Christmas Tree Brownies

Oh brownie tree, oh brownie tree, how tasty are your branches!

Makes 8 servings

Brownies:
1 package Betty Crocker Supreme chocolate chunk brownie mix
3 tablespoons water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
Candy-coated chocolate candies
8 pretzel nuggets

Vanilla Butter Frosting:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
3 or 4 drops green food color

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease bottom only of round pan, 9 x 1 1/2 inches, with shortening. Make brownie mix as directed on package, using water, oil and eggs. Pour into pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

2. In medium bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar and vanilla extract with spoon until smooth. Stir in milk until spreadable. Stir in food color. Spread frosting evenly over brownies.

3. To serve, cut into 8 wedges. Decorate wedges with candies to look like Christmas tree lights. Center pretzel nugget on bottom edge of each brownie wedge for tree trunk.

Nutrition Information: 1 Serving: Calories 700 (Calories from Fat 280); Total Fat 31g (Saturated Fat 11g, Trans Fat ncg); Cholesterol 85mg; Sodium 300mg; Total Carbohydrate 102g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars ncg); Protein 4g

Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 10%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 6%; Iron 12%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Variation
Bake brownies as directed on package in square or rectangular pan. Make frosting, adding 1 teaspoon mint extract. Cut brownies into squares, and decorate with foil-wrapped rectangular chocolate mints, unwrapped and chopped.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Betty Crocker 2007/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved