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 (such as M&M for star)

There’s something magical about the holiday season that calls for festive treats, and this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe absolutely fits the bill. Picture fudgy, chocolatey brownies shaped like Christmas trees, decorated with green buttercream and colorful sprinkles—it's a celebration on your plate that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!

The image shows several triangular chocolate brownies arranged on a white marbled surface. Each brownie has one layer of dark brown cake topped with a thick layer of bright green frosting shaped like a zigzag Christmas tree. The frosting is decorated with small, round, colorful candy balls in shades of pink, purple, blue, red, yellow, green, and orange. Sticking out from the base of each brownie is a small candy cane with white, pink, and green stripes, acting as the tree trunk. Additional colorful candy balls are scattered around the brownies on the white marbled surface. 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

This Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe quickly became one of my holiday favorites because it combines classic brownie goodness with a playful, festive twist. It’s a treat to make with kids or friends—and those little touches of decoration make it so special at any party or family gathering.

Deliciously fudgy: The rich chocolate base is soft and just the right amount of gooey, making each bite utterly satisfying.
Festive and fun: Shaping the brownies like Christmas trees and decorating them brings out your creative side and joy in the kitchen.
Perfect for gifting: These brownies pack beautifully in a box and make thoughtful homemade presents.
Easy to customize: You can personalize toppings and decorations to suit any palette or dietary preference.

A woman's hand is holding a triangular brownie piece shaped like a Christmas tree, with a pink and white striped candy stick at the bottom as the trunk. The brownie has two layers: the dark brown, textured base and a thick swirl of smooth, bright green frosting on top, decorated with small, shiny, round candy balls in colors like pink, orange, purple, blue, and yellow. In the background, more brownies with the same decoration are placed on a white marbled surface, along with blurred gingerbread men and soft warm lights in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe plays a crucial role in achieving that ideal chocolate-butter harmony. From the butter that lends richness to the eggs whisked until airy, each step is designed to deliver fluffy yet dense brownies that hold their shape perfectly when cut into tree forms.

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter, a roughly chopped dark chocolate bar, four whole medium eggs with clean shells, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with caster sugar, a small white bowl holding plain flour, a small white bowl with cocoa powder, a small white bowl overflowing with milk chocolate chips, a small white bowl with white chocolate chips, several straight candy cane sticks with their curved tops snapped off, a small white bowl filled with unsalted butter for buttercream, a small white bowl containing icing sugar, a small white bowl with vibrant green food colouring liquid, assorted colorful sprinkles scattered neatly, assorted small sweets arranged artfully, all ingredients carefully arranged with perfect symmetry, 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: Key for controlling saltiness and giving the brownies a moist, tender crumb.
Dark chocolate: Adds depth and intense cocoa flavor, balancing the sweetness perfectly.
Eggs: Whisking these with sugar aerates the batter, making the brownies fluffy rather than dense.
Caster sugar: Dissolves well and helps create that light, mousse-like texture in the batter.
Plain flour: Provides structure without weighing down the brownies.
Cocoa powder: Boosts the chocolate flavor and adds richness without extra fat.
Milk and white chocolate chips: These get melty in the oven for pockets of sweetness and texture contrast.
Candy canes: Used as festive “tree trunks” and add a peppermint touch if you keep the bits as well.
Butter & icing sugar (for buttercream): Cream these together for a smooth, spreadable topping that’s perfect for piping and decorating.
Green food colouring: Brings that iconic Christmas tree hue to your frosting, making it instantly festive.
Sprinkles and sweets: Personalize your tree decorations—colorful baubles that make these brownies pop with holiday cheer.

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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

I love tweaking this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe depending on the occasion or who I’m serving. Sometimes I swap out classic chocolate chips for white or even caramel pieces. You can make it nut-free or dairy-free easily, so everyone gets to enjoy.

Variation: Once, I added a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking—it created a fantastic balance between sweet and salty that I highly recommend trying!
Dietary swaps: Use coconut oil or plant-based butter for dairy-free brownies, and flax eggs for egg-free versions.
Decoration twists: Try different piping tips or use melted white chocolate to pipe intricate designs instead of buttercream.

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

Step 1: Melt and Mix Chocolate and Butter

I start by melting the unsalted butter with dark chocolate gently over a bain-marie (or in short bursts in the microwave). It's important to let this mixture cool to room temperature before adding it to the eggs because if it's too warm, you risk cooking your eggs and losing that fluffy texture we want.

