CHRISTMAS BROWNIE TREES

Christmas Brownie Trees image

A simple brownie recipe becomes extra special with the addition of green frosting and candy. We bake the brownies in round cake pans to make cutting triangle shapes easy, with no trimmings or waste.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories dessert

Time 2h10m

Yield 16 pieces

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for greasing the pans
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Sixteen 1 1/2-inch pieces candy cane
White and gold sanding sugar and small non-pareil candy-covered chocolates, such as Sno-Caps, for decorating
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Pinch of fine salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 to 1/2 tablespoon whole milk
24 drops green food coloring
1 drop red food coloring

Steps:

For the brownies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of two 8-inch round cake pans. Cut two 8-inch circles out of parchment and line the bottoms of the cake pans with the parchment.
Stir together the butter, granulated sugar, vanilla and eggs in a medium bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips and divide the batter between the prepared pans, smoothing the tops. Bake until the brownies begin to gain a crust around the edges, pull away from the edge and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
Let the brownies cool fully in the pans on cooling racks, about 1 hour. Cut each circle into 8 equal triangles with a knife. Use a small offset spatula or pie server to lift each triangle out of the pan.
For the American buttercream frosting: Combine the confectioners' sugar, butter and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or in a large bowl if using a handheld electric mixer). Mix on low speed until mostly incorporated. Add the vanilla, increase the speed to medium-high and mix until smooth. Loosen the consistency with milk as desired. Add 24 drops green food coloring and 1 drop red food coloring and mix on medium speed for 1 minute. Set aside.
To assemble: Using the tip of a paring knife or a skewer, poke a small hole along the bottom edge of each brownie. Insert a candy cane "trunk" into each hole.
Fill the piping bag with the frosting and cut 1/4 inch off the tip. Using a zig-zag motion, pipe the frosting from the base to the tip of each tree. Decorate the trees with the sanding sugars and candy-covered chocolate, as desired.