Christmas Dessert Creativity: Frosted Tree Brownie Bites

Introduction

Frosted Tree Brownie Bites are a whimsical, crowd-pleasing Christmas dessert that’s equal parts fun and festive. Moist, fudgy brownies are cut into bite-sized triangles and decorated like Christmas trees with colorful frosting and sprinkles. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a cookie exchange, or looking for an easy party treat, these little tree-shaped brownies are a creative way to bring holiday cheer to the dessert table.

They’re simple to make using your favorite homemade brownie recipe (or boxed mix for ease), and the decorating possibilities are endless. Pipe on green frosting for tree branches, add sprinkle “ornaments,” and finish with candy cane trunks or chocolate stars. These mini desserts are just as fun to eat as they are to make.

Ingredients Overview

You’ll need two main components: brownies and decorations.

For the Brownies:

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Provides rich, chocolatey depth. Dutch-processed or natural cocoa both work.
All-Purpose Flour: Keeps the brownies chewy and structured.
Butter: Adds moisture and rich flavor. Melted butter helps create that dense, fudgy texture.
Sugar: Granulated sugar gives classic sweetness and crisp edges.
Eggs: Bind everything and contribute to the gooey texture.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor.
Salt: Balances the sweetness.

Or use a boxed brownie mix for a shortcut — just prepare according to package directions in a 9×13-inch pan.

For Decorating:

Green Frosting: Either homemade buttercream or store-bought tinted with green gel food coloring.
Sprinkles: Use mini round sprinkles as ornaments or stars, and sanding sugar for sparkle.
Mini Candy Canes or Pretzel Sticks: Used as the tree trunk base.
Optional: Yellow star candies, edible glitter, chocolate chips, or crushed peppermint.

Frosting Tip:

A thick, pipeable consistency is key. Use a small star tip or open round tip for best results when piping the “branches.”

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Bake the Brownies

Prepare your brownies in a 9×13-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake until set but still soft in the center (check for a few moist crumbs on a toothpick). Cool completely before cutting.

For cleanest cuts:

Chill the brownies in the fridge for 30–60 minutes.
Use a long, sharp knife cleaned between cuts.

2. Cut Into Tree Shapes

Cut the cooled brownies into triangles:

Slice the brownies into 3 long rows lengthwise.
Then cut each row into alternating diagonal triangles (zig-zag cuts).

You should get about 18–20 tree shapes depending on the size.

Optional: Use a triangle-shaped cookie cutter or trace a triangle stencil for uniformity.

3. Prepare the Frosting

Make a simple buttercream:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3–4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2–3 tbsp milk
Green gel food coloring

Beat until fluffy and smooth. Add coloring until desired shade of green is reached.

Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a star or round tip.

4. Decorate the Trees

Pipe zig-zag “branches” across each brownie triangle. Get creative with styles — thick garlands, small tufts, or layered rows.

Add:

Sprinkles for ornaments
Yellow star candy or chocolate chip at the top
Dusting of edible glitter or powdered sugar “snow”

Stick a mini candy cane (hook snapped off) or pretzel stick into the base of each triangle to form the tree trunk.

5. Serve or Store

Let the frosting set for 20–30 minutes, then arrange on a platter or pack into treat boxes.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate if using cream cheese frosting.

Tips, Variations & Substitutions

Frosting-Free Option: Dust brownies with powdered sugar and add a small chocolate star — great for simpler presentation.
White Trees: Use white vanilla frosting and decorate with blue and silver sprinkles for a snowy look.
Peppermint Twist: Add crushed candy canes to the brownie batter or top with peppermint bark shards.
Nut-Free: Skip any topping with nuts to make them allergy-friendly for parties or school events.
Make Ahead: Bake and cut brownies 1–2 days in advance. Frost and decorate the day of serving.

Serving Ideas & Occasions

These brownie bites are made for:

Christmas Cookie Swaps: Bite-sized and easy to pack or display.
Holiday Dessert Tables: Add height and color to your spread.
Classroom or Office Parties: Fun, portable, and low-mess.
Family Baking Days: A fun and creative activity for kids to decorate.

Display on a white platter with red napkins, or line them up in rows like a Christmas forest.

Pair with:

Hot chocolate with marshmallows
Eggnog or peppermint mochas
A platter of sugar cookies and gingerbread men

Nutritional & Health Notes

These brownie bites are indulgent treats — rich, chocolatey, and frosted. To lighten them up slightly:

Use applesauce in place of some butter
Cut smaller triangle portions
Use a light dusting of frosting or skip the trunk add-ons

Estimated per decorated tree:

Calories: ~180–220
Fat: ~9–12g
Sugar: ~18g
Carbs: ~25g
Protein: ~2g

FAQs

Q1: Can I use store-bought brownies?
A1: Yes! Use a sheet of pre-baked brownies and cut them into triangle shapes. Just ensure they’re not too crumbly for decorating.

Q2: What if I don’t have piping bags?
A2: Use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off to pipe the frosting, or spread with a butter knife for a rustic look.

Q3: Can I freeze these?
A3: You can freeze undecorated brownie triangles for up to 2 months. Decorate after thawing to avoid smearing.

Q4: How do I keep the candy canes from getting sticky?
A4: Insert them just before serving. Alternatively, use pretzel sticks which hold up better over time.

Q5: Can I make these gluten-free?
A5: Yes! Use a gluten-free brownie recipe or box mix, and ensure decorations are certified gluten-free.

Q6: Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to the brownies?
A6: Definitely! Add ½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips for extra texture.

Q7: What frosting works best?
A7: A stiff buttercream holds its shape well. You can also use tinted cream cheese frosting, but it may need to be refrigerated.