There’s something magical about turning a classic sweet treat into a festive centerpiece, and this Brownie Christmas Tree Recipe does just that. The rich, fudgy brownies layered and frosted to look like a sparkling green tree sprinkle your holidays with joy and mouthwatering chocolate goodness.

Three small Christmas tree-shaped desserts are shown on a white marbled table. Each dessert has three layers of round, dark brown cake stacked on top of each other. Between and on top of each cake layer, there is bright green frosting that looks like swirled Christmas tree branches. The frosting is decorated with tiny red, white, and green round sprinkles, and a small yellow star sits on the very top of each tree. Behind the desserts, there is some green pine tree branches. The desserts rest on a piece of paper decorated with colorful Christmas light drawings. 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 Tree Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Brownie Christmas Tree Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Brownie Christmas Tree Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made this Brownie Christmas Tree Recipe for a holiday party — it was a total hit! What’s awesome is that it’s a fun, hands-on way to transform simple brownies into something uniquely festive, and honestly, it tastes just as wonderful as it looks.

Fun to assemble: Stacking brownies with green frosting and sprinkles turns dessert time into a crafty holiday activity.
Simple ingredients: You’re probably already stocked up for the holidays, making this an easy last-minute treat.
Customizable decorations: Use your favorite sprinkles or edible stars to make each tree your own.
Perfect for gatherings: These mini brownie trees impress guests and are easy to serve and share.

Three small Christmas tree shaped cakes made of three brown cake layers stacked on top of each other with bright green icing swirled between and on top. Each tree is decorated with small red, white, and green round sprinkles and topped with a small yellow star. The cakes sit on a rectangular board with a pattern of colorful Christmas lights on white marbled texture, with some pine leaves visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Brownie Christmas Tree Recipe calls for classic ingredients that bring out the rich chocolate flavor and a smooth frosting that’s sturdy enough for stacking but still creamy and sweet. Using a boxed brownie mix keeps things convenient, while the green frosting makes everything look festive and bright.

Flat lay of whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of clear water, a small white ceramic bowl of golden vegetable oil, three round brownies stacked in decreasing size (plain, no frosting), a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth green frosting, a small white ceramic bowl of white powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of soft pale butter, a small white ceramic bowl of milk, a few bright yellow star-shaped sprinkles, assorted colorful holiday sprinkles scattered artfully, all elements arranged symmetrically 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

Boxed brownie mix: Provides a foolproof fudgy base that’s moist and easy to bake.
Eggs: Help bind the brownies and give them that chewy texture we all love.
Vegetable oil: Keeps brownies tender and moist without adding any strong flavors.
Water: Balances the batter and helps everything mix smoothly.
Powdered sugar: Essential for that silky, sweet frosting with no graininess.
Butter, softened: Adds richness and a creamy texture to your frosting.
Vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer that brings out the chocolate and sweetness.
Milk: Adjusts the frosting’s consistency so it pipes perfectly for decorating.
Green food coloring: Gives the frosting that festive Christmas tree hue.
Holiday sprinkles and yellow stars: For decorating the “branches” and topping your edible tree with sparkle and charm.
Disposable piping bag & Wilton star tip: Makes frosting application neat, easy, and pretty.
Cookie cutters (3 round sizes): For cutting brownie circles that stack perfectly and form the shape of the tree.

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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

I love tweaking this Brownie Christmas Tree Recipe to match the vibe of the party or my mood. Sometimes, I add a sprinkle of chopped nuts for crunch or swap the green food coloring for red around Valentine’s Day for a fun twist. You can really make it your own!

Variation: One Christmas, I swapped the sprinkles for tiny candy canes and it brought a minty vibe that everyone adored.
Dietary swaps: Use gluten-free brownie mix and dairy-free margarine for a crowd-friendly adjustment.
Flavor boosts: Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the brownie mix for an extra depth of flavor that really makes the chocolate sing.

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

Step 1: Bake and Cool Your Brownies

Start by following the brownie mix instructions with the eggs, vegetable oil, and water, then bake as directed. Once out of the oven, pat yourself on the back and let them cool completely — this step is crucial so the brownies hold their shape when you cut and stack them.

