees with sprinkles that everyone adores.
Common Chocolate Brownie Trees Mistakes (So You Don’t Make Them)
We’ve all had baking moments that don’t go quite as planned, and that’s okay! Here’s how to avoid a few common stumbles and ensure your easy Chocolate Brownie Trees turn out perfectly.
- Cutting While Warm: I know it’s tempting, but cutting warm brownies leads to messy, crumbled edges. Patience is key—let them cool completely for those sharp tree shapes.
- Overmixing the Batter: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until the flour disappears. Overmixing makes the brownies tough instead of tender and fudgy.
- Overbaking: The toothpick test is your friend. You want a few moist crumbs clinging to it, not a completely clean pick. For more on perfect doneness, check out these decorating techniques.
Remember, even imperfect trees are delicious. My family once made lopsided trees we called “post-holiday pines,” and we laughed just as much!
Storing Your Sweet Forest for Later
I always make a double batch of these—some for now, some for freezing. It’s like hiding a little Christmas joy for a future self who needs a pick-me-up in January.
For short-term storage, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the undecorated brownie triangles on a parchment-lined sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Decorate with frosting and sprinkles after they thaw for the freshest look. For other make-ahead chocolate ideas, my Oreo brownie recipe and brownie refrigerator cake are wonderful options.
I Hope You Try Making Chocolate Brownie Trees
There’s something so special about recipes that are as fun to make as they are to eat. I hope this guide gives you the confidence to create these easy baked brownie tree shapes in your own kitchen, filling it with laughter and the smell of chocolate.
If you loved this, I think you’ll adore exploring my other chocolatey adventures like chocolate cake, chocolate cupcakes, or the wonderfully simple chocolate chip cookies. Happy baking, friends.
More Festive Dessert Ideas You’ll Adore
If you’re in the mood for more baking magic, here are a few of my go-to recipes for creating a truly special dessert table.
Espresso Brownie Cupcakes – Rich chocolate cupcakes with a coffee kick, perfect for adult gatherings.
Fudgy Raspberry Brownies – Swirls of tart raspberry make these brownies incredibly elegant.
Chocolate Chip Pancakes – Turn breakfast into a celebration with these fluffy, indulgent pancakes.
Your Chocolate Brownie Trees Questions Answered
Can I make Chocolate Brownie Trees ahead of time?
Absolutely, and it’s a great way to get ahead during the busy season. You can bake and cut the brownie triangles a day or two in advance, storing them in an airtight container. I recommend waiting to decorate with the frosting and sprinkles until just before serving so they look their freshest and brightest.
What is the best way to cut brownies into tree shapes?
The secret is a completely cooled brownie and a sharp knife. First, cut the baked and cooled brownie square into smaller squares. Then, cut each square diagonally from corner to corner to create two triangles. For perfectly clean cuts, you can lightly wipe the knife blade clean between cuts.
Can I use boxed brownie mix for this recipe?
You certainly can for a quicker version! Just prepare your favorite fudgy-style boxed mix according to the package directions, bake it in a square pan, and let it cool completely. The decorating process with the green frosting and sprinkles remains exactly the same, making it one of the easiest Christmas dessert ideas around.
How do I get the green frosting to stick to the brownies?
If you’re using a frosting or melted candy, it should stick easily to the cool brownie surface. If you find it’s not adhering well, you can create a simple “glue” by brushing the very lightest dab of corn syrup onto the brownie first. Then, immediately add your frosting and sprinkles for festive cocoa treats with green icing that stay put.
