Brownie Christmas Trees

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Brownie Christmas Trees

Brownie Christmas Trees are the perfect festive treat that encapsulates the joy and warmth of the holiday season. These delightful confections not only capture the iconic shape of traditional Christmas trees but also boast a rich, fudgy flavor that makes every bite unforgettable. With their vibrant green frosting and colorful sprinkles, these brownies are both a visual feast and a comforting indulgence. This step-by-step recipe is easy to follow, making it a fantastic way to involve family and friends in the holiday baking spirit. Get ready to create these delicious and cheerful treats that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who takes a bite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Brownie Christmas Trees recipe is beloved for several reasons. First and foremost, it requires minimal ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The preparation is a breeze, making it ideal for both novice bakers and seasoned chefs alike. Plus, these festive brownies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any holiday gathering. They also serve as a fun and creative way to spend time with family and friends during the holiday season, enhancing the communal spirit of Christmas. With their eye-catching presentation and delectable flavor, these brownies bring a touch of magic to your festive celebrations.

Ingredients

Gathering the right ingredients is key to crafting these delightful Brownie Christmas Trees.

• 1 box of brownie mix: The basis of our treat, ensuring a rich and chewy base full of chocolaty goodness.
• 2 eggs: These will bind our ingredients together while adding moisture.
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil: This oil will make the brownies wonderfully soft and moist.
• 3 tablespoons water: Enhancing the consistency of the brownie mix for perfect baking.
• Green frosting: A creamy, festive swirl that adds a touch of holiday cheer.
• Holiday sprinkles: A delightful assortment that brings a pop of color and fun.
• Yellow star decorations: The finishing touch to transform your brownies into delightful Christmas trees.
• Disposable piping bag and Wilton star tip (1M): Essential tools to create beautiful frosting swirls.
• 3 round cookie/biscuit cutters in varying sizes: Used to shape our brownie trees.
• 2 cups powdered sugar: The core of our frosting, providing sweetness.
• 1/2 cup butter (softened): Creating a creamy texture for the frosting.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infusing our frosting with rich flavor.
• 2-3 tablespoons milk: Adjusting consistency for the perfect creamy spread.
• Green food coloring: To give your frosting a vibrant tree-like hue.

Each ingredient contributes to a wonderfully rich harmony of flavor and texture, making these brownies a must-try during the holiday season.

Step-by-Step Directions

Creating your Brownie Christmas Trees is straightforward and fun, especially with this detailed step-by-step guide.

1. Prepare the Brownie Base: In a mixing bowl, follow the instructions on the box mix to prepare your brownie batter. Typically, this involves combining the brownie mix with 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, and 3 tablespoons of water. Stir until smooth and well-combined. Pour the batter into a greased baking pan and bake as directed, usually around 20-25 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Allow the brownies to cool completely.

2. Make the Green Frosting: In another mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of powdered sugar with 1/2 cup of softened butter. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for flavor. Gradually stir in 2-3 tablespoons of milk until your frosting reaches a creamy, spreadable consistency. Then, add green food coloring until you achieve a vibrant green hue that resembles the color of fresh pine.

3. Prepare the Piping Bag: Place the Wilton star tip into your disposable piping bag. Fill the bag with the green frosting, ensuring there are no air pockets, and twist the top to secure.

4. Cut the Brownies: Using your three round cookie cutters, carefully cut out circles of varying sizes from the cooled brownies. Aim for a larger circle for the base and smaller circles for the upper layers of the tree.

5. Layer the Brownies: Begin with the largest brownie circle as the base. Pipe a layer of green frosting onto the top of this layer, then place the next size down on top. Repeat this process until all the circles are stacked, finishing with the smallest at the top.

6. Create the Tree’s Peak: Add a final swirl of green frosting at the peak of your stacked rounds for added height and decoration.

7. Decorate: Top off your Brownie Christmas Trees by placing a yellow star decoration at the peak. Surround the trees with holiday sprinkles for extra cheer.

8. Repeat: Continue this process for the remainder of your brownie circles, creating a delightful collection of Brownie Christmas Trees.

