Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe
Category: Desserts
Serves: 10
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Dark chocolate | 200g |
| Butter | 175g |
| Unsweetened cocoa powder | 2 tablespoons |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Whole hazelnuts (peeled) | 60g |
| Fine salt | 1 pinch |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Granulated sugar | 200g |
| All-purpose flour (00 flour) | 100g |
| Lemon juice | A few drops |
| Egg whites | 1 |
| Powdered sugar | 150g |
| Food coloring | As needed |
| Extra powdered sugar | As needed |
| Colored sugar candies | As needed |
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 10g |
| Cholesterol | 50mg |
| Sodium | 50mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Sugars | 22g |
| Protein | 4g |
Instructions
Preparing the Brownie Base
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Melt Chocolate and Butter: Start by chopping the dark chocolate into small pieces. Melt the butter in a bain-marie over low heat. As the butter begins to melt, add the chocolate pieces. Stir in the cocoa powder and continue mixing until the mixture forms a smooth, thick cream. Once fully combined, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
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Whip Eggs and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or stand mixer to beat the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually pour in the cooled chocolate mixture, continuing to mix until combined.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt into a separate bowl. Mix to combine. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, one spoonful at a time, ensuring no lumps form.
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Add Hazelnuts: Roughly chop the hazelnuts on a cutting board and gently fold them into the batter.
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Bake the Brownie Base: Line a 20x28cm rectangular baking pan with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (static mode) for 20 minutes.
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Cool and Cut: Once baked, allow the brownie to rest in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing. After cooling completely, cut the brownie in half horizontally. Using a cookie cutter shaped like a Christmas tree, cut out 10 tree-shaped brownies. If you don’t have a cookie cutter, you can use a knife to cut the brownie into triangular shapes.
Decorating the Trees
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Prepare Royal Icing: Beat the egg white with powdered sugar and a few drops of lemon juice until you achieve a thick, glossy consistency. Divide the icing into two equal parts and color one half with green food coloring.
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Decorate the Trees: Use the icing to create zig-zag lines or outline the shape of the trees on the brownie surface. While the icing is still wet, place colored sugar candies to resemble ornaments.
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Add Sticks: Insert wooden sticks into the base of each brownie tree to make them easy to hold and serve.
Presentation Tip
Arrange the decorated Christmas Tree Brownies on a platter for a festive touch. Sprinkle additional powdered sugar over the trees for a snow-dusted effect.
Enjoy your delightful Christmas Tree Brownies, perfect for holiday celebrations or gifting!
