Looking for a fun easy holiday treat recipe? These Christmas Rice Krispies Treats in the form of mini Christmas trees are fun to make and always bring holiday cheer!
We’ve changes up a classic rice krispie treat recipe for the Christmas holiday. These delicious treats have the perfect ratio of marshmallow to cereal so they hold together beautifully while still being soft to eat.
Kids of all ages love these crispy treats. They are a cute Christmas dessert, or an easy treat for Christmas parties or addition to Christmas cookie platters.
They don’t take much time to make or decorate making it a great recipe for a last minute no-bake treat.
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Recipe Ingredients Notes
Rice Krispie cereal. Rice Krispies or the same type of cereal from a different brand can be used. Note if gluten-free Rice Krispies brand is not gluten-free. We use Barbara’s Brown Rice Crisps cereal (but any brand will work).
Pretzels. Use stick pretzels. These come in a variety of thicknesses. Thicker stick pretzels work best (refer to photos). Regular or gluten-free will work. For gluten-free Christmas rice krispie treats we used Glutino brand.
Mini marshmallows. You’ll need 6 cups. As of the writing of this recipe this would be a 10 ounce bag. Always double check as we’ve found marshmallow package amounts can change.
Butter. You’ll use salted butter for this holiday treats recipe.
Green food coloring. Drops or gel food coloring can be used.
White chocolate melts. Any brand will work. These can be found in craft store baking departments, with baking aisle of the grocery store or online. We love Ghirardelli brand melting wafers. They melt and harden well, and have a great vanilla flavor.
Nonpariel sprinkles. These are easy to find where baking supplies are sold. Any colors can be used. We chose holiday-colored sprinkles (green, red and white) for these Christmas trees.
Other supplies used
- 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish
- Plastic sandwich size bag
- Nonstick cooking spray
How to Make Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats – Step-by-Step
STEP 1. Preparation
Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP 2. Make treat mixture
In a large heavy Dutch oven or large saucepan melt butter over low heat (photo 1). Stir in the vanilla extract.
Add in the marshmallows and stir continuously until they have melted (photo 3).
Add several drops (4-5) of green food coloring (or gel coloring) and stir in well (photo 2).
Stir the rice krispies cereal into the melted marshmallow mixture until coated with the marshmallow cream (photo 4-5).
STEP 3. Add to baking dish
Using a large spoon, spoon the coated rice krispies into the prepared baking dish and gently press down with firm pressure to spread the mixture (photo 6). Refer to Pro Tips section.
Sprinkle the nonpareils evenly over the top of the cereal mixture and press down gently so they will stick to the mixture.
Allow the rice krispie mixture to cool for 30 minutes.
STEP 4. Cutting trees
Using a spatula gently loosen the edges of the treats. Turn the dish over onto a clean cutting board or lift and move to cutting board. Use a large knife to trim the edges so they are straight (photo 7). Set aside the trimmed pieces.
Cut the block of treats down the middle the long way. This will split the treats into two pieces (photo 8).
Cut each section on an angle to form triangle shaped pieces (6 per section for 12 trees total) (photos 9-10).
STEP 5. Melt candy melts
Place the white chocolate melts into a microwave safe container. Follow the directions for your brand of white chocolate melts. If they do not have directions, then microwave for 1 minute at 50% power or on the defrost setting. Stir well. If not melted place in microwave for 30 seconds and stir again.
STEP 6. Insert trunk
Use a thick bamboo skewer to make a hole in the middle of the bottom of the tree for the pretzel ‘trunk’. Dip the end of the pretzel stick , about ½ to ¾ of an inch) into the white chocolate (photo 11) and gently insert into the flat bottom section of each triangle shaped krispie treat (photo 12).
STEP 7. Drizzle garland
Place a sandwich bag, corner first, into a mug or cup. Fold the edges over the mug or cup (photo 13) . Open the bag as much as possible to make spooning in the melted chocolate easier. Note: a piping bag may also be used.
Spoon the melted white chocolate into the bag (photo 14).
Remove the bag from the cup and squeeze all the chocolate into one corner of the bag. Squeeze out the excess air and twist the bag (photo 15).
Cut the tip of the bag off. You will want to cut a small amount, about 1/8 to ¼ of an inch off. This is to allow a thin drizzle of chocolate to come out to give the appearance of garland on the tree.
