There's just something magical about crispy, sweet, and festive treats that take you right into the holiday spirit. This Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats Recipe combines nostalgic childhood flavors with a playful twist that makes holiday baking fun and approachable for everyone.

The image shows green triangular treats shaped like Christmas trees arranged on a white plate with a textured edge. Each treat has a light brown pretzel stick at the base to look like a tree trunk. The green layers have a textured, rice crispy look and are decorated with white icing drizzled in diagonal lines across the triangles. Small colorful sprinkles add detail, including red and green thin sprinkles, gold star shapes, round yellow dots, and small silver balls. The plate sits on a light blue surface with some white powdered sugar and Christmas ornaments nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe has always been one of my go-tos during the holidays because it’s quick, festive, and irresistible. Plus, turning fluffy Rice Krispies treats into adorable Christmas trees adds instant holiday cheer to any party or cozy night in.

Simple Ingredients: You likely have all the essentials on hand, making it a no-stress holiday treat.
Fun & Festive: The Christmas tree shape and colorful sprinkles make these treats perfect for sharing or gifting.
Kid-Friendly: Kids love helping decorate these crunchy, gooey delights—and eating them, of course!
Customizable: You can easily swap decorations or add flavors, so it’s a great canvas for your creativity.

The image shows five triangular rice cereal treats shaped like Christmas trees on a white plate with a slightly uneven edge. Each treat has a bright green textured base made from rice cereal, layered with white icing drizzled diagonally across the top. Colorful sprinkles in red, green, gold, and silver star and round shapes are scattered all over the green surface, making the treats look festive. At the base of each triangle, a short brown pretzel stick sticks out, acting as the tree trunk. The background is a soft white marbled texture, with some small Christmas ornaments and a white bowl partially visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect texture and flavor we expect from a classic Rice Krispies treat—soft, chewy, sweet, and crunchy all at once.

Flat lay of a few tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small white bowl, a small mound of fresh white marshmallows, a tiny white bowl containing a few drops of green gel food coloring, a small white bowl with pale vanilla extract, a crisp pile of golden puffed rice cereal, a neat bundle of natural pretzel sticks, a scattering of colorful Christmas sprinkles on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with melted white chocolate, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Helps the marshmallows melt smoothly and adds richness without extra saltiness.
Marshmallows: The binding agent that gives chewy, gooey magic—fresh marshmallows make all the difference!
Green Gel Food Coloring: A little goes a long way to give that vibrant Christmas tree green without watering down flavors.
Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
Rice Krispies Cereal: Provides the signature crisp texture; make sure it’s fresh and not stale for the best crunch.
Pretzel Sticks: These act as the perfect crunchy tree trunk, adding a salty contrast that’s deliciously unexpected.
Christmas Sprinkles: Your festive finishing touch that adds color and fun personality to each tree.
White Chocolate (melted): Acts as glue for sprinkles and adds a creamy sweetness for extra indulgence.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Personally, I love making this recipe as is but also enjoy customizing it with different toppings or mixing in a bit of holiday spirit by adding cinnamon or peppermint extract. Don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Variation: I've tried adding mini red and white candy canes crushed into the mix for a peppermint twist—so festive and tasty!
Dairy-Free Option: Swap the butter for coconut oil and make sure your marshmallows are vegan-friendly to cater to dietary needs.
Texture Adjustment: If you prefer softer treats, don’t press the mixture too hard into the pan—gently pressing works best.
Color Fun: Use multiple colors of food coloring for a rainbow forest effect or match your party’s color scheme.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Step 1: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

I start by lightly greasing a 13×9-inch baking dish or lining it with parchment paper—it makes cleanup so much easier! Then, in a large pot over low heat, I gently melt 5 tablespoons of unsalted butter until it’s smooth and bubbling just around the edges. After that, I toss in the entire 16-ounce bag of marshmallows and stir consistently. Patience is key here—keep the heat low and stir often to melt the marshmallows evenly without burning. When you see that glossy, smooth marshmallow mixture, you know you’re ready for the next step.

