There's something magical about turning simple brownies into festive delights that light up the holiday table. This Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe combines a rich, fudgy base with whimsical green frosting and sparkly sprinkles that instantly bring out the kid in all of us. It's not just a dessert; it’s a mini celebration you can make and share with joy.

Three small, stacked chocolate cake towers each have three layers. Between and on top of the layers is smooth, bright green frosting shaped like Christmas tree branches. The frosting has red, white, and green round sprinkles, and a small yellow star sits on the very top of each tower. The cakes sit on a white napkin decorated with colored Christmas lights, all placed on a white marbled surface. Some small yellow star decorations are scattered around. In the background, there is green pine tree foliage. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember making these Brownie Christmas Trees with my niece years ago, and her eyes widened with delight as each “tree” took shape. It's such a fun project that tastes as good as it looks, perfect for holiday parties or a cozy afternoon baking session.

Festive presentation: The stacked brownie "trees" are eye-catching and bring instant holiday charm to your dessert table.
Quick and simple: Using boxed brownies keeps things easy without sacrificing that rich chocolatey flavor.
Customizable frosting: You get full control over the frosting’s flavor and texture — plus the fun of decorating with sprinkles and stars.
Kid-friendly project: The frosting piping and decorating part is a hit with kids and adults alike, turning baking into quality family time.

The image shows three Christmas tree-shaped cupcakes placed on a white marbled surface with a colorful string light pattern underneath. Each cupcake has three layers of dark brown cake, stacked from largest to smallest from bottom to top. Between each cake layer is a thick swirl of bright green frosting that looks smooth and creamy. The top layer is decorated with the same green frosting shaped like a pointed tree top, sprinkled with small red, white, and green round sprinkles, and finished with a yellow star candy on the very top. Around the cupcakes, there are green pine branches adding a festive feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe shines because it balances convenience and homemade charm. The brownie base is super fudgy thanks to the oil and eggs, while the homemade frosting gives you that soft, creamy texture perfect for piping. Plus, those bright green colors and sprinkles bring it all to life!

Flat lay of a block of baked and cooled brownie with a rich chocolate texture, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of golden vegetable oil, a small white bowl of clear water, a small white bowl filled with powdered white sugar, a stick of pale yellow softened butter, a small white bowl of creamy milk, a small white bowl of green frosting vividly colored, a small white bowl containing tiny colorful holiday sprinkles, and a small yellow star-shaped sugar decoration, all arranged in perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic dishes, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brownie Mix: Using a quality boxed mix saves time but baking it properly ensures it stays dense and moist — the perfect foundation for stacking.
Eggs: They bind the ingredients and add richness — essential for that classic brownie chewiness.
Vegetable Oil: Makes the brownies moist and tender; don’t swap this for butter unless you're using a recipe designed for it.
Water: Keeps the batter moist and helps with the right brownie consistency.
Powdered Sugar: Gives the frosting a smooth, sweet base that pipes beautifully.
Butter (softened): This adds the creamy texture needed for a stable frosting that won’t melt away.
Vanilla Extract: Just a touch enhances flavors and cuts through the sweetness.
Milk: Added sparingly to adjust frosting consistency — too much makes it runny, so go slow!
Green Food Coloring: The star of the show for that vibrant tree color — add a few drops at a time to get your perfect hue.
Holiday Sprinkles & Yellow Stars: Tiny details that make these brownies festive and fun to decorate.
Disposable Piping Bag with Wilton Star Tip 1m: Creates those pretty piped “branches” on the trees, but you can also improvise with a zip-top bag snipped at the corner.
3 Round Cookie/Biscuit Cutters: These sizes let you stack the brownies artfully — I find sets from your local kitchen store or even thrift shops work well.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts of this Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe is how easily you can add your spin. Whether you tweak the frosting flavor or go wild with decorations, it’s a really flexible recipe that invites creativity.

