Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat to bring some extra cheer to your holiday gatherings, this Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s simple, colorful, and perfect for the kid in all of us—trust me, the joy of making edible little Christmas trees never gets old! Plus, they’re a crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will enjoy munching on while you cozy up around the fire.
I’ve made this Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe for years—whether it’s a classroom party or a casual holiday get-together—and I can honestly say it’s one of those recipes that’s as much fun to create as it is to devour. These treats are delightfully crispy with just the right touch of sweetness and that classic marshmallow gooeyness everyone loves. Plus, decorating each tree with pretzel sticks and sprinkles makes it an interactive experience that’s perfect for kids and grown-ups alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe lies in how these simple ingredients come together to create something festive and flavorful. You’ll want fresh marshmallows for that perfect melt, and don’t skimp on the butter—it’s the key to that classic richness and helps your treats set just right.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter helps control the salt levels, ensuring your treats taste perfectly sweet without being salty.
- Marshmallows: Fresh marshmallows melt beautifully, making your treats delightfully gooey and sticky—don’t use stale ones!
- Green gel food coloring: Gel coloring is ideal here since it doesn’t thin out the marshmallow mixture, giving you a vibrant green that’s color-rich.
- Vanilla extract: Just a bit of vanilla adds warmth and depth to the flavor, rounding out the sweetness wonderfully.
- Rice Krispies cereal: The classic crispy texture is essential—use the original cereal for best results.
- Pretzel sticks: These act as the tree trunks—plus their salty crunch is a fun contrast to the sweetness.
- Christmas sprinkles: Pick your favorite mix of festive colors and shapes—the more playful, the better!
- White chocolate, melted: Used to “glue” on sprinkles and add extra sweetness—feel free to drizzle some for an elegant finish.
Variations
I love tweaking this Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe depending on the occasion or who I’m serving it to. Feel free to dive into your own creative spin—after all, part of the fun is personalizing each tree just the way you like it.
- Nut-free variation: I leave out any nuts and go heavier on sprinkles to make sure it’s safe and still festive for my nephew’s school party.
- Chocolate twist: Sometimes I stir in mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted dark chocolate on top for a richer treat that the adults especially enjoy.
- Gluten-free version: Just double-check that your Rice Krispies cereal is labeled gluten-free to keep allergies at bay.
- Mini trees for bite-sized fun: Making smaller treats is a hit for cocktail parties or when you want snackable portions for a crowd.
How to Make Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows
Start by melting the unsalted butter in a large saucepan over low heat—patience here is key so you don’t burn the butter. Once melted, toss in all the marshmallows and stir continuously until they’re completely melted and smoothed out. Adding the green gel food coloring at this stage lets the color swirl right into the marshmallows. Keep your heat low and steady to avoid scorching, and take the pot off the burner as soon as the mixture’s silky smooth.
Step 2: Mix In Vanilla and Rice Krispies
Once your marshmallow mixture is melted, stir in the vanilla extract for that lovely aroma and flavor. Then, gradually fold in the Rice Krispies cereal, making sure every crunchy bit gets coated in the green goo. It’s best to mix gently but thoroughly so you don’t crush the cereal into a mushy mess. Using a spatula or wooden spoon works wonders here.
Step 3: Shape Your Christmas Trees
Quickly transfer the mixture onto a parchment-lined tray and use a buttered or dampened spatula to press it down evenly—don’t press too hard or your treats will turn dense and lose their fluffiness. Once it cools just enough to handle, form tree shapes by cutting triangles with a sharp knife or shaping by hand. For stability and tradition, press a pretzel stick at the base to serve as a trunk.
Step 4: Decorate with Sprinkles and White Chocolate
To make these Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats extra festive, I melt white chocolate and use it like “glue” to stick colorful sprinkles onto each tree. Drizzling a little chocolate on top adds a pretty, professional touch too. Don’t rush here—letting the chocolate set properly keeps your decorations intact and means your treats will look as good as they taste.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick to bright, colorful Christmas sprinkles—tiny stars, red and green dots, and some edible glitter for that sparkle. Sometimes I add mini candy canes broken into bits or crushed peppermint for extra pepperminty pops. It really elevates these treats and makes them look magical on the holiday dessert table.
