Can I make the brownies gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the plain flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure it contains xanthan gum or add a binding agent to mimic the texture of regular flour. Keep an eye on baking time as gluten-free flours might affect it slightly.

How do I keep the icing from sliding off the brownies?

Make sure your brownies are completely cooled before frosting. If they're warm, the buttercream will melt and slide off. Also, pipe the buttercream on gently without overloading the brownies with too much icing at once.

Can I use other shapes besides Christmas trees?

Definitely! While the Christmas tree shape is festive, you can cut brownies into stars, snowflakes, or any holiday shapes you like. Using cookie cutters can make this easier and more precise.

Can I prepare these brownies ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the brownies a day or two in advance, store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and decorate them on the day you plan to serve for the freshest look and texture.

Christmas Tree Brownies - Festive Holiday Treats Your Family Will Love

Description

Delight in these festive Christmas Tree Brownies, rich and chocolaty treats shaped like holiday trees, decorated with vibrant green buttercream and candy canes for a perfect seasonal celebration dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Brownies

200 g unsalted butter
200 g dark chocolate
4 medium eggs
275 g caster sugar
100 g plain flour
50 g cocoa powder
100 g milk chocolate chips
100 g white chocolate chips

Decorations

10 candy canes
100 g unsalted butter
200 g icing sugar
Green food colouring
Sprinkles
Sweets (such as M&Ms for stars)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180C/160C Fan and line a 9-inch square baking tray with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a heatproof bowl over boiling water or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, melt together the unsalted butter and dark chocolate until smooth. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Whisk Eggs and Sugar: Using an electric whisk or stand mixer, whisk the eggs and caster sugar until pale, mousse-like, and doubled in volume. When lifting the whisk, the mixture should leave a trail briefly before disappearing.
Combine Chocolate with Egg Mixture: Gently fold the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg and sugar mixture carefully to maintain the airiness without deflating it.
Add Dry Ingredients: Sift the cocoa powder and plain flour over the combined mixture and fold in cautiously, preserving the fluffy texture.
Fold in Chocolate Chips: Fold through the milk and white chocolate chips evenly into the batter.
Bake Brownies: Pour the batter into the prepared tray and bake in the oven for 30 minutes until set. Allow to cool completely in the tin.
Shape Brownies: Once cooled, cut the brownies into Christmas tree shapes by halving the tray then cutting triangles. Insert candy cane sticks carefully into the base of each tree for support.
Prepare Buttercream: Cream together the unsalted butter and icing sugar until smooth. Add green food colouring until the desired shade is achieved.
Decorate: Transfer buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a 2D closed star tip and pipe zigzag lines on the brownies. Add sprinkles, sweets, and a yellow star candy (e.g., M&M) at the top of each brownie tree.
Serve and Enjoy: Let the decorated brownies set briefly, then serve and enjoy your festive treats!

Notes

Snapping off the curved tops of candy canes helps use just the straight parts for easy insertion as tree trunks; save offcuts for other holiday treats.
Store brownies in an airtight container to stay fresh for up to one week, making them wonderful gifts or party treats.
This recipe is adapted from a BBC Good Food brownie base with personalized decoration ideas.
Use good-quality green food colouring to achieve vibrant buttercream for the tree effect.
Using a 2D closed star piping tip creates an elegant zigzag decoration perfect for mimicking pine needles.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 brownie
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 30 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 13 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg