If you’re looking for a holiday treat that’s festive, easy, and guaranteed to disappear quickly, these Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats are it. They’re soft, chewy, and made with rich brown butter for just a little extra holiday magic.
Cut into triangles and decorated with melted chocolate to look like Christmas trees, they’re the kind of simple Christmas desserts that both kids and adults love. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party or just a fun weekend activity, they’re quick to make and even quicker to enjoy.
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Ingredients for Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats
- 5 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup green candy melts (or white chocolate colored with green food coloring)
- ½ cup white candy melts (or white chocolate chips)
- 1–2 teaspoons coconut oil (to help smooth the melted candy)
- Holiday sprinkles (optional)
How to Make Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats
Step 1: Make the Brown Butter Rice Krispie Base
Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. The butter will foam and froth, then the foam will begin to subside. You’ll see little brown specks forming on the bottom of the pan and smell a nutty aroma—that’s how you know the butter is perfectly browned.
Add in the marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth.
Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until evenly coated.
Press the mixture into the prepared pan using a lightly greased piece of parchment paper to flatten it out evenly. Let cool completely before cutting.
Step 2: Cut Into Triangles
Once the treats are set, lift them out of the pan and place them on a cutting board. Trim off the edges so you have an even rectangle to work with.
First cut the rectangle in half lengthwise.
Then, using diagonal cuts, slice across in alternating directions to form equilateral triangles. If you end up with a couple of half-triangle scraps at the edges, you can press them together to form one more slightly wider Christmas tree.
Step 3: Decorate the Trees
Melt the green candy melts with a little coconut oil, either according to the package instructions or in 30-second increments in the microwave, stirring between each interval until smooth.
Dip each triangle face down into the green chocolate to cover the surface completely. If you’d like to add sprinkles, now’s the time—before the green chocolate sets.
Once the coating is firm, melt the white candy melts (or white chocolate chips with a little coconut oil) and transfer to a squeeze bottle fitted with a small round tip. Use it to pipe dots to mimic twinkling lights, or drizzle lines across the trees like garlands.
Step 4: Let the Chocolate Set and Serve
Place the decorated Rice Krispie trees on parchment or wax paper until the chocolate hardens. Once set, they’re ready to serve at your holiday party or wrap up as festive gifts.
Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats
- Don’t overpack the mixture: When pressing the Rice Krispies into the pan, use a gentle touch. Packing them too tightly can make them dense instead of soft and chewy.
- Work quickly with the marshmallows: Once they’re melted, you’ll want to fold in the cereal right away so the mixture doesn’t start setting before it’s spread evenly. If you notice it hardening too quickly, you can place the pot back over low heat to loosen it up again.
- Customize the decorations: These Christmas trees are so fun to make your own. Use mini candy ornaments, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes to give them a festive sparkle.
- Make ahead friendly: These treats can be made 1–2 days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. That helps the chocolate decorations stay smooth and pretty. If you live in a very hot or humid climate, you can store them in the fridge, but keep in mind that condensation may form on the chocolate once they’re brought back to room temperature.
FAQs
Can I make these without browning the butter?
Yes! Browning the butter adds a nutty, rich flavor, but if you’re short on time, you can simply melt the butter and continue with the recipe.
Do I need a Christmas tree cookie cutter?
Nope. Cutting the Rice Krispie Treats into triangles works beautifully, but if you have a cookie cutter, you can definitely use it for uniform shapes.
How do I store Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Refrigeration can cause condensation on the chocolate, and freezing may affect the look of the decorations, so they’re best enjoyed fresh.
Can I use regular chocolate instead of candy melts?
Yes! You can melt chocolate chips with a teaspoon or two of coconut oil to help with texture and consistency. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until smooth.
Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats are one of those recipes that remind you how fun and easy holiday baking can be. With just a few simple steps, you can turn a childhood classic into a festive dessert that’s perfect for sharing.
Whether you’re making them for a party, giving them as gifts, or just enjoying them at home, these treats are simple, fun, and guaranteed to bring a little extra holiday cheer.
Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 5 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows usually 1 bag
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup green candy melts (approximately) or white chocolate chips and green food coloring
- 1/2 cup white candy melts (approximately) or white chocolate chips
- 1-2 tsp coconut oil to help smooth out the melting candy
- Christmas sprinkles optional, for decorating
Instructions
Make Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
- Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. The butter will foam and froth, then the foam will begin to subside. You’ll see little brown specks forming on the bottom of the pan and smell a nutty aroma.
- Add in the marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth.
- Remove from the heat (or turn heat to low) and stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until evenly coated.
- Press the mixture into the prepared pan using a lightly greased piece of parchment paper to flatten it out evenly. Let cool completely before cutting.
Cut Rice Krispie Treats into Trees and Decorate
- Once the treats are set, lift them out of the pan and place them on a cutting board. First, trim the edges (if necessary) so you have a rectangle.
- Cut the rectangle in half lengthwise. Then, using diagonal cuts, slice across in alternating directions to form equilateral triangles. If you end up with a couple of half-triangle scraps at the edges, you can press them together to form one more slightly wider Christmas tree.
- Melt the green candy melts with a little coconut oil, either according to the package instructions or in 30-second increments in the microwave, stirring between each interval until smooth.
- Dip each triangle face down into the green chocolate to cover the surface completely. If you’d like to add sprinkles, do it now before the green chocolate sets.
- Once the coating is firm, melt the white candy melts (or white chocolate chips with a little coconut oil) and transfer to a squeeze bottle fitted with a small round tip. Use it to pipe dots to mimic twinkling lights, or drizzle lines across the trees like garlands.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 (please note that the chocolate may get some condensation on it when you take it out of fridge, but it will still taste the same).
