Themes⚙
Chocolate holiday Tree Brownies with Sprinkles
Bake festive Christmas tree brownies with sprinkles using fudgy chocolate batter, green frosting and candy cane stems for a simple holiday dessert.
Tree Brownies with Sprinkles are festive holiday confections that start with a classic, fudge-style brownie base made from cocoa or melted chocolate, butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. After baking, the slab is cut into triangular wedges to mimic miniature evergreen trees, then adorned with green-tinted frosting or melted candy coating. Colorful sprinkles, sugar pearls, and occasionally a small pretzel stick “trunk” complete the decorative effect. Typically prepared and served throughout December, these brownies are popular at cookie exchanges, school parties, and family gatherings, offering a playful, visually appealing alternative to traditional Christmas cookies and bars.
Chocolate holiday Tree Brownies with Sprinkles
Transforming one basic pan into a dozen edible evergreens is a quick win when holiday to-do lists are packed. With no specialty equipment required, it doubles as a low-stress decorating activity that kids and adults can finish in a single afternoon.
Prep Time
35 minutes
35 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
30 minutes
Total Time
65 minutes
65 minutes
Ingredients
All-purpose flour (1 cup)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (½ cup)
- Granulated sugar (1 cup)
- Packed light brown sugar (½ cup)
- Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (½ cup / 1 stick)
- Large eggs, room temperature (3)
- Pure vanilla extract (2 tsp)
- Fine sea salt (½ tsp)
- Baking powder (½ tsp)
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (½ cup) – optional for extra fudginess
- Powdered sugar, sifted (1½ cups) – for frosting
- Whole milk or heavy cream (2–3 tbsp) – adjust for desired frosting consistency
- Green gel food coloring (a few drops)
- Mini candy canes, broken into halves (10–12 pieces) – tree “trunks”
- Assorted holiday sprinkles or nonpareils (2–3 tbsp)
- Mini M&M’s or star-shaped candies (handful) – optional tree toppers
Method
Preheat the oven to 350 °F
- Grease a 9 × 13-inch baking pan
- Line the greased pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang
- Place butter and chopped chocolate in a small saucepan
- Heat the saucepan over low heat, stirring until the mixture is melted and smooth
- Transfer the melted mixture to a large mixing bowl
- Add granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the bowl
- Whisk the wet ingredients until the mixture looks glossy and thick
- Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt over the batter
- Fold the dry ingredients into the batter until no dry streaks remain
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan
- Smooth the top of the batter with an offset spatula
- Bake the brownies for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs
- Place the pan on a wire rack
- Cool the brownies completely in the pan
- Lift the cooled brownie slab from the pan using the parchment overhang
- Cut the slab into three long horizontal strips
- Cut each strip into alternating triangles to create tree shapes
- Tint vanilla frosting with green food coloring until a bright green shade is reached
- Spoon the green frosting into a piping bag fitted with a small star tip
- Pipe zigzag lines of green frosting over each brownie triangle
- Sprinkle assorted holiday sprinkles onto the wet frosting
- Break mini candy canes into short straight pieces
- Insert one candy cane piece into the base of each brownie triangle to form a tree trunk
Nutrition (whole recipe)
Calories
4700 kcal Protein
48 g Fat
159 g Carbs
770 g Fiber
23 g Sugar
644 g
4700 kcal Protein
48 g Fat
159 g Carbs
770 g Fiber
23 g Sugar
644 g
Notes
Chill the baked brownie slab for 20 minutes, then slice with a long knife wiped clean between cuts—cold brownies give razor-sharp “branches” that won’t crumble. If you’re short on piping bags, spoon tinted frosting into a zip-top bag and snip a tiny corner for effortless garlands. Press any trimmed scraps into balls, roll in cocoa, and you’ve got instant fudge bites instead of waste.
why this recipe
These Christmas tree brownies are more than a festive novelty; they marry rich, fudgy chocolate with the playful sparkle of colorful sprinkles, turning a beloved classic into an edible centerpiece that instantly elevates any holiday spread. The simple batter yields a decadent crumb that stays moist for days, while the clever triangular cut and quick swirl of green frosting transform each slice into a charming miniature tree—no specialty pans required. From the intoxicating scent that fills the kitchen to the joyful smiles they inspire, these treats deliver homemade warmth with bakery-level flair, making them a delightful, foolproof choice for bakers who want maximum impact with minimal fuss.
FAQs
FAQ acf
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I store the decorated Christmas Tree Brownies, and how long will they stay fresh?
Let the frosting set, then layer the brownies in an airtight container with parchment between layers and keep them at cool room temperature; they’ll stay moist and taste‐fresh for about 3–4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate the sealed container for up to one week (bring to room temp before serving) or freeze the brownies—well-wrapped individually— for up to a month without noticeable loss of quality.
Can I replace the scratch batter with a boxed brownie mix, and what adjustments would that require?
Yes—an 18- to 19-ounce “family-size” boxed brownie mix works fine. Prepare the batter exactly as the package directs for a 9 × 13-inch pan (stir in the optional ½ cup chocolate chips for extra richness), bake until a toothpick shows a few moist crumbs—usually 3–5 minutes less than scratch batter—then cool, cut, and decorate as outlined. All frosting, sprinkle, and candy-cane steps remain unchanged.
How can I make these Christmas Tree Brownies gluten-free?
Swap the 1 cup of regular flour for an equal amount of a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose baking blend; if the blend doesn’t already contain xanthan gum, whisk in ¼ teaspoon to mimic gluten’s structure. Keep all other measurements and steps the same, but double-check that your baking powder, candy canes, and sprinkles are certified gluten-free to avoid trace contamination.