Christmas Brownie Tree Confections Recipe
Celebrate the holidays with these festive Christmas Brownies made from a classic brownie mix and decorated with green buttercream frosting and candy accents. This recipe transforms simple brownies into delightful Christmas tree shapes, perfect for holiday parties and seasonal treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 brownies (triangular tree shapes) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Brownies
- 18.3 ounces brownie mix (prepared according to box directions)
- 18 mini candy canes (hook removed) or 9 regular-size candy canes (hook removed and broken in half)
Buttercream Frosting
- ¼ cup salted sweet cream butter (softened)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
- ½ teaspoon clear vanilla flavoring
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 4 to 6 drops forest green food color (depending on desired shade)
Decorations (Optional)
- 12 candy star decorations
- Multi-colored candy confetti
- Nonpareils
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with a parchment paper sling and spray it lightly with baker’s spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Make and bake brownies: Prepare the brownie batter according to the package directions. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow brownies to cool completely in the pan.
- Cut brownies into tree shapes: Once cooled, lift the brownies out of the pan using the parchment sling. Slice diagonally into three rows, then make alternating diagonal cuts to form triangles that will serve as Christmas tree shapes. Insert the broken candy cane pieces into the bottom of each triangle to act as the tree trunks.
- Prepare buttercream frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened butter and vegetable shortening with a handheld mixer on medium-high for 1 minute until creamy. Add the clear vanilla and almond extracts and blend until incorporated. Lower speed and gradually add powdered sugar in ½ cup increments, alternating with heavy cream. After all ingredients are added, increase mixer speed to high and beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Add color and prepare to decorate: Mix in forest green food coloring until the frosting is evenly colored with no streaks remaining. Transfer the frosting into a decorator’s bag fitted with a star tip or a Ziploc bag with a small corner snipped off.
- Decorate the brownie trees: Starting at the top tip of each triangle, hold the piping bag about ¼ inch above the surface and pipe a zigzag pattern down to the base to resemble tree branches. Place a candy star at the top of each tree and decorate with candy confetti or nonpareils as desired for a festive look.
Notes
- Use parchment paper to easily lift brownies from the pan without breaking.
- Adjust the amount of green food coloring to achieve your preferred shade of frosting.
- Optional decorations add a festive, colorful finish—feel free to customize with your favorite edible decorations.
- Allow frosted brownies to set slightly before serving to avoid smudging the design.
Keywords: Christmas brownies, holiday treats, festive desserts, brownie recipe, buttercream frosting, candy cane decorations
