Easy Chocolate Brownie "Pine Cones" Recipe Went Viral On TikTok by Jan Mostrom

The holidays just got a bit more fun and sweet! I saw these brownie bites that look like pine cones on TikTok (they went viral!) and just had to try to make them. I enlisted the help of a young teen I adore and we had so much fun making these brownie pine cones. It takes a bit of time, but it was a really fun activity that is both chocolatey goodness and a fun holiday decoration you can eat!

These chocolate pine cones are simple to make, but make such a great impression on your guests. (Don't tell them how easy they were to make!) Plus, they don't require a lot of ingredients. Here's your short and sweet shopping list: a box of brownie mix, a bag of chocolate chips, coconut oil, sliced almonds and optional powdered sugar. (The powdered sugar makes them look snow kissed.)

Use these sweet low-sodium pine cones to decorate your Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert table or serve them for dessert after the big meal. Either way, you can't go wrong!

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Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes plus time to freeze
Cook Time: 35 to 40 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours (approximately)
Servings: 8 to 10

Ingredients

• 1 box (18 ounces) brownie mix, plus ingredients to make them
• 1 bag (12 ounces) chocolate chips (semisweet, dark or white)
• 1 - 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• sliced almonds
• powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Helpful Products

• Parchment Paper
• Measuring Spoons
• Baking Sheet
• Rubber Spatula
• Mixing Bowl
• Airtight Containers

Recipe Notes

• I used gluten-free and regular brownie mix and found the gluten-free (from Trader Joe's) to be easier to work with and no one even knew it was gluten-free!

• If you have nut allergies, you can use a flaked cereal to make the scales. You will need to be extra gentle so you don't break the cereal, and you might want to make the chocolate a bit thinner with coconut oil so as to not weigh down or break the flakes.

• If you are concerned about under-cooking brownies that contain eggs, you can always use an egg substitute.

Here's how to make it: 

1. Combine all the brownie ingredients according to package directions.
   
2. Bake at recommended temperature, making sure to under-bake the brownies to keep them gooey in the middle. (If you overcook they won't easily form into the cones.)
   
3. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes or until you can just handle them easily.
   
4. Place a piece of parchment on a plate or baking sheet. Cut a thin border off the outside edge of the brownies and then begin forming your "pine cones" with the inside brownies. I made eight pine cones.
   
5. Place the almonds around the pine cones to create the scales. I worked from the bottom up. Go gently and put the pointed side of the almond facing out. Place the pine cones in the freezer to cool for 20 minutes.
   
6. At about 15 minutes into the cooling process begin melting your chocolate by placing your chips into a microwave-safe bowl with 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. (The oil thins the chocolate and allows it to be pliable enough to dip without being too thick.) Melt the chocolate in 40-second intervals until it is melted and thin enough to dip the pine cones.
   
7. Remove the pine cones from the freezer. Use a large serving fork and place the pine cone into the chocolate mixture and use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over the top. If the chocolate seems too thick just add another 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, microwave for 30 seconds, stir and try again. (My first cone was quite thick so the scales weren't very visible so I just added more oil and the chocolate was much easier to work with.) Gently place the cone on parchment and continue the process until they are all completed. If you'd like, sprinkle them with powdered sugar. Let rest in an area away from heat to let the chocolate set.
   
   
8. Enjoy the pine cones or store them in an airtight container for two to three days in the refrigerator or on counter away from heat and sun.
   

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 642

Total Fat: 37.8g

Saturated Fat: 22.5g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 8mg

Total Carbohydrate: 79.4g

Dietary Fiber: 7g

Total Sugars: 60.9g

Protein: 1.1g

Vitamin D: 0mcg

Calcium: 13mg

Iron: 0mg

Potassium: 35mg

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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