Brownie Christmas Tree Treats Made from a Mix

These fudgy Easy Christmas Tree Brownies start from a boxed brownie mix and turn into a festive, simple holiday treat. With just a few pantry staples and a little decorating time, you can bake a pan of brownies, cut them into tree-shaped triangles, and top each piece with green buttercream and sprinkles for cheerful brownie Christmas trees.

Cookie season is here, but sometimes a tray of brownies is an even better crowd-pleaser. These brownies are fudgy, quick to make, and perfect for holiday gatherings because they use a boxed mix—saving time for the best part: decorating. They’re ideal for potlucks, classroom parties, or an afternoon of holiday baking with kids who love to add sprinkles and colorful frosting to their creations.

Ingredients for Brownie Christmas Trees

Chocolate brownie mix + box ingredients (water, oil, eggs) – Use your favorite brand and follow the package directions to make the batter.

Butter – Real butter (softened) for a rich homemade buttercream.

Powdered sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting.

Milk – Whole milk adds creaminess to the buttercream.

Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla for balanced flavor.

Green gel food coloring – Makes the frosting tree-green.

Christmas sprinkles – Colorful sprinkles to mimic ornaments and lights.

How to Make Christmas Tree Brownies

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch pan with non-stick spray.

Step 2: Prepare the boxed brownie batter according to package directions and pour into the prepared pan.

Step 3: Bake the brownies following the package time, then set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully is important so the brownies cut cleanly.

Step 4: Once cooled, cut the brownies into tree shapes. Slice the pan in half lengthwise, then cut each half into triangles. Trim the rounded corners so each piece forms a triangle; those small scraps make excellent taste-test bites.

Step 5: Transfer the triangle brownies to parchment paper for decorating.

Step 6: Make the buttercream by beating softened butter until smooth, then gradually adding powdered sugar. Add vanilla and 1–2 tablespoons milk to reach spreadable consistency. Mix in green gel food coloring until the color is even. If the frosting is too thin, add powdered sugar a tablespoon or two at a time to thicken.

Step 7: Fill a piping bag or a resealable bag with the green buttercream and pipe a squiggle or zigzag over each triangle to resemble tree branches. Finish with Christmas sprinkles as ornaments. For variety, try crushed peppermint, mini M&Ms, or use a pretzel or a small candy for a trunk.

How to Cut the Christmas Tree Brownies

For best results, chill or cool the brownies at least an hour. Use a sharp knife sprayed lightly with cooking spray to make smooth cuts; wipe and respray the blade between cuts. Measure or mark lightly if you want uniform sizes, but perfect precision isn’t necessary—rustic triangles look charming. A plastic knife also works well for cutting brownies cleanly.

Decorating Tips

A simple squiggle of green buttercream and a few sprinkles create adorable tree brownies. If you want a twist, swap sprinkles for crushed peppermint or mini candies. Pretzel sticks make a salty tree trunk, or use a small piece of candy or cookie for a sweeter trunk.

Tips for Success

Keep it easy: the boxed brownies give reliable fudgy texture while homemade buttercream elevates the look and taste. Let kids pick the sprinkles and help decorate—this is a great family activity and a fun holiday tradition.

Variations

Add chocolate chips to the batter for extra richness, or use store-bought frosting if you prefer. Frost heavily for a frosted-tree look, or pipe delicate lines for a minimalist style. Mix and match toppings—there’s no wrong way to decorate these brownies.

Make-Ahead and Storage

You can make these brownies up to three days in advance. Store decorated brownies at room temperature in a sealed container for 1–2 days or refrigerate for up to 3 days.