Brownie Cups Christmas Tree

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Looking for a whimsical, crowd-pleasing treat to brighten your holiday dessert table? These Brownie Cups Christmas Tree bites are the ultimate festive dessert—bite-sized, irresistibly chewy, and topped with swirls of green buttercream to resemble mini Christmas trees. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and they come together with the help of a brownie mix and a few simple tools. Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping for a holiday party, or just want to create a dessert platter that steals the spotlight, this recipe is your go-to.

Looking for inspiration? Try our Christmas tree deviled eggs recipe—another festive favorite to complete your holiday spread!

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Why These Brownie Cups Make the Perfect Christmas Treat

Bite-sized joy: Perfect for parties and gifting

Mini desserts are always a hit, and these brownie cups Christmas tree bites are no exception. Each one is just the right size for a couple of bites, making them ideal for party platters, classroom celebrations, or holiday cookie exchanges. You can easily stack them, store them, and transport them without a fuss.

Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing holiday dessert

Kids absolutely love decorating these brownie cups. From swirling on the frosting to dropping tiny ornaments (sprinkles), this dessert turns into a fun holiday activity. Not to mention—adults can’t resist them either. They’re the first to vanish from any dessert table.

Easy to customize for other holidays too

What makes this recipe even more magical is its versatility. Swap the green frosting for pink and red, and you’ve got Valentine brownie bites. Use orange and black for Halloween or pastel hues for Easter. This recipe adapts beautifully to every season, making it a year-round go-to treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Brownie Cups Christmas Tree

Base ingredients: Brownie mix and add-ins

This recipe starts with a simple box of brownie mix—no need to complicate things during the holidays. Stick with a plain version (no chunks, swirls, or layers). You’ll also need eggs, oil, and water—follow the directions on the box for quantities.

Ingredient	Purpose
Brownie mix (boxed)	Base of the dessert
Eggs, oil, water	As directed by your mix
Non-stick spray	To prevent sticking in the pan
Mini muffin tin	Essential for cup shape

You can also make homemade brownie batter if you prefer, but the boxed version works beautifully for quick prep.

Frosting magic: Buttercream and decorations

The star of the show is the frosting—literally. A rich, creamy vanilla buttercream dyed with green food coloring is piped into tall swirls, then decorated with festive sprinkles and a candy star on top.

Frosting Ingredients	Why it’s needed
Unsalted butter (softened)	Rich base for the frosting
Powdered sugar	Structure and sweetness
Heavy cream	Lightens the texture
Pure vanilla extract	Adds warm, sweet notes
Green food coloring	Transforms frosting into “trees”
Holiday sprinkles	Ornament effect

Optional tools: Piping tips, mini muffin pans, and sprinkles

You’ll get the best results with a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, which helps create the tree-like swirls. A mini muffin tin ensures the perfect bite-size cups. Festive sprinkles are a must, and a small star candy or edible glitter can top off your trees beautifully.

Don’t miss our eyeball brownies delicious recipe if you’re looking for fun Halloween-themed brownie variations.

How to Make Brownie Cups Christmas Tree Step-by-Step

Preparing the brownie base in mini muffin tins

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and generously greasing a mini muffin pan with nonstick spray—even if it’s labeled nonstick. This ensures the brownie cups release cleanly after baking.

Follow the directions on your brownie mix package to prepare the batter. Once mixed, fill each muffin well about two-thirds full. Don’t overfill, as you’ll need space to add frosting later.

Bake for 15–17 minutes, or until the edges are firm but the centers are still slightly soft. Overbaking will result in dry brownie bites, so keep an eye on them. Once baked, use the back of a teaspoon or a small round tool to make an indentation in the center of each brownie while they’re still warm. This creates the perfect pocket for the frosting “tree” to sit.

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then gently remove each cup and place it on a wire rack to cool completely—this takes about 30 more minutes.

Discover great ideas like Christmas sugar cookies recipe if you want to add variety to your dessert table!

Making the buttercream and tinting it green

In a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup (2 sticks) of softened butter until light and creamy. Slowly add in 3 cups of powdered sugar, alternating with 3 tablespoons of heavy cream. Add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for flavor.

Once you achieve a smooth texture, tint the frosting with green food coloring. Beat on high speed for 2 more minutes to incorporate air, making the frosting fluffy and easy to pipe.

Adjust the consistency:

Too thick? Add more cream.
Too thin? Add more powdered sugar.

Piping the trees and decorating with sprinkles

Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Starting in the center of each brownie cup, pipe upward in a spiral motion to resemble a Christmas tree. Do this slowly and steadily for neat, cone-like swirls.

