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Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites Recipe

Friends, if you’re looking to add a dash of festive fun to your holiday dessert table, you’ve got to try this Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites Recipe. It’s one of those treats that feels like the holidays in your mouth — rich, chocolatey brownies topped with fluffy, green buttercream piped into adorable Christmas tree shapes. I promise, once you make these, they’ll become a must-have at every Christmas gathering. Keep reading so I can walk you through exactly how to make these magic bites come to life in your kitchen!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Super Festive Look: The piped green trees with sprinkles make these brownie bites a standout holiday treat.
  • Easy & Accessible: Box brownie mix and a simple buttercream make it a quick win even for bakers in a hurry.
  • Kid-Friendly Fun: My kids love helping me pipe the frosting and adding sprinkles, making it a great holiday activity.
  • Perfect Bite-Size Treats: They’re just the right size for snacking or sharing at parties without the mess.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients here come together beautifully — the boxed brownie mix gives you that fudgy base without stress, and the homemade buttercream frosting with a pop of green makes these treats irresistible and colorful. Here are some tips on picking the best ingredients for this Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites Recipe.

Flat lay of a small mound of soft unsalted butter, a few whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine white powdered sugar, another small white bowl holding creamy heavy cream, a small white bowl containing clear vanilla extract, a white bowl with a pinch of sea salt, a tiny white bowl with vibrant green liquid food coloring, and a scattering of colorful holiday sprinkles arranged neatly beside the bowls, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites, Christmas brownie treats, holiday brownie bites, Christmas dessert ideas, easy holiday chocolate desserts
  • Box brownie mix: I often use a trusted brand that yields moist, fudgy brownies — you’ll want one without extra chips or nuts for a smooth canvas.
  • Unsalted butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature so it creams beautifully with the sugar in the frosting.
  • Powdered sugar: This gives your buttercream that silky smooth texture and the sweetness to balance the rich chocolate.
  • Heavy cream: Adds creaminess and helps you get the perfect frosting consistency every time.
  • Vanilla extract: A little vanilla goes a long way to deepen the flavor of your frosting.
  • Salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweetness and rounds out the buttercream flavor.
  • Green food coloring: Use gel-based coloring for a vibrant, not watery, frosting.
  • Holiday sprinkles: Choose festive shapes and colors to add a playful touch on top of your “trees.”
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I absolutely love when you make a recipe your own, and with the Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites Recipe, there’s plenty of room for fun twists. Whether you’re catering to dietary needs or just switching things up for a new flavor, these variations have worked well for me.

  • Gluten-Free Variation: I swapped in a gluten-free brownie mix once for a friend’s holiday party, and honestly, no one could tell the difference — still fudgy and festive!
  • Nutty Delight: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the brownie batter gives a lovely crunch that pairs nicely with the creamy frosting.
  • Mint Chocolate Twist: I stirred in some peppermint extract into the frosting last year, which made these bites taste like a classic holiday candy cane — so refreshing!
  • Vegan Adaptation: Using a dairy-free butter and a vegan brownie mix can easily convert the recipe, just make sure your frosting is whipped till fluffy.

How to Make Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Mini Cupcake Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and making sure your mini cupcake pan is thoroughly greased with nonstick spray. Trust me, this step is crucial so your brownie bites pop out easily without breaking. I use a silicon brush sometimes to get every little corner covered. Once that’s done, you’re ready for the batter.

Step 2: Mix and Fill Brownie Batter

Prepare your brownie mix exactly as directed on the box — usually water, eggs, and oil. I like to whisk it gently until just combined to keep it nice and fudgy. Then fill each mini cupcake cavity about two-thirds full. That’s the perfect amount for bite-sized brownies that rise well but won’t overflow. A small cookie scoop makes this so much cleaner and easier!

Step 3: Bake and Create Your Indentations

Bake your brownie bites for 15 to 17 minutes. You want the edges firm but the centers still a little soft — not gooey, but soft enough so they stay moist. Right after taking them out, use the back of a small round teaspoon to gently press an indent into the center of each brownie. This little hollow holds your frosting perfectly later. Let them cool in-pan for 10 minutes before popping them out.

Step 4: Cool and Prepare Buttercream

Once your brownie bites are out, transfer them to a cooling rack so they can cool completely while you whip up the frosting. Cream your softened butter on low speed until pale and creamy — I swear this part makes your frosting luscious. Then add powdered sugar and heavy cream gradually, alternating between the two to get a silky texture that isn’t too runny or stiff.

Step 5: Color and Pipe Your Christmas Trees

Add vanilla, salt, and your vibrant green food coloring, then whip the whole batch on high for a couple of minutes so it’s fluffy and perfect for piping. Using a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, twirl your frosting onto each brownie bite in back-and-forth motions to create that classic Christmas tree shape. Finally, jazz them up with your festive sprinkles — I find that a mix of stars and red-and-white dots looks super cute.

