Restless Chipotle

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×
Home » Recipes » Christmas Cookies Recipes

Vanilla Christmas Brownies

Published: Dec 10, 2023 · Updated: Nov 21, 2024 by Marye

Easy vanilla Christmas tree brownies recipe is so cute for holiday parties and it's so easy even the kids can help decorate the festive bars!
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 40 minutes minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Close up of decorated brownies.
Vanilla brownies with text overlay for Pinterest.

Chewy and sweet, there's nothing "plain vanilla" about these easy bar cookies. They're so cute for the holiday season!

Overhead view of brownies cut and decorated to look like Christmas trees.
Easy Christmas tree brownies are so pretty when decorated for the holidays.
Table of Contents
  • 🗝️ Key takeaways
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥄 Equipment
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 💭 Tips
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Vanilla Christmas Tree Brownies
  • 💬 Comments

🗝️ Key takeaways

  • All the chewy goodness of your favorite chocolate brownie recipe but with rich vanilla flavor.
  • These festive treats are so cute for any holiday party.
  • Toasting the pecans before using gives these extra buttery flavor.

This vanilla brownie recipe is for all of you vanilla lovers out there! So much vanilla flavor in a chewy "brownie"!

They freeze well unfrosted, too!

🧾 Ingredients

Technically this is a white chocolate brownie since the base is white chocolate but since the flavor is pure, intense vanilla we're calling them vanilla brownies!

Ingredients for this recipe.

📖 Variations

There are plenty of ways to change these up.

  • Make these with any favorite brownie recipe or boxed brownie mix.
  • Use walnuts or macadamia nuts instead of pecans.
  • Add mini chocolate chips.
  • Cut in star shapes or any holiday shape you prefer - or even just squares! They'e especially pretty cut into hearts for Valentine's Day
  • Add chopped, candied cherries or candied orange peel.
  • Add ¼ teaspoon almond extract and use chopped almonds instead of pecans for an almond vanilla brownie recipe.
  • Make a candy cane trunk by breaking off the curved part of the candy cane and pushing the straight part into the bottom of the tree.

🔪 Instructions

Easy cookie bars are delicious anytime but especially pretty decorated for Christmas! The full instructions for this Christmas brownies recipe are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step by step images for mixing the brownie batter.
  1. Melt butter and white chocolate chips together as directed in recipe below.
  2. Stir until smooth.
  3. Add the pecans and flour mixture to the white chocolate mixture.
  4. Pour into prepared pans and bake. They're done when a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean with maybe a few moist crumbs sticking to it.
Step by step images for cutting the brownies.

Perfect anytime but they're especially pretty cut, covered with vanilla frosting, and decorated to look like Christmas trees.

  1. Make the frosting in a mixing bowl and spread on the cooled brownies.
  2. Cut horizontally in 3 parts.
  3. Cut triangles to resemble Christmas trees.
  4. Decorate.

🥄 Equipment

You'll need the following items to make these easy Christmas brownies successfully.

  • 13x9-inch pan
  • sharp knife

🥫 Storage

Vanilla brownies can be covered with plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container and stored at room temperature for 4 days or so. After that they lose their chewy texture.

If you are placing them in a container put parchment paper or waxed paper between the layers.

They also freeze well unfrosted. Place in a freezer container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

If you put them in a container in layers please put parchment paper between the layers.

Side view of brownie showing texture.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: White vanilla baking chips burn easily. Be sure to melt them over low heat and stir often. You can also melt them at 50% power in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.

  • White chocolate chips or vanilla baking chips as they are sometimes called, are not the same as the candy coating (candy melts). Be sure to use white chocolate.
  • Make sure the dry ingredients are well mixed before adding them.
  • For chewy brownies remove the pan from the oven when the brownies register 165° to 185° with an instant read thermometer.
  • For cakey brownies the temperature should be between 190° and 210°.
  • If the white chocolate clumps up and turns hard while you are melting it you'll have to start over with new chocolate. Be careful that the pan or bowl is completely dry and everything is done on a low temperature.
  • Toasting the pecans will give them more buttery flavor.
  • If you're making a cookie platter use the idea behind these Halloween Rice Krispie Treats but decorate them for the holidays.

Get recipes to your inbox! Join the FREE membership group and get kitchen organizer packet ($9.99 value) as our gift.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Are these vanilla brownies like vanilla blondies?

Not really. They have a flavor that is distinct and different from blondies.

I am allergic to nuts, can I omit the pecans?

Sure! These are delicious without the nuts and the texture is even more chewy and decadent.

Closeup of a decorated brownie.

📚 Related recipes

Who doesn't love a delicious bar cookie?

This white Texas sheet cake is sort of a cross between a cake and bar cookie.

  • Close up of holiday decorated snickerdoodle cookie bars.
    Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
  • Closeup of polar bear cookies on a cookie sheet.
    Christmas Polar Bear Cookies
  • Closeup of cinnamon crinkle cookies that have been decorated for the holidays.
    Chewy Cinnamon Cookies
  • A collage of different Christmas cookies from this post.
    91 Best Christmas Cookies

🍽️ Serve with...

