Desserts

Christmas Tree Brownies

Fudgy brownies cut into little trees, frosted green and decked with sprinkles — the kid-friendly holiday bake with 15 million views.

November 4, 2026 By Chef Clara 4.94 (157 votes)
Christmas Tree Brownies
The Quick Takeaway

In a nutshell: This authentic american christmas tree brownies comes together in just 1 hr 30 mins using simple whole ingredients. The chef's secret: even 30 minutes in the fridge turns crumbly brownies into clean, sharp triangles. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
Cuisine American
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Christmas tree brownies: fudgy brownies cut into trees and frosted green. A kid-friendly holiday bake with 15 million views.

Key Equipment

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Chef's Pro-Tips

  • Chill the slab before cutting: even 30 minutes in the fridge turns crumbly brownies into clean, sharp triangles.
  • Use a hot, dry knife: wipe the blade between cuts so each tree edge stays crisp instead of dragging crumbs.
  • Pipe the frosting in a zigzag from the top down: it reads as branches instantly, with no piping skill required.

Ingredients
12 servings

  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder, unsweetened
  • 3 eggs, large
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ cup butter, softened, for frosting
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, for frosting
  • 2 tbsp milk, for frosting
  • 1 tsp green food colouring, gel, to shade
  • 12 candy canes, mini, or pretzel sticks, for trunks
  • ¼ cup sprinkles, assorted, for ornaments
  • 12 star sprinkles, or candy stars, for treetops
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Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Bake the Brownie Slab

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment. Whisk the melted butter, sugar and cocoa, then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Fold in the flour and salt just until combined. Bake 22-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.

2

Chill Before Cutting

Cool completely, then chill the slab for 30 minutes. Cold brownies cut cleanly; warm brownies crumble into trees with no points.

3

Cut the Trees

Lift out the slab and cut it into triangles — first into long strips, then diagonally across each strip. You should get about 12 trees, plus trimmings for snacking.

4

Frost and Decorate

Beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, milk and green food colouring into a smooth frosting. Pipe or spread it over each triangle in a zigzag, press a candy cane piece into the base as a trunk, and decorate with sprinkles and a star on top.

5

Set and Serve

Let the frosting set for 15 minutes, then stand the trees upright on a platter like a little forest.

Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks

Kitchen Essentials

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#2 in Baking Sheets

Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack

Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.

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500+ bought weekly

Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife

Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.

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Amazon's Choice

TILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc

Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.

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Amazon's Choice

Mercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"

Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.

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#4 in Baking Parchment

Amazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll

Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.

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#6 in Cooking Spoons

Woodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc

Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.

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Amazon's Choice

OXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"

Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.

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#3 in Cooling Racks

Ultra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2

Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.

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Amazon's Choice

Umite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc

Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.

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Best Seller in Hand Mixers

Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer

Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — a 9x13-inch mix works perfectly. Bake, chill, cut and decorate exactly the same way.

Bake the slab up to 2 days ahead and keep it wrapped. Cut and decorate the day you serve them for the freshest look.

Mini candy cane pieces, pretzel sticks or even a strip of wafer — anything sturdy enough to hold the triangle upright.

Freeze undecorated triangles for up to 1 month. Thaw, then frost and decorate fresh.

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