Viral Christmas Tree Brownies: The Festive Dessert Taking Over Social Media
Halloween decorations are barely packed away, but social media has already moved on to Christmas, and one dessert is leading the charge: Christmas tree brownies. These fudgy brownie wedges, frosted green and decorated like little holiday trees, are popping up all over TikTok and Instagram. They’re cute, easy and perfect for holiday parties, which is exactly why everyone seems to be making them.
How Big Is the Trend?
The numbers are impressive. According to Fast Company, festive cookie, brownie and pastry videos have drawn around 43.1 million views since 18 October, with more than 784 creators sharing their own recipes and versions. Google searches for holiday recipes also jumped by 285% in late October. One Instagram video alone has racked up more than 15.2 million views since it was posted on 18 October. It shows a creator baking brownies in a round pan, slicing them into triangles and decorating each one to look like a tiny Christmas tree. Social media analysis also found that most reactions to the early holiday baking trend have been positive.
Why Everyone Loves Them
Christmas tree brownies hit the sweet spot between impressive and easy. The round-pan trick is the secret: when you slice a round brownie into wedges, each piece naturally forms a triangle, so there’s no need for cookie cutters or tricky shaping. They’re also a fun nod to Little Debbie Christmas Tree Brownies, a nostalgic holiday snack many people grew up with. And because decorating them is half the fun, they’re a great baking project for kids.
How to Make Viral Christmas Tree Brownies
Makes: 8 large brownie trees
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 25 to 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the brownies:
- 115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 200 g (1 cup) caster or granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 40 g (⅓ cup) cocoa powder
- 65 g (½ cup) plain flour
- ¼ tsp salt
For the frosting and decorations:
- 115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 240 g (2 cups) icing sugar
- 1 to 2 tbsp milk
- Green food colouring
- Holiday sprinkles or mini sweets for ornaments
- Mini candy canes or pretzel sticks for trunks
- Small star sprinkles for the treetops (optional)
Shortcut option: Use one box of your favourite brownie mix and a tub of ready-made vanilla frosting tinted green.
Instructions
- Prepare the pan. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 20 cm (8-inch) round cake pan and line the bottom with baking paper.
- Mix the batter. Whisk the melted butter and sugar together until glossy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Sift in the cocoa, flour and salt, and stir gently until just combined.
- Bake. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the edges are set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely. Let the brownies cool in the pan, then chill for 30 minutes. Cold brownies slice much more cleanly.
- Make the frosting. Beat the softened butter until creamy, then add the icing sugar and milk. Mix until smooth and tint it green with food colouring.
- Cut into trees. Turn the brownie out onto a board and cut it into 8 even wedges, like a pizza.
- Decorate. Pipe green frosting in a zigzag pattern across each wedge to look like garland. Add sprinkles as ornaments and a star on top.
- Add the trunks. Press a short piece of candy cane or pretzel stick into the wide end of each wedge to form the tree trunk.
Ways to Cut and Shape Them
| Method | Pan | How to Cut | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round-pan wedges (viral method) | 20 cm round pan | Slice into 8 wedges like a pizza | Big, eye-catching trees |
| Sheet-pan triangles | 23 × 33 cm (9 × 13-inch) pan | Cut strips, then cut each strip into triangles | Feeding a crowd |
| Cookie cutter trees | Any rectangular pan | Press out shapes with a tree cutter | Neat, uniform shapes |
| Brownie bites | Mini muffin tin | Pipe frosting into a tall swirl on top | Bite-sized party treats |
Easy Decorating Ideas
- Snowy trees: Dust the finished brownies lightly with icing sugar.
- Peppermint twist: Add crushed candy canes to the frosting for a minty crunch.
- White chocolate drizzle: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the green frosting for a snow-like effect.
- Kid-friendly station: Set out bowls of sprinkles and mini sweets so kids can decorate their own trees.
How to Store Them
Store the decorated brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Add the candy cane trunks just before serving if you’re making them ahead, as candy canes can soften in the fridge.
Christmas tree brownies prove that the best holiday trends are often the simplest. With a round pan, some green frosting and a handful of sprinkles, you can turn an everyday brownie into a festive showstopper. Whether you’re baking for a party, a cookie exchange or just for fun, this is one viral trend worth jumping on early.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are Christmas tree brownies trending?
They’re easy, festive and look great on camera. A viral Instagram video showing round brownies cut into tree-shaped wedges has drawn more than 15 million views, inspiring many home bakers to try them.
2. Can I use a boxed brownie mix?
Yes. A boxed mix works perfectly and makes the recipe even quicker. Just bake it in a round pan and follow the same decorating steps.
3. How do I get clean cuts on my brownies?
Let the brownies cool completely, then chill them for about 30 minutes. Use a large sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts.
4. Can I make Christmas tree brownies ahead of time?
Yes. Bake and cut the brownies up to 2 days ahead, then decorate them on the day you plan to serve them for the freshest look.
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