If you’re looking for the perfect festive treat that’s fun, easy, and absolutely delicious, then you’ve got to try this Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe. I absolutely love how these turned out—crispy, chewy, and bursting with that nostalgic marshmallow goodness. Plus, shaping them into adorable Christmas trees makes snack time way more festive and fun. Stick with me, and I’ll show you how to make these crowd-pleasers, step by step.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy to Make: Just a few simple ingredients and minimal time for a festive treat anyone can whip up.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating with sprinkles and pretzel sticks is a blast, and kids love eating their homemade creations.
- Perfect for Parties: These Christmas tree shapes are insta-worthy and make a great platter centerpiece.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: I learned the secret to keeping them soft is gentle pressing—no hard treats here!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe plays its part perfectly—from creamy butter to gooey marshmallows, and crisp cereal. Here’s what you’ll want, plus some handy tips to make your shopping easier.
- Unsalted Butter: Use good quality butter for the best flavor and smooth melting.
- Marshmallows: Fresh marshmallows are key here; stale ones make for tough treats.
- Green Gel Food Coloring: Gel colors give vibrant hues without thinning out your marshmallow mixture.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds that subtle warmth I adore in Rice Krispie treats.
- Rice Krispies Cereal: Use classic, crispy rice cereal—not the puffed version—for the perfect crunch.
- Pretzel Sticks: These act like little tree trunks and add a salty crunch against the sweet treats.
- Christmas Sprinkles: Fun and festive, sprinkles turn each treat into a mini holiday masterpiece.
- White Chocolate (melted): Great for decorating and helping sprinkles stick—plus, who doesn’t love white chocolate?
Variations
I love making this Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe my own by switching up colors and decorations, so feel free to put your spin on it. It’s a great recipe to experiment with, and honestly, it’s hard to go wrong!
- Rainbow Trees: I once added different colors of gel food coloring to split the marshmallow mixture and layered it for a rainbow effect—it made my niece’s eyes light up!
- Peanut Butter Twist: Adding a swirl of peanut butter with the melted marshmallows gives a rich, nutty flavor that my whole family goes crazy for.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free crispy rice cereal so everyone can indulge worry-free.
- Vegan Version: Swap butter and marshmallows for plant-based alternatives—I haven’t tried it yet but hear it works great with some tweaks.
How to Make Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
First things first, lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper. Trust me, this step makes removing your treats so much easier and keeps the bottoms perfectly shaped. Also, have your marshmallows and butter ready to go for smooth melting.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
Place the butter in a large pot over low heat and melt it gently. Then add the marshmallows and stir constantly until everything is smooth and melted. Keep the heat low to avoid burning—this is key. When I first tried this, I got a little impatient and turned the heat up, which made the mixture clumpy, so slow and steady wins here!
Step 3: Add Color, Flavor, and Cereal
Off the heat, stir in green gel food coloring and vanilla extract. It’s such a simple step but the color really makes these treats pop! Next, carefully fold in your Rice Krispies cereal until every bit is coated with that glossy marshmallow. You’ll want to act quickly before it starts to set.
Step 4: Shape and Chill the Treats
Press the mixture gently into your prepared pan—here’s where my biggest tip comes into play: don’t press too hard, or your treats will turn tough. A gentle, even press is all it takes. Let these set at room temperature for at least one hour so they’ll firm up but stay chewy.
Step 5: Cut into Christmas Tree Shapes and Decorate
Once set, slice the treats horizontally in half to get thinner layers, then cut triangles to form little Christmas trees. Melt your white chocolate and carefully insert one pretzel stick in the base of each triangle – it’s like the tree’s trunk. Pipe the melted chocolate onto each treat, sprinkle festive decorations on top, and let them set. This part is so satisfying; I love seeing them come to life!
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Use Fresh Ingredients: I noticed the difference instantly when I switched to fresh marshmallows and cereal—treats just taste brighter and fresher.
- Gentle Pressing Technique: Don’t pack the mixture too tightly; it keeps your treats soft and chewy rather than hard and dense.
- Decorate While Warm: Melt your white chocolate just right—not too hot—and work quickly to pipe it and add sprinkles before it hardens.
