Christmas Tree Brownies
User Reviews
5
Christmas Tree Brownies
Description
These brownies start with a combined mixture of butter, sugars, water, and melted bittersweet chocolate chips, to which eggs and vanilla are added. A careful folding in of flour, salt, and baking soda prevents overmixing to keep the brownies dense and fudgy rather than cakey. Additional chocolate chips folded in before baking enhance the chocolate texture and flavor.
After baking, the brownies must be cooled and chilled to firm before cutting into triangular shapes that mimic Christmas trees. This shape offers a playful and festive presentation. The green frosting is made from powdered sugar, butter, heavy cream, and green food coloring, with sprinkles providing seasonal decoration. Candy canes may also be used to complete the holiday theme.
These brownies serve as a holiday treat that combines rich, fudgy chocolate with decorative frosting suitable for festive occasions. Their texture stays moist and tender due to careful mixing and balanced sugar content.
Using salted butter is standard, but if unsalted butter is preferred, adding extra salt adjusts the balance. Light brown sugar is used for a mild caramel note. Weighing or sifting the flour is recommended to ensure the right texture. Bittersweet chocolate chips provide 60% cacao content; dark or semisweet chips may be substituted but will affect sweetness and flavor intensity. Nutritional values are approximate.
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 ⅓ cups bittersweet chocolate chips divided
- 2 egg large
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour please see notes below, sifted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Trees
- 5 candy canes optional
Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- green food coloring
- Sprinkles Christmas
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Grease or parchment-line an 8x8-inch metal pan. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, combine butter, sugars, and water.
- Bring to a boil, stirring regularly.
- Remove pan from heat.
- Whisk in 1 cup chocolate chips until melted and well-combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla.
- Whisk until well-combined.
- Add flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Whisk in just until combined. Don't overmix.
- Stir in the remaining 1/3 cup chocolate chips
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing as needed.
- Bake for about 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few fudgy crumbs.
- Let the brownies cool to room temperature.
- Chill for 1 hour before cutting and decorating.
- Remove the brownies from the pan and cut into triangles. You should get three rows with 4 large triangles per row. You will also have some edges that make smaller trees. This will give you 12 large brownie trees.
- If you are using candy canes, unwrap each one and, with a knife, carefully cut 1.5 inch long pieces. Press the sharper ends of the candy cane into the bottom of the tree.
- Meanwhile, make the buttercream frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat the butter in a large bowl on low for about 30 seconds.
- Add the powdered sugar and heavy cream. Beat on low for about 1-2 minutes, or until incorporated.
- Mix in green food coloring to get your desired color.
- Add the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip.
- Starting at the top of the tree, make a zigzag to the bottom of the tree.
- Sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles.
Notes
- Salted butter is used in the recipe; if substituting unsalted butter, increase salt to 1/2 teaspoon.
- Light brown sugar contributes a mild caramel flavor in these brownies.
- For best texture, weigh or sift the flour; avoid compacting when measuring.
- Bittersweet chocolate chips with around 60% cacao are preferred; dark or semisweet chips can be used but will alter flavor and sweetness.
- Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Christmas trees
Amount Per Serving
Calories 320 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 320kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 53mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 176mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 156mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 29g | 58% |
| Vitamin A | 336IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 73mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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