Fudge Brownie Trees

crazycookinmama's Note:

These are so cute, they were a hit at church, and they're super fun to make with the kids.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1.5 Dozen

• 1 1/2 cups butter, melted, plus
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted, divided
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup melted chocolate chips
• christmas candy sprinkles

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F Line a 13x9 inch baking pan with foil. Brush foil with 1 tablespoon melted butter; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine remaining melted butter and cocoa powder. Using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat sugar, eggs and vanilla into the cocoa mixture until well combined. Stir flour and salt into cocoa mixture until thoroughly combined. Spread mixture into prepared pan.
3. Bake brownies until a toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean, 35-40 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Lift uncut bars from pan using foil and place on a flat work surface. Using the tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut out tree shapes, inverting the cutter every other time to minimize waste.
5. Place melted chocolate into a reseable plastic bag; snip off 1 corner. Pipe melted chocolate in a zigzag design on top of trees; top with christmas sprinkles.