- Cutting Trick: Use a sharp knife warmed slightly under hot water to slice the treats cleanly without crumbling.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a sprinkle of festive sugar pearls or tiny silver balls alongside the colorful Christmas sprinkles. They add a bit of sparkle, and honestly, that little extra detail makes guests ooh and aah when you bring these out. Sometimes I dust them lightly with edible glitter for holiday parties—it’s just magical.
Side Dishes
These treats pair perfectly with warm mugs of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider. I’ve served them alongside a simple fruit platter for balance during holiday gatherings, and they never fail to be the star of the dessert table.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged these Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe on a large platter dusted with powdered sugar, mimicking snow, with mini gingerbread men scattered around. Another time, I skewered the treats on sticks and wrapped them with little bows for edible holiday favors—such a hit with both kids and adults!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, and honestly, they stay soft and delicious for up to a week. Just keep them away from humidity and heat, and you’re good to go.
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead for a big event, I recommend freezing the shaped treats wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer bag. When thawed at room temperature, they taste almost as fresh as the day you made them!
Reheating
Since these treats are best enjoyed soft, reheating is usually not necessary. But if they feel a bit firm, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel to restore that gooey texture.
FAQs
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Can I use other cereals instead of Rice Krispies in this recipe?
Absolutely! While classic Rice Krispies give the best texture and crunch, you can swap in similar puffed rice cereals or gluten-free options as needed. Just remember, different cereals may absorb marshmallow differently, altering texture slightly.
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How do I prevent my Rice Krispie treats from getting hard?
The biggest key is to press the marshmallow and cereal mixture gently into your baking pan—not packing it tightly. Also, avoid overcooking marshmallows and using stale ingredients, as freshness keeps treats soft and chewy.
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Can I make these treats ahead and freeze them?
Yes! You can freeze the decorated treats wrapped tightly. Just thaw at room temperature before serving. This makes Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe a perfect make-ahead holiday treat.
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What’s the best way to cut the treats into Christmas tree shapes?
Use a sharp knife warmed in hot water and dried thoroughly. Cut the treats horizontally first to get thinner slices, then cut triangles from those slices to create perfect little trees.
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Any tips for decorating the treats with melted chocolate?
Melt white chocolate gently to avoid clumps, and work quickly to pipe on the trees before it hardens. Adding sprinkles right after piping helps them stick perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe has become a staple in my holiday traditions—it’s fun to make, easy to customize, and delicious enough for the whole family. I love how the simple ingredients come together to create such a joyful and festive snack. Whether you’re baking with your kids or prepping for a holiday party, these treats will definitely bring smiles around the table. Give it a try—I’m pretty sure you’ll be making them every Christmas like me!
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Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes plus 1 hour setting time
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats are a fun and easy holiday dessert that kids and adults will love. Soft, chewy, and bursting with vanilla and buttery marshmallow flavor, these treats are shaped into cute triangles, decorated with white chocolate, sprinkles, and pretzel stick trunks to resemble Christmas trees. Perfect for holiday parties or a sweet seasonal snack.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 16 ounces marshmallows (1 bag)
- 3 drops green gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
Decorations
- 12 pretzel sticks
- Christmas sprinkles (quantity as desired)
- 4 ounces white chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish, or line it with parchment paper, then set it aside for later.
- Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, add the marshmallows and stir continuously over low heat until the marshmallows are completely smooth and melted.
- Add Color and Flavor: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the green gel food coloring and vanilla extract to infuse color and flavor evenly into the marshmallow mixture.
- Combine with Cereal: Fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until every piece is fully coated with the marshmallow mixture. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press gently to spread it evenly without packing it too tightly.
- Set and Slice: Allow the rice krispie treats to cool and set at room temperature for at least one hour. Once set, slice the treats horizontally in half to create thinner layers, then cut these layers into triangles to resemble Christmas trees.
- Decorate: Melt the white chocolate according to the package instructions. Carefully insert one pretzel stick into the base of each triangle to serve as a tree trunk. Use a piping bag or spoon to drizzle the melted white chocolate over each tree, then add Christmas sprinkles on top. Allow chocolate to set before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh marshmallows and Rice Krispies cereal for the best texture and flavor; stale ingredients will result in less tasty treats.
- Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to keep them fresh.
- Press the mixture gently into the baking dish to maintain a soft and chewy texture; avoid pressing too firmly as this will make the treats hard.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat (approx. 1/12th of recipe)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