Immediately decorate each brownie cup after frosting—don’t wait! The buttercream sets fast, and if you delay, the sprinkles won’t stick. Use mini sugar pearls, colorful nonpareils, or festive holiday sprinkles. Top each tree with a mini candy star, edible glitter, or a golden sugar flake for the perfect finishing touch.

Check out Christmas salad with honey mustard dressing to balance out your sweets with a holiday-savory pairing.

Pro Tips for the Best Brownie Tree Bites

Avoid overbaking for soft, chewy texture

The biggest mistake? Overbaking. These brownie cups should have firm edges but slightly soft centers. Use a toothpick test—if it comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter), they’re done.

When to pipe and decorate for best results

Always pipe the frosting after the brownie cups have cooled completely. Warm brownies will melt your frosting into a gooey mess. And remember—sprinkle as you go, not after you’ve finished all the frosting.

Storage and make-ahead instructions

These brownie bites can be made ahead in parts:

Brownie base: Store in an airtight container for 2 days at room temp or 5 days refrigerated.
Frosting: Can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Let it soften before piping.

Once assembled, store the completed brownie cups in a single layer in a covered container. Keep cool if your kitchen is warm.

Don’t miss our peppermint chocolate chip cookies—a minty twist to your holiday cookie tray!

Variations & Creative Decorating Ideas

Switch up the frosting colors and themes

You’re not limited to green! Go for red and pink for Valentine’s Day, orange and purple for Halloween, or blue and white for Hanukkah. The same method works with different color schemes to match the season.

Add a candy star, edible glitter, or crushed peppermint

Make each mini tree a masterpiece. Add:

Candy stars on top
Edible glitter or shimmer spray for a frosty look
Crushed peppermint for texture and minty flair
Mini M&Ms or chocolate chips as ornaments

Make “snowy” trees with coconut flakes

For a snowy effect, roll or sprinkle your frosting trees with shredded coconut. It creates a magical, wintry appearance with no extra effort.

Discover great ideas like apple cake pops recipe for more fun holiday bites to complement your brownie trees.

Serving Suggestions for Holiday Entertaining

Plating your brownie tree forest beautifully

When serving these Brownie Cups Christmas Tree bites, presentation is everything. Arrange them in a circular or spiral formation on a white platter to resemble a forest. Add a dusting of powdered sugar for a “snowy” effect or tuck in sprigs of rosemary for a rustic holiday vibe.

Pairing with holiday drinks like hot cocoa or eggnog

Brownie bites pair beautifully with seasonal drinks. Serve them alongside:

Steaming mugs of hot cocoa
Classic or spiked eggnog
Peppermint mochas
Festive mocktails for the kids

They also shine on a dessert buffet with cookies, fudge, and candy bark.

Planning a cookie exchange or dessert gift box? These brownie trees are the perfect addition. Their height and color contrast well with flat cookies and bars, adding visual interest and festive flair.

Don’t miss our ruler rice krispies recipe if you’re putting together a playful assortment!

Frequently Asked Questions About Brownie Cups Christmas Tree

Can I make these brownie cups in advance?

Yes! You can bake the brownie base up to 2 days ahead. Store them in an airtight container and frost just before serving. Frosted bites can also be stored for up to 5 days if refrigerated.

What kind of frosting holds best on brownie bites?

A stiff buttercream is your best bet. It holds its shape, sets well, and can be piped tall without collapsing. Avoid whipped or cream cheese frosting unless you’re serving immediately.

How do I store leftovers without ruining the frosting?

Place the brownie cups in a single layer inside an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with wax paper. Store in a cool spot or the refrigerator.

Can I use homemade brownies instead of a box mix?

Absolutely. Just ensure your recipe yields a moist, dense crumb and doesn’t include add-ins like nuts or caramel that may affect the piping structure.

Final Thoughts on Making Brownie Cups Christmas Tree

Why these treats are worth adding to your holiday baking list

These Brownie Cups Christmas Tree bites are cute, crowd-pleasing, and easy to make with minimal effort. They’re adaptable to different skill levels and make your dessert table shine.

Easy enough for beginners, cute enough for Pinterest

Whether you’re new to baking or a holiday pro, this recipe delivers guaranteed results. A box mix, a piping bag, and some imagination are all you need to whip up a tray of edible joy.

Looking for inspiration? Try our Christmas cranberry roll-ups recipe to round out your holiday spread with savory and sweet harmony.

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