Christmas Tree Brownies with Candy Cane Trunks Recipe

If you’re looking for a holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’ve got to try my Christmas Tree Brownies with Candy Cane Trunks Recipe. I absolutely love how this recipe turns simple brownies into festive little trees that charm everyone from kids to adults. You’ll find that with just a few easy ingredients, you can create a dessert that’s perfect for your Christmas party, gift baskets, or just to brighten up an ordinary winter day. Keep reading—I’m spilling all my tips and tricks to make this a breeze in your kitchen!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

What I really love about the ingredients for this Christmas Tree Brownies with Candy Cane Trunks Recipe is how simple and easy they are to find, but they come together to create something super impressive. The boxed brownie mix is our base, with just a few decorations to transform the look completely.

• Brownie Mix: Choose a good-quality boxed mix for ease—my favorite is fudgy and rich without being too dense.
• White Vanilla Icing: This adds that smooth, sweet “snowy” frosting for your trees and is easy to color.
• Green Food Coloring: A little goes a long way to get that perfect evergreen shade.
• Small Round Sprinkles: These mimic ornaments—pick your favorites or mix colors for a festive flair.
• Small Star Sprinkles: The star on top is the finishing touch that makes each tree pop.
• Candy Canes: They form the “trunk,” and breaking them into pieces makes assembly quick and mess-free.

Variations

I love that this Christmas Tree Brownies with Candy Cane Trunks Recipe is so customizable. Over the years, I’ve played around with a handful of tweaks that are fun and just as delicious—feel free to make it your own!

• Use Mint Chocolate or Peppermint Brownies: Switching the brownie base to mint-flavored intensifies the holiday vibes—my family swears by it!
• Swap Candy Canes for Pretzel Rods: For a salty twist on the “trunk,” pretzel rods offer crunch and a great taste contrast that my kids actually prefer sometimes.
• Nut-Free Version: Make sure your brownie mix is nut-free and use allergy-friendly sprinkles for school-friendly treats.
• Vegan or Gluten-Free Options: Look for vegan and gluten-free brownie mixes and icing to accommodate dietary needs without losing any of the fun.

How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies with Candy Cane Trunks Recipe

Step 1: Bake Your Brownies Just Right

Start by lining an 8″x8″ baking pan with aluminum foil (don’t skip this, it makes cleanup a breeze!) and give it a quick spray with cooking spray. Prepare your brownie mix as directed on the box—just follow the instructions for mixing and baking times. After baking, the trick is patience: let the brownies cool completely, which usually takes about an hour and a half. I learned the hard way that cutting warm brownies makes the icing and candy canes slip off later, so cold brownies are your friend.

Step 2: Cut and Shape the Trees

Once cooled, carefully lift the foil with the brownies out of the pan. Place the brownies on a cutting board and cut into triangles. I found it easiest to first cut three rows and then make alternating diagonal cuts to form perfect little trees. If your edges are a bit crumbly, don’t worry—they’re still adorable and delicious!

Step 3: Prepare the Candy Cane Trunks

Unwrap your candy canes, and with a sharp knife, gently break them into 1.5-inch-long pieces. The sharper end works best to press into the bottom of each brownie triangle, giving the appearance of a tree trunk. This step always delights my family and guests—it’s like magic seeing those peppermint “trunks” hold the brownies upright.

Step 4: Color the Icing and Decorate

Spoon about half the tub of white vanilla icing into a separate bowl. Add green food coloring a drop at a time until you reach your favorite shade of green—don’t rush this part! Then, transfer the green icing into a small zip-lock bag, seal it, and snip off a tiny corner to create your piping bag. Starting at the top of each brownie triangle, gently squeeze the icing out in a playful zigzag pattern down the “tree.” Finally, sprinkle your small round sprinkles as ornaments and top with a star sprinkle. It’s pure holiday magic.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Brownies with Candy Cane Trunks Recipe

Garnishes

When it comes to garnishes, I stick to colorful small round sprinkles because they look like tiny ornaments and bring that extra pop of festive cheer. The little star sprinkle on top is non-negotiable for me—it’s the cherry on top of the Christmas tree! Sometimes, I add edible glitter or crushed peppermint for a sparkly, wintry effect.

Side Dishes

I love pairing these brownies with a mug of warm cocoa or peppermint tea. If you’re serving at a party, these go perfectly with a light fruit platter or a simple cheese board to balance the sweetness and keep things festive but fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

One favorite presentation trick I’ve tried is arranging the brownie trees on a platter of fresh pine branches or festive napkins for a rustic, winter woodland vibe. You can also stack them on a tiered dessert stand to make a dramatic Christmas display that gets lots of “oohs” and “aahs.” For gifting, wrap each brownie in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon—it’s like giving a little piece of holiday magic.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated, I store these brownies in an airtight container at room temperature. They last beautifully for 2-3 days without losing their freshness or the icing’s texture. I usually keep them in the fridge if my house is warm to avoid the candy canes softening.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing the decorated Christmas Tree Brownies with Candy Cane Trunks because the icing can sometimes discolor or the candy canes get soggy, but you can freeze the plain brownies baked from the mix. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Decorate after thawing.

Reheating

Brownies are actually great served at room temperature, so I usually skip reheating. If you want them warm, gently microwave a single brownie for 10-15 seconds—but avoid heating the candy cane trunk, which might soften and lose that crisp bite.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Brownies with Candy Cane Trunks Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions because it’s simple but feels so joyful and festive. I love sharing these little trees with friends and family, and watching their faces light up is the best reward. If you’re ready for a fun holiday baking project that comes together quickly and tastes just as wonderful as it looks, you really can’t go wrong here. Give it a try—you’ll be making these brownies again and again to spread that Christmas magic!

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