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites Recipe

  • Avoid Overfilling: Filling the pan about ⅔ full helps keep the brownies uniform and prevents overflowing.
  • Use Gel Food Coloring: It gives a vibrant green frosting without watering down the texture.
  • Cooling is Crucial: Make sure brownies are completely cool before frosting so your buttercream doesn’t melt.
  • Indent Center While Warm: Pressing an indent in the centers right out of the oven prevents cracking when frosting later.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites Recipe

The image shows several small cupcakes arranged on a white round plate with a white marbled surface underneath. Each cupcake has two layers: the bottom layer is a dark brown chocolate base with a rough texture, and the top layer is bright green frosting piped in a swirl, shaped like a Christmas tree. Each frosting top is decorated with a small yellow star on the very tip. Tiny yellow star-shaped sprinkles are also scattered on the plate and the marbled surface around the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites, Christmas brownie treats, holiday brownie bites, Christmas dessert ideas, easy holiday chocolate desserts

Garnishes

I love topping these tree-shaped brownies with festive sprinkles like stars, mini red balls, or even edible glitter — it instantly makes them party-ready and so cheerful. Last Christmas, I even sprinkled some finely chopped pistachios for a fresh crunch that paired well with the rich frosting!

Side Dishes

These festive bites pair wonderfully with warm drinks — think cinnamon-spiced hot cocoa or a piping hot cup of coffee. I sometimes set them alongside a cheese board or holiday cookies to create a colorful dessert spread that impresses all my guests.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged these brownie bites on a large platter in the shape of a giant Christmas tree and sprinkled edible snowflake decorations around. It was a showstopper! You can also present them in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons as perfect little gifts or party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. I’ve found keeping them away from direct heat is key so the frosting stays intact and doesn’t melt.

Freezing

I’ve wrapped these brownies individually in plastic wrap and popped them in a freezer-safe container. Frozen, they keep well for up to a month. When you want to enjoy them again, just thaw overnight in the fridge to keep the frosting’s texture.

Reheating

Since these are best served at room temp, I gently bring frozen brownie bites to room temperature on a tray — the frosting stays perfect this way. If you want a slightly warm brownie underneath the frosting, I pop just the brownie base (without frosting) in the microwave for a few seconds before frosting.

FAQs

  1. Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

    Absolutely! You can make the buttercream frosting a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Before you use it, just let it come to room temperature and whip it again to restore its fluffy texture.

  2. What if I don’t have a piping bag or star tip?

    No worries! You can use a small plastic zipper bag and cut a tiny corner off it to pipe the frosting. The star tip just makes the tree texture prettier, but the taste is the same either way.

  3. Can I substitute homemade brownies instead of box mix?

    Yes! If you love baking from scratch, any thick, fudgy brownie recipe works well here. Just be sure the batter isn’t too thin so the brownie cups hold shape in the mini pan.

  4. How do I get the frosting to hold its shape?

    Make sure you beat the buttercream really well and adjust the powdered sugar or cream to get a stiff but pipeable consistency. Using chilled frosting can also help hold the shape better when piping.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites Recipe holds such a special spot in my holiday baking rotation. It’s easy enough to make with the family, yet so impressive on the table that guests are always asking for seconds. I love that you can make it your own with sprinkles, flavors, and even dietary tweaks. So next time you’re looking to wow everyone with a cheerful, bite-sized Christmas treat, give this recipe a go — I know it’ll become a favorite in your home too!

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Festive Christmas Tree Brownie Bites Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 63 reviews
  • Author: Lauren
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 17 minutes
  • Total Time: 87 minutes
  • Yield: 36 brownie bites
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Christmas Tree Brownie Bites are a festive and fun holiday treat made from a boxed brownie mix topped with homemade green buttercream frosting piped to resemble Christmas trees. Perfect for parties or gifting, these bite-sized desserts combine the rich fudginess of brownies with a creamy, sweet vanilla frosting and holiday sprinkles for a cheerful finish.


Ingredients

Brownie Base

  • 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients called for on the back of the box, usually water, eggs, oil)

Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Green food coloring
  • Holiday sprinkles (for decoration)


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a mini cupcake pan thoroughly with nonstick spray to ensure easy removal later.
  2. Make Brownie Batter: Follow the directions on your boxed brownie mix package, combining the mix with the required water, eggs, and oil to make the batter. Fill each mini cupcake cavity about two-thirds full with this batter.
  3. Bake Brownies: Place the pan in the oven and bake the brownies for 15 to 17 minutes. They should be firm around the edges but still slightly soft in the center (not gooey).
  4. Create an Indentation: Remove the pan from the oven and use the back of a round teaspoon to gently press an indentation into the center of each brownie to hold the frosting later. Let the brownies cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
  5. Cool Completely: Carefully use a paring knife to loosen and pop the brownie bites out of the pan. Transfer them to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.
  6. Make Buttercream Frosting: In a mixing bowl, cream 1 cup of softened unsalted butter on low speed with a paddle attachment until pale and creamy. Gradually add 3 cups of powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons heavy cream alternately in small amounts while mixing on low for about 3 minutes. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar for thicker frosting or more cream for thinner frosting.
  7. Add Flavor and Color: Mix in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt, and green food coloring. Increase the mixer speed to high and whip the frosting for 2 minutes until fluffy and well combined.
  8. Pipe Frosting: Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip with the green buttercream. Pipe the frosting onto each cooled brownie bite, twisting back and forth slightly as you go to create a Christmas tree shape.
  9. Decorate: Top each frosted brownie bite with festive holiday sprinkles to add color and cheer.

Notes

  • Using a boxed brownie mix simplifies the process but you can substitute with your favorite homemade brownie recipe if desired.
  • The indentation in the brownies helps the frosting sit securely and creates a more visually appealing shape.
  • If the frosting is too soft to pipe, chill it briefly before decorating.
  • These brownie bites are perfect for holiday parties and can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.
  • Use a fresh piping bag without food coloring residue for the brightest green frosting.
  • For a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar in small increments until desired consistency is achieved.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 brownie bite (approx. 30g)
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 85mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

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