These spiced Christmas tree brownies are certainly ready for the Christmas party season. Infused with warm, seasonal spices, they will bring a true festive feel to the buffet table. Make and lay out for your Christmas or New Year celebrations or wrap up and gift to friends and family. You can even get the children involved with the decorating too!

View our full collection of festive feasting recipes here.

Ready in: 1.5 hours

Makes: 12

Ingredients

150g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
150g unsalted butter
3 large eggs
125g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Zest and juice of 1 clementine
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
A few grating of nutmeg
100g plain flour
¼ tsp baking powder

To decorate
Icing sugar and food colourings / coloured writing icing / melted chocolate
Sprinkles, such as stars etc.
6 red/green and white striped paper straws

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease and line the base rectangular brownie tin.

2. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring until smooth. Once melted, remove from the heat, set aside and leave to cool for around 20 minutes.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, caster sugar and vanilla extract together until light and creamy. Next, add the clementine zest, juice and spices and stir until just combined.

4. Sift the flour into a separate bowl, along with the baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt. Pour the chocolate mixture into the beaten eggs and mix until combined, then fold through the flour mix until there is no flour visible.

5. Tip the brownie mix into the prepared tin and bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes. It should be set on top and slightly gooey in the centre. Leave the brownie to cool in the tin completely before removing.

6. Cut the brownie into 12 triangular tree-shaped wedges and then decorate by drizzling the icing or melted chocolate in a zigzag pattern and scattering with sprinkles. Cut the straws in half and push into the base of the brownie to create a tree trunk. Leave the decorations to set before serving.