Brownie Christmas Trees
These Brownie Christmas Trees are such a fun holiday dessert. They’re rich, chewy, and full of chocolate and peppermint flavor, with the cutest tree shape that makes them look right at home on any Christmas table. They’re festive, easy to make, and guaranteed to stand out at parties, cookie swaps, or classroom celebrations.
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I love desserts that look impressive but don’t actually take all day to make, and these brownie trees are one of my go-tos for that reason. They’re fun to assemble, especially if you have kids who like to help decorate, and they always get a big reaction when you set them out. I make them every year because they feel so joyful and Christmas-y, but they’re simple enough for any festive get-together.
A Festive Favorite
Something about chocolate and peppermint just feels like the holidays. These brownies bake up fudgy and rich, and when you stack them with creamy icing and crushed candy canes, it’s pure holiday magic. They’re cute, sweet, and a little whimsical which is exactly the kind of treat that makes people smile before they even take a bite.
Ingredients
- Brownie mix – Use your favorite brand, or bake from scratch if you like. Either way, you want dense, fudgy brownies that hold their shape when stacked.
- Icing – Vanilla icing gives the best contrast, but peppermint or buttercream also work great.
- Candy canes – Crush them yourself by sealing in a plastic bag and gently hitting with a rolling pin.
- Star sprinkles – The finishing touch that makes these look extra festive!
How to Make Brownie Christmas Trees
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Start by lining a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper for easy brownie removal once they’re baked. Prepare and bake the brownies according to the box directions, then let them cool completely. The parchment makes it simple to lift the whole sheet out in one piece.
Once cooled, chill the brownies in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This quick chill firms them up so you can cut clean circles without crumbling.
Using round cookie biscuit cutter in three sizes, cut out sets of circles — one large, one medium, and one small for each tree.
Fit a large piping tip (like a 2D) into a piping bag and fill it with icing. The piping tip helps create those pretty, swirled “tree” layers.
Start with the largest brownie circle as your base and pipe a swirl of icing on top. Sprinkle crushed candy cane pieces over the icing, then add the next brownie layer. Repeat the icing and candy cane steps, then top with the smallest brownie circle. Finish with one more swirl of icing, a few peppermint sprinkles, and a shiny silver star on top.
Repeat until all the brownie trees are built. I like to chill them in the fridge for a little while before serving so the icing firms up and holds its shape beautifully.
Serving Suggestions
These brownie trees are a hit on any dessert table. Serve them on a white platter for a snowy look or wrap them individually in clear treat bags for a cute homemade gift. They pair perfectly with coffee, hot chocolate, or even a peppermint mocha if you want to go all in on the theme. Kids love decorating them with extra sprinkles or colored sugar; it’s such a fun, festive project.
I love serving these Peppermint Brownie Christmas Trees along with <holiday dessert 1, 2, & 3 mentioned here with links>.
Storage Tips
Store your Peppermint Brownie Christmas Trees in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also make the brownie circles ahead of time and freeze them for up to a month. When you’re ready to assemble, just thaw, decorate, and serve. If you’re preparing them for a party, chill the finished trees before serving to help the icing stay firm and pretty.
Brownie Christmas Trees
Ingredients
- 1 box brownie mix plus ingredients listed on package
- 1 tub white icing or your favorite icing recipe
- candy canes crushed
- silver star sprinkles
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Prepare and bake the brownie mix according to package directions. Let cool completely.
- Remove the brownies from the pan and chill in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Using cookie cutters, cut out circles in three sizes — one of each size for every tree.
- Fit a piping tip into a piping bag and fill it with icing.
- Start with the largest brownie circle. Pipe a layer of icing, sprinkle with crushed peppermint, and repeat with the next two layers.
- Top each tree with a swirl of icing, more crushed candy cane, and a silver star.
- Repeat for the remaining brownies. Chill the trees in the fridge until ready to serve.
