Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats are as festive as they are fun! Shaped like sweet little evergreens, decorated with candy ornaments and a drizzle of white chocolate "garland," they're an easy, no-bake treat that brings big holiday cheer.
Whether you're making them with the kids or prepping for a cookie exchange, these cheerful little trees will steal the show-and probably disappear before Santa even gets a peek!
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What makes this recipe irresistible
They're crispy and gooey with that classic marshmallow-y crunch you know and love, but dressed up for the holidays in the cutest way possible! The green coloring makes them pop, and decorating them is just as fun as eating them.
Plus, they come together in just minutes, making them a holiday win in every way!!!
Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- 1 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 10 ounces. bag mini marshmallows
- 1 cup peanut butter divided use
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 8 ounces vanilla icing
- ¼ teaspoon green gel food coloring
- candy sprinkles
Instructions
- Generously grease a 13x9" baking dish with cooking spray, set aside.
- In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, mini marshmallows and ½ cup peanut butter together. Once melted, add the Rice Krispies, and stir well to evenly coat the cereal.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, and FIRMLY press the mixture into the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and remaining ½ cup peanut butter. Microwave at 30-second intervals until the chocolate is melted, and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the pressed Rice Krispies in the baking dish, and spread evenly using a spatula. Give the pan a little shake to further smooth the chocolate topping.
- Place the baking dish in the refrigerator for an hour (or in the freezer for 30 minutes) to allow the dessert to harden and set.
- Once set, remove the treats from the dish- in one whole piece. (It may be helpful to run a thin knife along the outer edge of the dessert to help it out.) Using a knife, cut the entire dessert in half, lengthways, then cut each half into triangles.
- Add the icing and gel food coloring to a small bowl, and mix well until there no more streaks. Transfer the icing to a piping bag that has been fitted with a tip. (Alternatively, you could transfer the icing to a plastic baggie, and cut a tiny piece of the corner from the bag.) Decorate. Pipe zigzag lines onto the triangles with the green icing creating trees, and garnish with sprinkles. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card for the exact measurements for this recipe.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
There are a couple of reasons this may have occurred. It is important to really press that Rice Krispies treat mixture into the pan- don't be scared! The more densely packed the treats are, the better they will hold together.
It is also necessary to allow the chocolate to completely harden. If the chocolate-peanut butter topping isn't fully set, removing and cutting the bars could prove difficult… and messy.
Natural peanut butter easily separates, and because of this, I do not recommend
using it for this particular recipe as it may cause the bars to fall apart.
You absolutely can! However, I only recommend using it in the Rice Krispies mixture and not for the topping. If you do decide to go with chunky peanut butter, increase the amount you add to the mixture from ½ c. to ¾ cup. Remember though, adding chunky peanut butter to the chocolate topping will make the bars lumpy and very difficult to decorate.
Deb's top tips
As an avid baker, when I'm working with a sticky mixtures like this, I've found it helpful to spray my hands (and even knives) with cooking spray. It makes such a difference!
🍪 Why these work great for cookie exchanges
These little trees are a total crowd-pleaser at cookie exchanges! They travel well, don't crumble, and stand out on the tray-no cookie cutters required. Plus, since they're nut-free and don't involve raw eggs, they're a safer option for group gatherings.
Make a big batch, wrap them up, and you've got an instant holiday hit.
Related recipes
If you're on a roll with sweets and festive fun, don't miss these other easy holiday treats:
- Santa's Whiskers Cookies - Buttery slice-and-bakes with festive red and green cherries.
- Chocolate Covered Cashews - Salty, sweet, and ridiculously simple.
- Pretzel M&M Hugs - A holiday classic with only three ingredients!
- Biscoff Fudge - Creamy, rich and packed with holiday spices!
Wrapping it up
Whether you're decking the halls or just the dessert table, these Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats bring the joy of the season in every bite. Easy to make, fun to decorate, and guaranteed to get "oohs" and "aahs" from the crowd-this is one treat that'll keep spirits (and sugar levels) high!
When you make them, be sure to tag me on Instagram @bowl_me_over -I'd love to see your creations!
Dee says
Love these! Such a cute idea to make with my grandchildren!
Debra Clark says
Thanks Dee, I hope you give them a try!!
Colleen says
Always a nice treat growing up and and now of course.
I would spread my krispies in shallow baking sheet pan that had been lines with paper. Once set up, I would remove from pan and use shaped cookie cutters to cut the krispie treats out and then decorated by my 2 daughters when they where young and now it's the grandkids and great kids that do the decorating.
Debra Clark says
Oh how fun Colleen! What a fun activity with the kids!!
Carol says
I know 3 grandkids and a son-in-law that will be excited and enjoy these, just might have to make for them.
Debra Clark says
Hahaha, you're going to be the holiday treat queen this year! So many treats, I know they will enjoy them!
Karen says
Easy Peasy and Yummy to boot too!
Debra Clark says
Thanks Karen!
Sherri Rochester says
These are adorable! I am thinking of our cookie exchange party at church. These would be perfect for me to make. I am all about easy as I get older, this recipe is perfect for me. who doesn't love a rice krispie treat?
Debra Clark says
Right? Always a great choice. Rice krispie treats are the BEST!!!
Lois says
These treats just look so good. Will be making them in the next couple of days to have at our Christmas party.
Debra Clark says
Awesome Lois, I bet the crew will really enjoy these tasty treats!!
Susan Turcsany says
These rice crispy trees are very cute and festive looking. I like the fact that they are egg and nut free, so people with food allergies are able to enjoy them as well.
Debra Clark says
Fun and festive, most definitely!! I agree, good change from the regular type of treats we've been sharing Enjoy Susan!