Step 2: Whisk Eggs and Sugar Until Pale and Mousse-Like

This part takes a few minutes, but it’s key! Whisk the eggs with caster sugar until the mixture looks pale and moussey—when you lift the whisk out, the trail left behind should slowly disappear. This process traps air which helps your brownies rise lightly yet stay dense and fudgy.

Step 3: Fold in Chocolate Mixture Carefully

Slowly fold the cooled chocolate and butter mixture into your egg and sugar base. Take your time here—gently folding preserves all that lovely air you created and keeps the batter nice and light.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chips

Sift your cocoa powder and plain flour over the mix and fold again carefully until everything is just combined. Then stir in both milk and white chocolate chips for little pockets of melty goodness.

Step 5: Bake and Cool Completely

Pour the batter into your prepared 9-inch square tin and pop it in the oven at 180°C (160°C fan) for about 25-30 minutes. It’s done when the edges are set but the center still looks slightly gooey. Let the brownies cool fully in the tin before moving on—it helps them firm up for shaping.

Step 6: Cut, Decorate, and Enjoy

Once cooled, slice your brownies into tree shapes—start by cutting the tray in half, then cut triangles from each half. This leaves plenty of delicious offcuts you’ll want to snack on! Next, fudge together some buttercream colored green for frosting, pipe onto your brownie trees, and decorate with sprinkles and other sweets. Don’t forget to insert a candy cane as the “trunk” to complete the look!

Top Tip

From all my cozy kitchen experiments with this Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe, I’ve rounded up my best tips to make sure your brownies turn out perfectly every time without any stress.

Whisk eggs thoroughly: This really makes the difference between heavy brownies and those that are fudgy with a light, fluffy crumb.
Cool chocolate mixture: Don’t rush this—adding warm chocolate to eggs causes curdling and affects texture.
Gentle folding: Fold instead of stirring aggressively to keep air in the batter.
Check doneness early: Ovens vary; start checking at 25 minutes to avoid over-baking, keeping brownies moist inside.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe

Christmas Tree Brownies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick to colorful sprinkles and small candies for decorating, because they’re easy and bring a nostalgic holiday vibe. For a little extra sparkle, try edible glitter or silver dragees—they instantly make these brownies party-ready.

Side Dishes

Pair your Christmas Tree Brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some fresh raspberries to balance the richness. A warm cup of peppermint tea or hot chocolate makes the ultimate cozy combo.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve had fun arranging these brownies on a platter as a mini forest, mixing sizes and decorations. Wrapping each brownie in festive cellophane with a colorful ribbon also makes them perfect little gifts. If you’re hosting a party, setting them on tiered cake stands really gives a wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Christmas Tree Brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay moist and delicious for up to one week—a nice extended window if you’re thinking about prepping ahead or sharing over several days.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these brownies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and they thaw beautifully. Just let them come to room temperature before decorating or slicing for best results.

Reheating

If you want to warm a brownie slice, I recommend a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave to bring out that melt-in-your-mouth softness without drying it out. Just be careful not to overdo it!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different chocolate instead of dark chocolate?

Absolutely! While dark chocolate contributes a rich, deep flavor, you can substitute with milk chocolate for a sweeter taste or a mix of chocolates for variety. Just make sure it’s good quality for the best results.

How do I prevent my brownies from drying out?

The key is not to overbake. Check your brownies starting at 25 minutes and pull them out as soon as the edges are set but the center is still slightly fudgy. Storing them in an airtight container helps keep moisture in as well.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Definitely! You can bake the brownies a day or two in advance, let them cool, then store them at room temperature. Decorate on the day you plan to serve for the freshest look, or pipe the buttercream ahead and store in the fridge until ready.

What’s the best way to cut the brownies into tree shapes?

I like to cut the tray in half, then slice each half into triangles to mimic tree shapes. The leftover pieces are perfect for snacking so nothing goes to waste! Using a sharp knife and cooled brownies makes cutting easier and cleaner.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe is one of those festive treats that truly lights up the kitchen and your holiday table. It’s approachable, customizable, and always gets compliments (and requests for seconds). I hope giving this a try brings a little extra joy and sweetness to your celebrations—after all, what’s Christmas without a bit of chocolate and creativity?