Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks/226g) unsalted butter
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
  • 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Green food coloring, as desired
  • Mini candy canes
  • Colorful sprinkles
  • Edible glitter, optional

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Prepare the Baking Pan: Grease and line the baking pan with parchment paper.
  3. Melt Butter: In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
  4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and granulated sugar until combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
  6. Combine Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a rubber spatula until just combined.
  7. Bake the Brownies: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool and Chill: Allow brownies to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for easier cutting.
  9. Cut into Shapes: Use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut the chilled brownies into festive shapes.
  10. Make the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth. Mix in vanilla and green food coloring.
  11. Decorate: Pipe frosting onto each brownie tree, and add candy canes, sprinkles, and edible glitter as desired.