Variation: One year, I swapped the green frosting for a peppermint buttercream — it was a huge hit and gave the brownies a lovely minty kick that screams holiday!
Dietary modification: I’ve also experimented with gluten-free brownie mixes to accommodate friends — just make sure your mix bakes dense enough for stacking.
Seasonal twist: If you’re making beyond Christmas, switch sprinkles to hearts for Valentine’s Day or pastel colors for Easter trees.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe

Step 1: Bake the Brownies and Let Them Cool Completely

Start by preparing the brownie mix according to the box instructions — I usually add the eggs, oil, and water right into the bowl with the mix and stir until smooth. Bake in a square pan for even layers. Let the brownies cool fully before cutting; this keeps them from crumbling and helps the layers stack neatly later.

Step 2: Whip Up the Green Frosting

Blend powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract until silky. Then add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is soft enough to pipe — think thick but smooth. Don’t rush the coloring; add green food coloring a drop at a time and mix well. When it’s just right, fill your piping bag fitted with the star tip.

Step 3: Cut Out Brownie Circles

Use the 3 cookie cutters in different sizes to gently press circles from the brownie slab. Don’t press too hard or the brownies might crack. These circles will stack into tree shapes, so pick cutters that nest well (I use sizes that are just a bit smaller than the last).

Step 4: Pipe, Stack, and Decorate the Trees

Start with the largest brownie circle; pipe a ring of frosting on top just large enough to support the next size. Stack the medium circle, pipe again, then top with the smallest circle. Finish with a generous swirl to look like tree branches. Add a tiny yellow star on the peak and sprinkle festive holiday confetti for that extra sparkle.

Top Tip

I've made these Brownie Christmas Trees dozens of times and here are my best hacks so your trees look flawless and your frosting sets perfectly.

Cool completely before cutting: Warm brownies tend to crumble; patience really pays off for neat circles.
Frosting consistency matters: Too thick makes piping tough, too runny and the layers slip — aim for soft peaks in the frosting.
Use gentle pressure with cutters: A slow, rocking motion helps cut clean circles without fracturing your brownies.
Decorate right after piping: The frosting starts to set quickly, so add stars and sprinkles soon after for best stickiness.

How to Serve Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe

Brownie Christmas Trees - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love using classic red and white holiday sprinkles combined with tiny silver dragees for shimmer. The yellow star candies on top give it that festive finishing touch, making each brownie tree look like it belongs under your Christmas lights.

Side Dishes

These brownies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a mug of hot cocoa to keep that cozy holiday vibe going. For parties, I also recommend sharp cheddar cheese cubes and cranberry bites to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I laid out a whole "forest" on a platter dusted with powdered sugar snow, interspersed with small pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks. It was like edible holiday decor — guests loved it! You can even place each brownie tree on mini cupcake liners or tiny wooden rounds for an elegant touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Brownie Christmas Trees in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They tend to stay moist and the frosting holds up well short-term. Just be gentle when stacking or moving them — those delicate frosting branches can be a bit fragile.

Freezing

Freezing works if you want to prepare ahead—wrap each tree individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe box. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving to maintain texture. I found that some of the creaminess in the frosting softens after freezing but still tastes amazing!

Reheating

I usually recommend skipping reheating to preserve the frosting’s look and texture. If you want warm brownies, remove frosting first or gently heat briefly in the microwave (10 seconds at a time) — just enough to warm the base without melting the decorations.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade brownies instead of boxed ones?

Absolutely! Homemade brownies add a special touch, just make sure they are dense and fully cooled before cutting so your trees stack nicely.

How do I prevent the frosting from melting?

Keep the brownies and frosting cool, especially during decorating and serving. If it’s warm, refrigerate the brownies to let the frosting set better before serving.

What tips do you have for decorating kids-friendly?

Let kids pipe with a zip-top bag snipped at the corner if you don’t have a piping bag. Use sprinkles and candies that are easy to grab. Most importantly, keep it fun — imperfections add to the charm!

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Choose a gluten-free brownie mix and ensure all your decorations and sprinkles are gluten-free. The frosting recipe stays the same, so no need to adjust that part.

Final Thoughts

This Brownie Christmas Trees Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it turns baking into a shared moment — the kind where you laugh, make a mess, and create something delightful together. Give it a try this year; you’ll enjoy both the process and the smiles it brings!