I love these pretty vanilla brownies on a cookie tray during the holidays. Arrange them along with -

  • Santa's Whiskers Cookies
  • Chocolate covered cherry cookies
  • m&m's Cookies
  • Sugar Cookies
  • Rolo Cookies

📞 The last word

This is such an easy recipe but the results are nothing short of spectacular.

It's a great way to let kids help with preparations for the Christmas party or cookie exchange. They can do the decorating while you move on to something else on your endless to-do list.

Cut them as cute Christmas tree brownies during the holidays, hearts for Valentine's Day... there are so many ways to serve these!

If you're looking for chocolate then these are the best brownies ever.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Close up of decorated brownies.

Vanilla Christmas Tree Brownies

5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Easy vanilla Christmas tree brownies recipe is so cute for holiday parties and it's so easy even the kids can help decorate the festive bars!
Course Bar cookies
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings:24
Calories:199
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 ½ cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup pecans, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs

Glaze

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream, may need a touch more

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Grease and flour 13x9-inch pan or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside
  • Heat butter and white chocolate chips in a large pot over low heat, just until melted. You can also melt it in a large bowl in the microwave. Either way stir it often - mixture may appear curdled when it's done.
  • Remove from heat and let cool.
  • Stir in remaining brownie ingredients until well blended.
  • Pour batter in pan and use an offset spatula or knife to spread evenly.
  • Bake 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven - until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or the brownies register between 165° and 210° on an instant read thermometer. The lower temperature will result in very chewy brownies and the higher temperature in a more cakey brownie.
  • Cool completely.

Frosting

  • Mix all glaze ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth and spreadable.
  • Spread glaze over brownies with a knife or a small offset spatula.

Christmas Trees

  • Cut the vanilla brownies horizontally in 3 parts.
  • Cut slanted lines to create triangle "Christmas trees". See image in post above.
  • Decorate with sprinkles as desired.

Notes

Expert Tip: White vanilla baking chips burn easily. Be sure to melt them over low heat and stir often. You can also melt them at 50% power in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds.
  • White chocolate chips or vanilla baking chips as they are sometimes called, are not the same as the candy coating (candy melts). Be sure to use white chocolate.
  • For chewy brownies remove the pan from the oven when the brownies register 165° to 185° with an instant read thermometer.
  • For cakey brownies the temperature should be between 190° and 210°.
  • If the white chocolate clumps up and turns hard while you are melting it you'll have to start over with new chocolate. Be careful that the pan or bowl is completely dry and everything is done on a low temperature.
  • Toasting the pecans will give them more buttery flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 161IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

First published Novemeber 29, 2021. Last updated December 10, 2023 for readability and editorial improvements.

More Christmas Cookies Recipes

  • Raspberry thumbprint cookies drizzled with white chocolate stacked on a plate.
    Raspberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies
  • Closeup of Christmas thumbprint cookies with red and green filling.
    Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
  • A cornflakes wreath cookie on a white plate.
    Cornflake Christmas Wreath Cookie
  • Overhead view of decorated holiday Hawaiian shortbread cookies on a tray.
    Hawaiian Shortbread Cookies

Love it? Share it!

301 shares
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard

About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    5 from 1 vote

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Nicol Huff says

    July 30, 2024 at 1:21 am

    5 stars
    Sounds delicious.

    Reply
  2. Yvonne Huskisson says

    April 23, 2023 at 9:49 am

    Do you put all brownie ingredients into the melted chocolate chips? It kinda sounded like you do . I deciddd not to. Just iced brownies after they were done.

    Reply
    • Marye says

      April 24, 2023 at 10:08 am

      Yes you do - just follow the instructions.

      Reply
  3. Lorraine says

    December 03, 2021 at 10:05 am

    I tried your recipe for Vanilla Brownies and followed your recipe
    They were glued to my jelly roll pan, and I was so disappointed.
    Could you tell me what might have gone wrong?

    Reply
    • Marye says

      December 03, 2021 at 10:58 am

      Did you grease and flour the pan as instructed? It sounds like you forgot or didn't get enough on there?

      Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

Find out more

🍉 Summer Cookouts

  • Overhead view of potato salad in a glass bowl
    Mom's Homemade Potato Salad
  • Overhead view of the finished watermelon basket filled with an assortment of fruit.
    How to Make a Watermelon Basket
  • Closeup of a finished hamburger in a bun.
    Retro Lipton Onion Soup Burger (Vintage Recipe)
  • Closeup of a star shaped cake covered in white chocolate with red and blue sprinkles.
    Zebra Cake Recipe: Little Debbie Copycat

🫖 Picklefork Stories

Picklefork town crest.
Click here to visit Picklefork

👑 Reader Favorites

  • Square overhead of chicken for feature image.
    Crockpot Angel Chicken
  • Close up of the sauce showing the creamy texture.
    Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe
  • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
    Crispy Fried Potatoes in a Cast Iron Skillet (Southern Style)
  • Blue cocktail with a red and white straw.
    Sex in the Driveway Cocktail
  • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
    Easy English Muffin Bread – No Knead, Perfect for Toasting!
  • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
    No-Fail Amish White Bread

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Marye Audet-White
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Contact
MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

Featured In:

Places Restless Chipotle has been featured

We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. Our privacy statement has more details.

Copyright ©2006 - 2025 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC

Picklefork Tales Copyright ©2025 Marye Audet, Restless Chipotle Media

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.