Step 2: Add Color and Flavor

Once off the heat, I mix in 3 drops of green gel food coloring and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The gel coloring is great because it gives vibrant color without watering things down. Stir everything together until the green is consistent—your kitchen will start smelling irresistibly sweet and inviting!

Step 3: Fold in Rice Krispies Cereal

Here’s where the magic really happens. Slowly add 5 ½ cups of Rice Krispies cereal to the marshmallow mixture, folding gently but thoroughly. The goal is to coat every bit of cereal without smashing the crispy texture. Once combined, pour your mixture into the prepared dish. A common mistake I see is pressing too hard—gently press the mixture so it fills the pan evenly without packing it tight. This keeps your treats soft and chewy.

Step 4: Let It Set and Cut Into Trees

Patience is a virtue here: let your Krispies treats set at room temperature for at least an hour, uncovered. Once firm, slice the block horizontally in half, then cut both layers into triangles that resemble Christmas tree shapes. You’ll want about 12 trees total, depending on your slice sizes.

Step 5: Decorate with Chocolate, Pretzels, and Sprinkles

Melt 4 ounces of white chocolate according to package directions—microwaving in short bursts works great here. Carefully insert a pretzel stick into the base of each triangle to become the “tree trunk.” Use the melted chocolate to “pipe” onto the tree tops and immediately sprinkle your Christmas sprinkles on before the chocolate sets. It’s such a fun step to get creative—and the chocolate adds that extra bit of festive indulgence.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats Recipe foolproof and extra special—these tips really saved me from frustration and helped make my treats festive show-stoppers.

Gentle Pressing: Pressing the mixture gently into the pan gives you soft, chewy treats instead of rock-hard bars.
Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh marshmallows and cereal to avoid stale-tasting treats—this makes a huge difference.
Cooling Time: Don’t rush the setting time; letting them rest at room temperature ensures they hold together perfectly when cut.
Food Coloring: Use gel coloring instead of liquid to prevent the mixture from getting soggy or too runny.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Christmas Tree Rice Krispies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a fan of bright, colorful sprinkles for adding fun texture and festive vibes. Sometimes I add mini candy pearls or edible glitter to really make them sparkle under Christmas lights. The white chocolate drizzle also gives a nice snowy effect that’s hard to resist.

Side Dishes

I like pairing these treats with hot cocoa or a cozy spiced cider to complement their sweetness. They're also a great alongside a holiday cookie platter or even a simple fruit tray for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I arrange the trees standing upright in a shallow box lined with festive tissue paper, creating a little forest centerpiece. Wrapping each treat in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon turns them into perfect edible gifts, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft—usually they last about a week this way. I found refrigeration dries them out, so I avoid that when possible.

Freezing

If I want to prepare ahead, I individually wrap the treats tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them in a sealed bag. When thawed, they’re surprisingly just as tasty and soft as freshly made.

Reheating

Reheating isn’t usually necessary, but if you want a warm, gooey treat, a few seconds in the microwave does the trick—just watch carefully so you don’t melt the decorations.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different cereal for this recipe?

You can substitute Rice Krispies with similar puffed rice cereals, but it may alter the texture and flavor slightly. The classic Rice Krispies cereal is ideal for that signature crisp and chewiness.

Why shouldn’t I press the treats too firmly?

Pressing the treats too firmly compacts them, resulting in a hard texture that loses the beloved chewy quality. Gently pressing ensures soft, tender treats that are easy to bite into.

Can I make these Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats ahead of time?

Absolutely! They keep well at room temperature for up to a week. You can even freeze them individually wrapped to enjoy later during the holiday season.

What’s the best way to decorate these treats?

Using melted white chocolate as “glue” for sprinkles is my favorite because it adds a creamy sweetness and helps the decorations stick well. Don’t rush this step—add sprinkles right after piping the chocolate for the best effect.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats Recipe holds a special place in my holiday tradition. It’s the perfect blend of easy, joyful, and delicious that brings smiles every time I make it. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy the process as much as the sweet, crunchy result. Plus, it’s a lovely way to create festive memories in your kitchen with family and friends.