12 Days of Christmas Cookies: Christmas Tree Brownies

by Elizabeth on December 8, 2011 · 7 comments

in christmas cookies, recipes, watch me bake

We’ve talked about how I’m not really creative or artsy right?  How I tend to mess up more crafts than I actually make?  In case you missed that, I’m not crafty.  AT ALL.  I can’t sew or draw, I get more hot glue on myself than I do whatever I’m gluing, and once I got frosting all over myself, the table, and the cat.

Not.  Crafty.

But somehow that didn’t stop me from trying to make most of my Christmas presents this year.  (I’m so behind.  Let’s not talk about that.)  And making, frosting, and decorating 4 dozen cupcakes for two parties.  And from making this candle.

And for attempting to make these brownies.  I blame it all on Pinterest.  It makes want to be crafty.  And for some reason I keep trying.  I think these actually turned okay.  These three are the best of the lot, but they were all different and I used a variety of sprinkles and toppings.  This really isn’t even a recipe; more “make some brownies then decorate them”.

Here’s how I did it:

I used a box of brownie mix (the kind that bakes best in an 8×8 or 9×9 pan) and the ingredients it called for on the box.  I mixed up the batter and poured it into a greased 9 inch round cake pan.  I baked it at the recommended temperature for 40-42 minutes, when a toothpick came out mostly clean.  I cooled it completely in the pan and then turned the brownie out onto a cutting board.

I cut the brownie in half, and then each half into six even pieces.  I trimmed the edges off the ends so they were more straight then round.  Then I gathered my supplies:

  • mini candy canes that I broke the curved end off
  • frosting that I tinted green
  • my piping bag and tips because I don’t trust myself with just a spatula and a plastic bag with a hole in the end
  • a variety of sprinkles and decorations – I used what I had on hand, so feel free to experiment and get creative!

I stuck the broken end of the candy cane into the bottom of the “tree”, then frosted and decorated each one.

I’m totally turning into some kind of crazed librarian/Martha Stewart.  Help!

 

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Cate December 8, 2011 at 9:37 am

Um, these are adorable! I’m hopeless at decorating cookies and candies…but even I might be able to handle these.

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2 Elizabeth December 8, 2011 at 1:03 pm

You totally could. Super super easy. Especially since I used store bought frosting and didn’t spend an hour cleaning up powdered sugar that got all over me and the floor.

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3 Amber December 8, 2011 at 10:02 am

Too cute! I know that you can’t post your handmade gifts here (because the gift recipients may read your blog) but I would love if you would e-mail me what you did. I’m looking for some homemade gift ideas.

P.S. I sent you a b-day card, but I put it in campus mail 2 days ago, so I’m not sure if it will get to you today or tomorrow or weeks from now, but I wanted you to know that there is one coming! Love you!

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4 Reese December 8, 2011 at 2:42 pm

I would totally eat these. The middle frosted one looks positively scrumptious. I think you don’t give yourself enough credit in the decorating side of the things!

BTW: Did I ever hear what happened with you, Caty and frosting? ;p

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5 Elizabeth December 11, 2011 at 6:43 pm

No, I never told you. I was making buttercream for some cupcakes for a party, and I kept flinging stuff out of the bowl. Of course, Caty was underfoot trying to see what was going on, so she ended up with powdered sugar and frosting on her. I had it all over me too.

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6 Allison L. December 10, 2011 at 5:05 pm

Um, it looks like you are pretty darn good at crafty to me! Excellent job!
Also, Mmmmmm… brownies.

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7 christine December 14, 2011 at 8:06 pm

these are precious! i’m totally doing these when i get home!

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