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.
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.
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.
- 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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 treats
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully festive and fun, these Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats are a perfect sweet snack for the holiday season. Made with classic marshmallow and cereal, then shaped into charming trees decorated with melted white chocolate, pretzel sticks, and colorful sprinkles, they’re easy to make and sure to bring cheer to any celebration.
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
Decoration
- 12 pretzel sticks
- Christmas sprinkles
- 4 ounces white chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the dish: Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper and set aside.
- Melt butter and marshmallows: In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter. Add marshmallows and stir continuously until completely smooth and melted.
- Add color and flavor: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in green gel food coloring and vanilla extract until the mixture is evenly colored.
- Incorporate cereal: Fold in rice krispies cereal until all pieces are completely coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Form the base: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and gently press it down without packing too firmly to keep treats soft.
- Allow to set: Let the treats set at room temperature for at least one hour until firm.
- Cut into shapes: Slice the set treats horizontally in half, then cut each layer into triangles to resemble Christmas trees.
- Decorate: Melt white chocolate according to package instructions. Carefully insert one pretzel stick into the base of each triangle as a tree trunk. Pipe melted white chocolate on top of each tree and sprinkle with festive Christmas sprinkles.
- Serve: Allow the chocolate to set before serving. Enjoy your festive holiday treats!
Notes
- Use fresh marshmallows and cereal for best flavor and texture; stale ingredients may result in less pleasant treats.
- Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Do not press the mixture too firmly into the baking dish to keep the treats soft and chewy rather than hard.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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