If you’re looking for a festive treat that will light up your holiday gathering, the Easy & Cute Holiday Brownie Trees and Beverages Recipe is an absolute must-try. Imagine rich, fudgy brownies shaped into charming Christmas trees, Santa hats, and reindeer faces, all topped with colorful buttercream frosting and whimsical candy decorations. Plus, pairing these delightful treats with cozy holiday beverages completes the celebration with warmth and cheer. This recipe brings together simplicity, festive fun, and incredible flavor that will have everyone smiling from the first bite to the last sip.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A white round plate holds eight triangular chocolate brownie slices arranged in a circle on a white marbled surface. Four slices are decorated with green frosting textured like a Christmas tree, topped with small colorful round and rod-shaped sprinkles in red, yellow, white, and orange. Three slices have red frosting shaped like a Santa hat with white round dollops along the bottom edge and at the tip. One slice is decorated with smooth brown frosting resembling a reindeer face, with two small pretzels as antlers, two white candy eyes, and a small red candy nose. In the bottom left corner, a white and plaid red scarf lies partly on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of the Easy & Cute Holiday Brownie Trees and Beverages Recipe lies in the straightforward yet thoughtful ingredients. Each element plays a part in building that perfect balance of rich chocolate, creamy sweetness, and festive color that makes these treats so irresistible.

1 pkg brownie mix: Your base for rich, fudgy brownies that hold their shape perfectly for decorating.
1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature): Crucial for creating that luscious, smooth buttercream frosting.
3-4 cups powdered sugar: Adds the sweetness and structure to your frosting, adjust for your preferred firmness.
3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk: Keeps the frosting creamy and easy to spread or pipe.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste: A small touch that brings warmth and depth to the frosting flavor.
1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness for a more rounded taste.
Food coloring (red, brown, green): Essential for transforming your frosting into festive hues.
Assorted holiday sprinkles: Adds that joyful sparkle and texture to your decorated brownies.
Red M&Ms: Perfect for Rudolph’s iconic red nose.
Candy eyeballs: Brings your reindeer brownies to life with playful charm.

How to Make Easy & Cute Holiday Brownie Trees and Beverages Recipe

Step 1: Bake Your Brownies

Start by preparing your brownies according to the instructions on the box. Use a 9-inch round baking pan lined with parchment paper and lightly coated with cooking spray to ensure easy removal. Baking in a round pan is key to getting those perfect triangular “tree” slices once you cut them.

Step 2: Make the Buttercream Frosting

While your brownies cool, whip up the buttercream. Beat 1 cup of room temperature butter in a large bowl until it turns smooth and creamy, which takes about two minutes. Gradually add 3 cups powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and salt. Mix on low, then increase speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light, fluffy, and spreadable. If it’s too soft, add more powdered sugar a bit at a time until you reach the perfect consistency for decorating.

Step 3: Color and Divide the Frosting

Divide the frosting into four bowls. Add a few drops of red, green, and brown food coloring to three separate bowls, mixing until you get festive shades. Keep the last bowl white for trimming and extra decoration.

Step 4: Slice and Shape Your Brownies

Cut the cooled brownies into 8 triangle-shaped wedges like slicing a pie. Each wedge becomes the perfect base for your holiday-themed brownie trees and characters.

Step 5: Decorate Your Brownie Trees and More

For Christmas trees, spread or pipe the green frosting over the triangular brownie base, then shower with assorted holiday sprinkles to mimic garlands and ornaments. For Santa hats, use red frosting over most of the wedge, leaving the tip and bottom edge without frosting, then pipe white frosting along the bottom to create the brim and add a white pom-pom at the tip. For adorable reindeer, cover the brownie with brown frosting, attach candy eyeballs, and stick a red M&M at the tip for Rudolph’s bright nose.

How to Serve Easy & Cute Holiday Brownie Trees and Beverages Recipe

A white round plate holds eight triangular brownie slices decorated with colorful frosting and sprinkles. Four slices have bright green frosting shaped like Christmas trees, textured with wavy lines, and topped with small red, white, yellow, and green round and candy-shaped sprinkles. Three slices are covered in smooth red frosting shaped like Santa hats with white fluffy borders along the bottom edge and a white pompom at the pointed tip. One slice is decorated with brown frosting textured with lines to look like reindeer fur, with two small white candy eyes, a red candy nose, and two small round pretzels as antlers on top. The plate sits on a white marbled surface near a red and beige cloth with fringes. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Adding a little extra magic with garnishes makes your treats even more festive. Fresh peppermint sticks, a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect, or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can elevate the look and flavor of your holiday brownie trees and beverages.

Side Dishes

Pair the brownies with warm beverages like spiced hot chocolate, cinnamon-infused coffee, or a creamy vanilla chai latte. Offering a side of fresh fruit skewers or crunchy nut assortments helps balance the sweet richness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Presentation makes all the difference in holiday treat success. Arrange your brownie trees on decorative platters tucked beside mugs of steaming beverages. Use festive plates, holiday-themed cupcake liners, or even mini wooden crates to give your display a charming seasonal feel that invites everyone to indulge.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to keep them fresh and moist. Make sure to separate layers with parchment paper so the decorations don’t get damaged.

Freezing

You can freeze uncut brownies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to three months. For best results, decorate the brownies after thawing so your frosting decorations stay bright and intact.

Reheating

If you prefer a warm treat, gently reheat slices in a microwave for about 10 seconds just before serving. Avoid overheating to keep the frosting from melting away and to preserve that signature fudge texture.

FAQs

Can I use homemade brownies for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade brownies work wonderfully as long as they have a sturdy texture to hold the frosting and toppings. Just be sure they are fully cooled before cutting and decorating.

What if I don’t have candy eyeballs or M&Ms?

No worries! You can substitute with chocolate chips for eyes and red jelly beans or small red candies for Rudolph’s nose. Get creative with what you have in your candy stash.

Can I make the frosting dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use coconut milk or almond milk for the cream. The frosting might take a bit longer to firm up but still tastes delicious.

How far in advance can I prepare the brownies and frosting?

You can bake the brownies a day ahead and store them tightly wrapped. Make the frosting the same day you plan to decorate so it stays soft and easy to work with.

What holiday beverages pair best with these brownies?

Classic hot chocolate, mulled cider, spiced coffee, and peppermint lattes are all fantastic choices. They complement the rich chocolate and sweet frosting beautifully while enhancing the festive atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Easy & Cute Holiday Brownie Trees and Beverages Recipe enough for your next holiday gathering. It’s simple to make, looks absolutely adorable, and tastes like a holiday dream come true. Whether you’re baking with kids or impressing guests, this recipe turns seasonal treats into lasting memories. So, grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready to spread some serious holiday joy!