Side Dishes
These treats pair beautifully with hot cocoa, eggnog, or even a simple cup of coffee. For holiday parties, I like serving them alongside gingerbread cookies or spiced nuts to give guests a nice sweet-and-savory mix.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve had a lot of fun presenting these Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats on festive platters decorated with holly leaves and pine cones (fake ones, of course!). Wrapping each tree in a small clear cellophane bag tied with a red ribbon turns them into perfect little holiday gifts. Another favorite is to set them upright in a decorated foam block so they look like a mini forest—always a show-stopper on the dessert table!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I wrap leftover Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them nice and chewy for up to 3 days. I usually avoid the fridge since it can make them a bit too hard and less enjoyable to eat.
Freezing
Freezing these treats works well if you want to prepare them well in advance. I individually wrap the trees in plastic wrap then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature before serving. They maintain great texture and flavor after freezing, which is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season.
Reheating
If your treats have lost a bit of their softness, a few seconds in the microwave (about 10-15 seconds) can revive that classic chewy marshmallow texture. Just be careful not to overheat, or you’ll end up with a melty mess—gentle warming is all you need.
FAQs
-
Can I use different cereals in place of Rice Krispies?
Absolutely! While traditional Rice Krispies give the perfect light crunch and classic flavor, other cereals like Cocoa Krispies or even Cheerios can work for fun twists. Just keep in mind that cereal texture and flavor will influence the final taste and consistency.
-
How do I make sure the green color is vibrant?
Using gel food coloring instead of liquid is key because gels are more concentrated and don’t dilute the marshmallow mixture. Adding the gel once the marshmallows start melting ensures an even, bright color in your treats.
-
What’s the best way to cut the treats into tree shapes?
Let the mixture cool slightly but still be soft to the touch so it’s easy to cut without crumbling. Use a sharp knife (I like a serrated one) and wipe it clean between cuts to keep edges clean. For hand shaping, you can form small triangles and press gently to maintain shape.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions—it’s simple, joyful, and invites creativity every time I make it. Whether you’re baking with kids or just want a quick, festive sweet to brighten up a party, these treats deliver on taste and fun. Give it a try—you’ll love how easy it is to create these edible little trees that bring smiles all around the table.
Print
Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 treats 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the festive season with these delightful Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats. Made with classic marshmallow and butter base, infused with vanilla and tinted green with gel food coloring, these treats are shaped like Christmas trees using pretzel sticks and decorated with white chocolate and colorful sprinkles for a perfect holiday 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 marshmallow mixture: In a large saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Once melted, add the marshmallows and stir continuously until they are completely melted and smooth.
- Add colors and flavor: Remove the mixture from heat and quickly stir in the green gel food coloring drops and vanilla extract until the color and flavor are evenly distributed.
- Combine with cereal: Pour the Rice Krispies cereal into the marshmallow mixture and gently fold until all the cereal is evenly coated and combined, ensuring the mixture is well mixed but not crushed.
- Shape the treats: Lightly grease your hands and shape the mixture into small triangular tree shapes or use a mold for more uniform shapes. Insert a pretzel stick into the base of each treat to serve as the tree trunk.
- Decorate the trees: Drizzle melted white chocolate over the shaped treats and immediately add Christmas sprinkles to the chocolate before it sets to decorate your Christmas-themed rice krispie trees.
- Allow to set: Place the decorated treats on parchment paper and let them cool at room temperature until the white chocolate hardens and the treats are firm enough to handle.
Notes
- Use greased hands or a buttered spatula to prevent the mixture from sticking when shaping.
- You can add a few drops of different colored gel food coloring to decorate the trees more festively.
- Melt white chocolate gently using a double boiler or microwave in short bursts to avoid burning.
- Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For extra festive fun, consider adding mini M&Ms or edible glitter as additional decorations.
