looking for a DIY activity to do with the kids this weekend?
this recipe is perfect to do when it is time to put up the tree OR if you just want brownies then you can just use the brownie portion of the recipe.
There was so much love for the mini egg brownies in the spring that I decided we needed to change these up for the holidays! These brownies are a great afternoon activity on a cold, snowy weekend during the holidays or when eat while decorating for the holiday season. Grab your favourite M&M’s, sprinkles or candy and lean into your creative side and get decorating. These will keep the kids entertained for hours and the whole family will love to eat them!
let’s get baking!
ally’s tips for brownies
Make sure you let them cool completely before you cut them (usually 1 hour). Hungry and don’t want to wait? You can leave them to cool for 20-30 minutes and then throw them in the fridge to finish. They also cut into perfect squares when chilled!
Overcooking these can cause two problems:
- Chocolate burn easily – while I recommend cutting the edges off before dividing them into 12, the bottom can also burn if overcooked!
- The texture will go from soft and chewy to cake-like and possibly dry if cooked too long.
NO MIXER REQUIRED !
I tried it with a mixer and with just a whisk, spatula and bowl and both work! So not to worry, you don’t even need a mixer for these!
a few ways to change these up:
- Just want brownies? Use the recipe for the brownie portion and make your own brownies!
- LOVE peppermint? Add 1/4-1/2 tsp of peppermint extract to the brownie mix.
- Like them salty? Use pretzels instead of candy canes, add a little sea salt on top and use caramel topping instead of icing.
storage:
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
how to make DIY Christmas tree brownies
make delicious brownies using the recipe below
cool brownies, and make icing.
cut brownies into trees and decorate
eat & enjoy!
follow along below if you get stuck:
Christmas Tree Brownies
Easy DIY Festive Brownies
Equipment
- Glass Bowl or Mixer Bowl
- 9×13” pan
- Parchment Paper
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Piping Bag or Sandwich Bag
Ingredients
Brownie Trees
- 1 Cup salted butter melted
- 4 Eggs room temperature
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Vanilla
- 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
- Dash Salt
- 1 cup flour
- 2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Icing
- 1 Cup Icing Sugar
- 1-2 Tbsp Milk
- 1 Tsp Vanilla
- Green Food Colouring optional
Decorations
- M&M’s, sprinkles or other candies for decoration
- Candy Canes for the “tree trunk”
Instructions
Brownie Trees
- Preheat oven to 325 and line 9×13" cake pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Melt butter in heat proof bowl, add sugar, chocolate chips and vanilla. Whisk until combined and let sit for 10 mins.
- In another mixing bowl combine flour, cocoa powder and salt and whisk for 30 seconds or until no clumps of cocoa powder remain. A flour sifter can also be used as an alternative. Set aside.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter, sugar and vanilla mixture and mix until combined using the whisk.
- Add in flour mixture and fold in using spatula until combined. Don't over mix or you will have tough brownies.
- Pour brownie mixture into parchment lined 9×13" cake pan.
- Cook in pre-heated oven for 30-35 minutes until top is soft but not jiggly. Toothpick should come out mostly clean. Caution: chocolate can burn easily so don't overcook!
- Let cool for 1 hour min. before cutting. For best results, let cool for 30 mins, then finish cooling in fridge for 1-12 hours, then cut.
Icing
- In a small mixing bowl, mix icing sugar, milk and vanilla until you have a desired consistency. Icing should take about 10 seconds to pour from spoon to bowl.
- Add food colouring to meet desired colour
- Icing can be put in a piping bag or sandwich bag. If you want, spooning it on will also do the trick!
Assembly
- You can stop here and just eat the brownies, OR! Cut them into triangles (see pictures above).
- Break candy canes into 2-3 pieces and insert into the bottom of the triangle.
- Use icing and chocolates/candies to decorate !
- Eat & enjoy!
