Bright, bite-sized Christmas trees made from Rice Krispies are a quick way to bring holiday cheer to your kitchen. These festive Krispie treats are kid-friendly, easy to shape, and fun to decorate. Read on for a simple recipe that turns marshmallow cereal into edible ornaments.
Why these Rice Krispie trees work so well for holiday baking
Rice Krispie treats have a pliable, dough-like texture when warm. That makes them perfect for sculpting. Add green food coloring and you have an instant canvas for holiday decorations.
- Fast to make: About 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Kid-approved: Simple steps let children join in.
- Customizable: Use candies, sprinkles, or small chocolates as ornaments.
Ingredients for Christmas Tree Krispie Treats (serves 12)
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 10.5 oz marshmallows (about one standard bag)
- Green food coloring (gel gives richer color)
- 12 miniature Reese’s Cups (for trunks)
- 12 peppermint candies (for tree toppers)
- 3 oz white chocolate or candy melts
- Assorted edible pearls, sprinkles, or small candies for ornaments
Quick facts: time, yield and category
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 trees
- Category: Holiday dessert / Easy Christmas dessert
Step-by-step: How to make Christmas Tree Krispie Treats
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Reserve the foam inserts from a waffle cone pack. Trim them into small cone supports to help shape the trees.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
- Add marshmallows and stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Mix in green food coloring until you reach a deep green.
- Remove from heat and fold in Rice Krispies until evenly coated.
- Grease your hands lightly and shape the mixture into cones. Press them gently over the foam forms, then place on the prepared sheet.
- Let the trees rest for a few hours so they firm up.
- Melt white chocolate and load into a piping bag or a small zip-top bag. Snip a corner.
- Pipe garlands around each tree, then use small dots of chocolate as glue to attach edible pearls and sprinkles.
- Attach a peppermint candy to the tip with a dab of white chocolate.
- Flip a miniature Reese’s Cup upside down, add a dot of chocolate, and set a tree on top to form the trunk and base.
- Allow the chocolate to set before serving or packaging.
Tools and small shortcuts
- Piping bag or zip-top bag for neat garlands.
- Nonstick spray or butter for hands when shaping.
- Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler to melt chocolate.
- Use gel food coloring for bolder green with less liquid.
Decoration ideas to make each tree unique
- Swap edible pearls for mini M&Ms or tiny gumdrops.
- Dust with edible glitter for a snowy shine.
- Use colored candy melts instead of white chocolate for rainbow garlands.
- Press small candy stars or golden dragees into the top instead of peppermint.
Storage, make-ahead tips, and serving suggestions
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Make the Krispie base a day ahead and decorate the next day.
- Wrap individually in cellophane for party favors.
- Serve on a festive platter or as part of a holiday dessert board.
Nutritional snapshot per tree
- Serving size: 1 tree
- Calories: about 340
- Sugars: ~41 g
- Fat: ~9.7 g
- Carbs: ~63 g
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Health advocate and wellness researcher, Dr. Monroe brings clarity to confusing health trends with science-backed advice. Her mission is to help readers live vibrantly, from the inside out.