Step 2: Whip Up the Green Frosting

While the brownies cool, mix powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract until creamy. Add milk slowly — a tablespoon at a time — until it’s the perfect consistency for piping. Finally, stir in green food coloring until you get a vibrant Christmas tree green.

Step 3: Cut Out Brownie Circles

Use your three different-sized cookie cutters to gently cut circles from the cooled brownie slab — the biggest for the base, the smallest for the top of your tree. Don’t press too hard or your brownies might crumble. Take your time here for that perfect shape!

Step 4: Assemble and Decorate

Fill your piping bag fitted with the Wilton star tip with the green frosting. Starting with the largest brownie circle, pipe a dollop of frosting on top then place the next smaller circle on top. Repeat until all are stacked, topping the final brownie with a generous swirl of frosting. Then sprinkle with your festive holiday sprinkles and finish with a yellow star on top — just like the real thing!

Top Tip

After making this Brownie Christmas Tree Recipe a few times, I’ve learned a couple of tricks that really help you nail it — especially if you want it to look polished and hold together well for a party.

Don’t rush cutting: Chill the brownies for an hour before cutting; it makes slicing neater and reduces crumbs.
Pipe with confidence: When frosting, start with a small amount in the middle and build up layers gently to avoid squishing the brownies.
Use the right frosting consistency: Frosting should be thick enough to hold its shape but still soft enough to pipe smoothly.
Last-minute assembly: I prefer stacking and decorating the trees just before serving so they don’t get soggy or lose shape.

How to Serve Brownie Christmas Tree Recipe

Brownie Christmas Tree - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I personally love using festive sprinkles with red, white, and silver colors, plus those tiny edible yellow stars as tree toppers — they bring so much Christmas cheer! Sometimes, I also add mini candy canes or crushed peppermint candy around the base for an extra holiday pop.

Side Dishes

These brownie trees pair beautifully with classic holiday drinks like hot cocoa or mulled wine. For a brunch spread, I like serving them alongside cinnamon-spiced fruit salad or a light whipped cream to balance the rich chocolate.

Creative Ways to Present

Try placing each brownie tree on a small decorative plate or mini cake stand to make individual servings feel special. I’ve also wrapped mine in clear cellophane tied with a festive ribbon to give as edible gifts — such a hit with neighbors and friends!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover brownie trees in an airtight container in the fridge — just be careful the decorations don’t get squished. They stay fresh for about 3-4 days, perfect for enjoying second helpings over the holidays.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked brownies before cutting and assembling. Wrap the brownie slab tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge, then cut and decorate as usual.

Reheating

I honestly prefer these brownies at room temperature or chilled, but if you want to warm them a bit, pop a single brownie on a microwave-safe plate for about 10 seconds. Avoid reheating the fully assembled tree to protect the frosting decorations.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the frosting without butter?

Yes! You can substitute butter for margarine or use a dairy-free butter alternative if you’re avoiding dairy, but the texture will be slightly different. Just make sure your substitute is softened for easy mixing.

What if I don’t have the Wilton star tip?

No worries! You can use any small round piping tip or even a zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off to pipe the frosting. It might not have the perfect star effect, but it’ll still look festive and taste great.

Can I use homemade brownies instead of the boxed mix?

Absolutely! Homemade brownies work wonderfully here. Just bake them in a square pan so you can cut out circles easily once cooled. The key is letting the brownies cool completely before cutting and stacking.

How far ahead can I assemble the brownie trees?

I recommend assembling the trees no more than a few hours before serving to keep the frosting fresh and prevent the brownies from getting soggy. If you need to prep earlier, you can cut the brownies and make the frosting in advance but stack right before guests arrive.

Final Thoughts

This Brownie Christmas Tree Recipe holds a warm corner in my heart because it turns simple brownies into an interactive, joyful holiday tradition. I love how everyone gathers around to admire the “trees” before diving in, and trust me, once you make and share these, they’ll become a festive staple you look forward to every year. Give it a try — you’ll enjoy every delicious step along the way!