Slowly squeeze the bag to allow the melted chocolate to come out. Drizzle the melted chocolate back and forth over the tree to resemble garland that has been placed around the tree (photo 16).
Place the pan in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes to help the chocolate quickly set up.
Variations
Candy cane trunk. Instead of a pretzel a small straight candy cane can be used for trunks.
Sprinkles. Any type of sprinkles can be used though nonpareil type stick on the Christmas rice krispies treats well. Look for fun Christmas sprinkles at your local craft store or online.
Different color garland. Candy melts come in lots of different colors. You can choose red candy melts or another color to add more color to this perfect holiday treat. These are also found in the baking section of craft stores, grocery stores and online.
No garland. Though the garland adds more flavor and the finishing touch, the treats are great without it too.
Pro Tips
How to keep the rice krispies mixture from sticking. The marshmallow coated rice krispies are very sticky. To help keep them from sticking to the spoon when moving them to the baking dish and to your hands when pressing them into the baking dish, coat the spoon and your fingers with a small amount of nonstick cooking spray, oil, or butter.
We personally use cooking spray. Works like a charm!
How to Store
Stored in an airtight container container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layers of parchment paper or wax paper can be placed between layers to protect the garland. Do not refrigerate.
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Recipe
Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 cups rice krispie cereal any brand, regular or gluten-free
- 6 cups mini marshmallows
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring liquid or ge
- Pretzel sticks regular or gluten-free
- 3/4 cup white vanilla candy melts also called melting wafers
- 2 tablespoons Nonpareil sprinkles
- Plastic sandwich bag
- Nonstick spray
Instructions
Making the rice krispies treats
- Prepare a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish by spraying with nonstick spray
- In a large pot melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add in the marshmallows and stir continuously until they have melted.
- Add several drops (4-5) of green food coloring and stir in well.
- Stir in the rice krispie cereal until coated with the marshmallow cream.
- Spoon the coated rice krispies into the prepared baking dish and gently press down to spread the mixture. See NOTES below.
- Sprinkle the nonpareils evenly over the top and press down gently so they will stick to the mixture.
- Allow the rice krispie mixture to cool for 30 minutes.
- Using a spatula gently loosen the edges of the treats. Lift onto or turn the dish over onto a clean cutting board. Use a large knife to trim the edges so they are straight. Set aside the trimmed pieces.
- Cut the block of treats down the middle the long way. This will split the treats into two pieces.
- Cut each section on an angle to form triangle shaped pieces.
- Place the white chocolate melts into a microwave safe container. Follow the directions for your brand of white chocolate melts. If they do not have directions, then microwave for 1 minute at 50% power or on the defrost setting. Stir well. If not melted place in microwave for 30 seconds and stir again.
- Insert a large bamboo skewer or thin chopstick to the middle bottom of the tree for the pretzel insertion.Dip the end of the pretzel stick, about ½ to ¾ of an inch) into the white chocolate and gently insert into the flat bottom section of each triangle shaped krispie treat.
Making the garland drizzle
- Begin by creating a piping bag. Place a sandwich bag, corner first, into a mug or cup. Fold the edges over the mug or cup. Open the bag as much as possible to make spooning in the melted chocolate easier.
- Spoon the melted white chocolate into the bag.
- Remove the bag from the cup and squeeze all the chocolate into one corner of the bag. Squeeze out the excess air and twist the bag.
- Cut the tip of the bag off. You will want to cut a small amount, about 1/8 to ¼ of an inch off. This is to allow a thin drizzle of chocolate to come out to give the appearance of garland on the tree.
- Slowly squeeze the bag to allow the melted chocolate to come out. Drizzle the melted chocolate back and forth over the tree to resemble garland that has been placed around the tree.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes to help the chocolate quickly set up.
April says
These are so adorable! We love making rice krispies treats, but this took it to a new level! Thanks for the great idea!
Diane shultz says
My kids and I made these last night and they were so easy to make. They’re adorable too so we are giving some away as holiday gifts!
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing christmas tree rice krispies treats recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
Sharon says
These Christmas tree rice Krispie treats are wonderful holiday treat! They are super easy to make oto.
Tavo says
What a great idea! I am making this for Christmas for sure! thanks for the recipe!
Catherine says
Oh these look adorable! What a fun way to get into the holiday spirit..these would make perfect little gifts to give too!
Jenn says
These are the cutest and most festive holiday treats! My kids loved making them!
Andrea says
These are adorable! Super fun, festive and tasty!