Brownie Christmas Trees from Mix: Festive Dessert Recipe

These fudgy Easy Christmas Tree Brownies start with a boxed brownie mix and transform into festive, bite-sized treats. With just a few ingredients and a little time, you can bake a pan of brownies, cut them into triangle “trees,” and decorate them with homemade green buttercream and sprinkles for a merry holiday dessert.

Cookie season is here, but these Christmas tree brownies offer a fun twist on traditional holiday sweets. They’re fudgy, easy to transport to parties, and quick to prepare since they begin with a boxed mix. That means more time for the best part—decorating.

They’re perfect for parties where guests decorate their own treats, and children especially enjoy helping with the frosting and sprinkles.

Ingredients for Brownie Christmas Trees

• Boxed chocolate brownie mix and any ingredients called for on the box (water, oil, eggs)
• Butter — real butter yields the best flavor for the buttercream
• Powdered sugar — for a smooth, sweet frosting
• Milk — whole milk adds creaminess
• Vanilla extract — pure vanilla if possible
• Green gel food coloring — for the tree color
• Christmas sprinkles — to mimic tree lights and ornaments

How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies

Step 1: Prepare the boxed brownie mix according to package directions and preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray.

Step 2: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake as directed on the box. Once baked, set the pan on a wire rack and let the brownies cool completely. Cooling on a rack speeds the process by allowing air to circulate under the pan.

Step 3: While the brownies cool, make a simple buttercream: beat softened butter until creamy, then add powdered sugar gradually. Add vanilla and 1–2 tablespoons of milk, mixing until smooth. Add more milk or powdered sugar as needed to reach a spreadable consistency.

Step 4: Stir in green gel food coloring until the frosting is an even green. Adjust the shade to your preference; neon or deep forest green both work. If the frosting thins too much, add powdered sugar by the tablespoon to thicken.

Step 5: Use a sharp knife to cut the cooled brownies into triangles. A simple method is to cut the pan in half lengthwise, then cut each half into triangles. Trim and discard (or snack on) the rounded corners for neat tree shapes. Place the triangles on parchment paper for decorating. A nonstick or plastic knife can help achieve cleaner slices—spraying the blade lightly with cooking spray helps, too.

Step 6: Pipe or spread a squiggle of green buttercream on each triangle and finish with sprinkles. For variety, try crushed peppermint or mini candies as ornaments. Pretzel sticks or peppermint stick pieces make fun tree trunks.

Tips for Cutting and Decorating

Let brownies cool at least an hour for easier cutting. Clean and re-spray your knife between cuts for smooth edges. The triangle shapes don’t need to be perfect; a little rustic charm makes them look homemade. Let kids choose sprinkles and decorate—this is usually the most fun part.

Variations

• Stir chocolate chips into the batter for extra richness.
• Use store-bought frosting if you prefer convenience.
• Top trees with mini M&Ms, crushed candy canes, or any favorite candy.

Make-Ahead and Storage

You can prepare these brownies up to three days in advance. Store decorated brownies at room temperature in a sealed container for 1–2 days or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Recipe Summary