The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the joy of baking and sharing delicious treats with loved ones. One of the most iconic and beloved holiday desserts is the Christmas tree brownie. These festive treats are not only delicious, but they're also visually stunning, making them perfect for holiday parties and gatherings.
In this article, we'll explore five different ways to make holiday Christmas tree brownies. From classic recipes to creative twists, we'll cover it all. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner, you'll find inspiration and guidance to create your own magical Christmas tree brownies.
The Classic Christmas Tree Brownie Recipe
To start, let's begin with a classic recipe for Christmas tree brownies. This recipe uses a simple brownie mix and some creative decorating to create a stunning holiday dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of brownie mix
- 1 cup of melted butter
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup of green frosting (for the tree)
- 1/4 cup of red frosting (for the garland)
- 1/4 cup of white frosting (for the snow)
- 1 cup of sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brownie mix, melted butter, and eggs. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan.
- Once the brownies are cool, use a cookie cutter or a knife to cut out Christmas tree shapes. You can also use a rectangular pan and cut the brownies into strips to create a tree shape.
- To decorate, use the green frosting to create a tree shape on top of the brownie. Add some red garland using the red frosting and white snow using the white frosting. Sprinkle with sprinkles for extra decoration.
Tips and Variations
- Use a different shape cookie cutter to create different shapes, such as stars or snowflakes.
- Add some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the brownie batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Use a different flavor of frosting, such as peppermint or orange, to create a unique taste.
Christmas Tree Brownies with a Cheesecake Twist
Who says you can't have your cake and eat your brownies too? This recipe combines the richness of cheesecake with the decadence of brownies to create a truly show-stopping dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of brownie mix
- 1 cup of melted butter
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of cream cheese
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup of green frosting (for the tree)
- 1/4 cup of red frosting (for the garland)
- 1/4 cup of white frosting (for the snow)
- 1 cup of sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brownie mix, melted butter, and eggs. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan.
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, and mix until combined.
- Spread the cheesecake mixture over the cooled brownies.
- Use the green frosting to create a tree shape on top of the cheesecake. Add some red garland using the red frosting and white snow using the white frosting. Sprinkle with sprinkles for extra decoration.
Tips and Variations
- Use a different flavor of extract, such as peppermint or orange, to create a unique taste.
- Add some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the cheesecake batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Use a different shape cookie cutter to create different shapes, such as stars or snowflakes.
Salted Caramel Christmas Tree Brownies
For a more sophisticated twist on the classic Christmas tree brownie, try adding some salted caramel to the mix. This recipe combines the richness of caramel with the decadence of brownies to create a truly indulgent dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of brownie mix
- 1 cup of melted butter
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of salted caramel sauce
- 1/4 cup of flaky sea salt
- 1/4 cup of green frosting (for the tree)
- 1/4 cup of red frosting (for the garland)
- 1/4 cup of white frosting (for the snow)
- 1 cup of sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brownie mix, melted butter, and eggs. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan.
- Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the cooled brownies.
- Sprinkle the flaky sea salt over the caramel sauce.
- Use the green frosting to create a tree shape on top of the brownie. Add some red garland using the red frosting and white snow using the white frosting. Sprinkle with sprinkles for extra decoration.
Tips and Variations
- Use a different flavor of extract, such as peppermint or orange, to create a unique taste.
- Add some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the brownie batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Use a different shape cookie cutter to create different shapes, such as stars or snowflakes.
Christmas Tree Brownies with Candy Canes
For a fun and festive twist on the classic Christmas tree brownie, try adding some crushed candy canes to the mix. This recipe combines the sweetness of brownies with the peppermint flavor of candy canes to create a truly magical dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of brownie mix
- 1 cup of melted butter
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of crushed candy canes
- 1/4 cup of green frosting (for the tree)
- 1/4 cup of red frosting (for the garland)
- 1/4 cup of white frosting (for the snow)
- 1 cup of sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brownie mix, melted butter, and eggs. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the cooled brownies.
- Use the green frosting to create a tree shape on top of the brownie. Add some red garland using the red frosting and white snow using the white frosting. Sprinkle with sprinkles for extra decoration.
Tips and Variations
- Use a different flavor of extract, such as peppermint or orange, to create a unique taste.
- Add some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the brownie batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Use a different shape cookie cutter to create different shapes, such as stars or snowflakes.
Chocolate Dipped Christmas Tree Brownies
For a truly decadent and indulgent dessert, try dipping your Christmas tree brownies in chocolate. This recipe combines the richness of chocolate with the decadence of brownies to create a truly show-stopping dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of brownie mix
- 1 cup of melted butter
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of melted chocolate
- 1/4 cup of green frosting (for the tree)
- 1/4 cup of red frosting (for the garland)
- 1/4 cup of white frosting (for the snow)
- 1 cup of sprinkles (for decoration)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brownie mix, melted butter, and eggs. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval until smooth.
- Dip the cooled brownies in the melted chocolate, using a fork to fully coat.
- Use the green frosting to create a tree shape on top of the brownie. Add some red garland using the red frosting and white snow using the white frosting. Sprinkle with sprinkles for extra decoration.
Tips and Variations
- Use a different flavor of extract, such as peppermint or orange, to create a unique taste.
- Add some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the brownie batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Use a different shape cookie cutter to create different shapes, such as stars or snowflakes.
Gallery of Christmas Tree Brownies
We hope this article has inspired you to create your own magical Christmas tree brownies. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner, these recipes are sure to bring joy and delight to your holiday celebrations.
What's your favorite Christmas dessert? Let us know in the comments below!
What is the best way to store Christmas tree brownies?
+Christmas tree brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months.
Can I use different flavors of extract in my Christmas tree brownies?
+Yes, you can use different flavors of extract in your Christmas tree brownies. Some popular flavors include peppermint, orange, and vanilla.
Can I make Christmas tree brownies ahead of time?
+Yes, you can make Christmas tree brownies ahead of time. Simply bake and cool the brownies, then decorate and store them in an airtight container until you're ready to serve.