What better way to celebrate the holiday time than these Protein Christmas Tree Brownies? They capture the spirit of the season and are so fun to put together, especially with your family, kids, or friends!

Just a Lil Twist

Let’s dive into the magic of these brownies. The secret ingredient? Protein powder, almond flour, and a hint of cocoa make for a healthier base without compromising that rich, chocolatey flavor. These brownies will satisfy your sweet cravings one bite at a time!

Crafting Your Christmas Trees

Creating these festive delights is a breeze! Here are some expert tips to ensure your brownies turn out picture-perfect:

1. Preparation is Key: Gather your ingredients and tools before diving in. This helps maintain a smooth baking process.
2. Proper Mixing: Ensure your wet and dry ingredients are well combined separately before mixing them together. This guarantees an even texture throughout the brownie batter.
3. Baking Time: Keep an eye on your brownies as they bake. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few crumbs, indicating they’re perfectly done.
4. Cutting Shapes: When cutting the brownies into triangles, use a sharp knife and a ruler for precise and even shapes.
5. Frosting Magic: To minimize mess and add a touch of elegance, use a piping bag or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off to pipe the frosting onto your brownie trees.

Mess-Free Frosting Magic

Ah, the frosting! The crowning glory of these Christmas trees. Here are some fuss-free frosting tips:

1. Consistency Matters: Ensure your frosting is at the right consistency—smooth and spreadable. Add a bit of milk or powdered sugar to adjust as needed.
2. Piping Perfection: Opt for a piping bag or a makeshift one using a ziplock bag. This allows for more control when decorating your brownies.
3. Easy Cleanup: To avoid a messy workstation, place your brownies on a wire rack with a baking tray underneath when frosting. Any drips or excess frosting can be easily cleaned from the tray later.
4. Chill for Stability: For cleaner lines and stability, chill your brownies in the fridge after cutting them into triangles before frosting.

Embrace Creativity

These brownies are a canvas for your creativity! Add a sprinkle of festive joy with colored sprinkles, or go wild with edible glitter for that extra sparkle.

Zero Waste: Brownie Bites and Cake Pops

Brownie Bites: Don’t let a single crumb go to waste. Roll those leftover bits into small spheres, dust them with powdered sugar or cocoa powder, and voilà! You’ve got delectable brownie bites that make for a delightful snack or a sweet addition to your holiday dessert spread.

Cake Pops: Feeling a bit more adventurous? Transform those brownie morsels into cake pops! Crumble the brownie scraps, mix them with a touch of frosting, roll them into small balls, insert a stick, and dip them in melted chocolate. These little treats on sticks will surely delight both kids and adults alike.

Print

Christmas Tree Brownies

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Assembly Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 9

Ingredients

For the Brownies

• 2 cups almond flour can substitute with oat flour
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup chocolate protein powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup coconut oil melted
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

For the Frosting:

• 8 oz light cream cheese room temperature
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring green recommended

For Assembly

• Candy canes using stems only
• Sprinkles

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
• Combine the almond flour, cocoa powder, chocolate protein powder, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly.
• In another bowl, mix the applesauce, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
• Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until thoroughly combined. Fold in the dark chocolate chips.
• Transfer the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few crumbs sticking.
• While the brownies cool, prepare a doubled batch of frosting by combining the doubled amounts of light cream cheese, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and food coloring (green is suggested) in a bowl. Mix until smooth.
• To create tree-shaped brownies, cut the cooled brownies down the middle and then cut out triangle shapes.
• Place a candy cane stem at the bottom center of each brownie triangle to form a "tree."
• Decorate the brownie trees with the prepared frosting and add sprinkles for a festive touch.

Notes

For an easy frosting experience, add into a plastic sandwich bag and cut tip off. Use like a piping bag. Make many colors and make it a decorating party with family and friends!