Tips & Tricks

• Baking Time: To ensure perfect brownies, keep an eye on the baking time. Overbaking can lead to dry brownies, so it’s often better to slightly underbake for a fudgier texture.
• Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too thick after adding the green food coloring, slowly add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency.
• Decorate Creatively: Get creative with your decoration! Use different colored sprinkles or themed edible decorations to personalize your brownies.
• Frosting Technique: When piping the frosting, practice a few swirls on parchment paper to get the hang of using the star tip before applying it to your brownies.
• Storing Frosting: If you have leftover frosting, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

These Brownie Christmas Trees are perfect for holiday festivities, family gatherings, or as a sweet treat for neighbors and friends. They pair wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or warm milk. For an extra special touch, try serving them next to gingerbread cookies or a festive charcuterie board. Their vibrant colors and charming shape make them stand out on any dessert table, guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone.

Nutritional Information

While these Brownie Christmas Trees are a delicious indulgence, they are best enjoyed in moderation. Each tree typically contains approximately 250 calories, with a healthy dose of sugars and fats due to the frosting and brownies. This treat can fit into a balanced diet if paired with wholesome foods throughout the day, ensuring you can savor these sweet delights guilt-free during your holiday celebrations.

Storing Tips & Variations

• Storage: Leftover brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week.
• Freezing: You can also freeze the brownie trees. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer. To enjoy, simply let them thaw at room temperature.
• Variations: Feel free to change the flavor of the brownies by incorporating different extracts like peppermint or almond, or add chocolate chips to the brownie mix for an extra chocolatey treat. You could also use different colors of frosting to match your holiday decor!

Conclusion

Now that you have the recipe for Brownie Christmas Trees, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get baking! This festive treat is easy to make, delicious, and perfect for creating holiday memories with loved ones. Whether you’re perfecting your piping skills or enjoying the final touches of decoration, these brownies are bound to be a hit. Share your experiences and celebrate the spirit of Christmas with these delightful Brownie Christmas Trees!

FAQs

1. Can I use homemade brownies instead of a box mix?

   • Absolutely! You can prepare your favorite homemade brownie recipe as the base for these trees. Just ensure they’re thick and sturdy enough for layering.

2. What types of food coloring should I use?

   • Gel food coloring is recommended for a vibrant hue, but liquid food coloring will work as well; just adjust the quantity accordingly.

3. Can I make these brownies gluten-free?

   • Yes! Simply use a gluten-free brownie mix and follow the package instructions. The other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

4. What can I substitute for the vegetable oil in the brownie mix?

   • You can use melted coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce as healthier alternatives to vegetable oil in your brownie mix.

5. How can I make these brownies dairy-free?

   • Look for a dairy-free brownie mix and substitute the butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. Ensure your powdered sugar is also dairy-free.

Brownie Christmas Trees

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Delightful festive brownies shaped like Christmas trees, adorned with green frosting and colorful sprinkles.

• Author: catherine
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box of brownie mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons water
• Green frosting
• Holiday sprinkles
• Yellow star decorations
• Disposable piping bag and Wilton star tip (1M)
• 3 round cookie/biscuit cutters in varying sizes
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• Green food coloring

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Brownie Base: In a mixing bowl, combine the brownie mix, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, and 3 tablespoons of water. Stir until smooth. Pour into a greased baking pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
2. Make the Green Frosting: Combine 2 cups of powdered sugar with 1/2 cup of softened butter. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and gradually stir in 2-3 tablespoons of milk until creamy. Add green food coloring until desired hue is achieved.
3. Prepare the Piping Bag: Place the Wilton star tip into your piping bag, fill with green frosting, and twist to secure.
4. Cut the Brownies: Cut your cooled brownies into circles of varying sizes using the cookie cutters.
5. Layer the Brownies: Start with the largest circle, pipe a layer of green frosting, and stack the next smaller circle. Repeat until all circles are stacked.
6. Create the Tree’s Peak: Add a swirl of green frosting on top.
7. Decorate: Place a yellow star decoration on top and add holiday sprinkles around.

Notes

Ensure brownies are not overbaked for a fudgier texture. Customize decorations with different colored sprinkles.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 brownie tree
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 25mg

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