If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, this Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe is an absolute winner. These charming little green trees are fluffy, sweet, and perfectly crunchy, bringing the joy of the holidays right to your kitchen. With their vivid color and colorful sprinkles, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any holiday gathering or as a cozy afternoon snack with family. Plus, the simplicity of the ingredients and straightforward steps mean even beginners can create these delightful edible decorations with ease.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple yet essential to crafting the perfect balance of taste, texture, and holiday cheer in your Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe. Each one plays a unique role—from the buttery richness, to the gooey marshmallow stickiness, and the crispy Rice Krispies that provide that iconic crunch.
- Butter (3 tablespoons, unsalted): Adds richness and helps bind the marshmallows to the cereal for a smooth texture.
- Marshmallows (16 ounces): The key to that classic gooey, chewy base, either in regular or miniature form depending on availability.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Brings a subtle sweetness and rounds out the flavor.
- Rice Krispie cereal (6 cups): Provides that iconic crispy crunch and lightness.
- Green gel food coloring: Gives the treat its festive, vibrant tree color without altering texture.
- Pretzel sticks (12 mini pieces): Act as sturdy and salty tree trunks, adding crunch and balance.
- Christmas sprinkles: Make the trees pop with joyful, colorful decorations.
- White candy melts (4 ounces) or white chocolate chips: For a snowy drizzle that adds sweetness and sparkle.
How to Make Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan
Start by lining a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. This may seem simple, but it’s the foundation of your success. Parchment ensures your Rice Krispie mixture won’t stick and makes shaping clean-up a breeze.
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows
In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, gently melt the butter and marshmallows together, stirring continuously with a silicone spatula. This slow, steady melting prevents burning and achieves that desirable silky texture that holds your trees together perfectly.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Color
Once smooth, turn off the heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract. Then, while the marshmallow mixture is still hot, incorporate the green gel food coloring until you reach that perfect Christmas tree shade that’s vibrant and inviting.
Step 4: Mix in Rice Krispies and Press
Immediately stir the Rice Krispie cereal into your colored marshmallow mixture until every piece is evenly coated. Transfer everything to your lined baking dish, then place another layer of parchment on top. Gently but firmly press the mixture to spread evenly and compact it, making sure your eventual tree shapes hold together.
Step 5: Cut the Trees and Add Trunks
After the mixture has cooled completely (about one hour), lift it out using the parchment paper. On a cutting board, slice the rectangle lengthwise in half, then cut each half into six triangles — these are your little Christmas trees! Carefully insert a mini pretzel stick at the base of each triangle to serve as the tree trunk.
Step 6: Drizzle with White Chocolate and Decorate
Melt the white candy melts or white chocolate chips gently according to package instructions until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate into a zip-top bag and snip off a tiny corner to create a piping bag. Drizzle the white chocolate over your trees like delicate snow, then sprinkle festive Christmas sprinkles immediately on top while the chocolate is still warm. Let the chocolate cool and set before indulging.
How to Serve Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes to your Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe is where your holiday creativity shines! Brightly colored sprinkles mimic Christmas ornaments, while the white chocolate drizzle evokes freshly fallen snow. For an extra festive touch, scatter crushed candy canes around the platter for a peppermint crunch.
Side Dishes
While these trees stand perfectly on their own, consider pairing your treat with a cup of warm cocoa or a spiced holiday tea. These comforting drinks complement the sweetness and make your festive snack an all-around seasonal experience that warms the heart and delights the palate.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation makes these Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe treats unforgettable. Arrange them upright on a decorative holiday platter lined with pine branches or place each tree in a mini cupcake liner for easy serving. You could even package them in clear cellophane with a bright ribbon for charming edible gifts that everyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Rice Krispie Christmas Trees are decorated and fully cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them soft and chewy for up to 3 days, perfect if you want to make them ahead for a party or snack stash.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these festive treats later, freeze them between pieces of parchment paper in an airtight container for up to a month. When properly thawed, they retain their delightful texture and flavor, making them a reliable make-ahead holiday treat.
Reheating
Reheating is rarely necessary, but if your Rice Krispie Christmas Trees lose some softness, a few seconds in the microwave at low power can bring them back to life. Just be cautious not to overheat or the marshmallows may become sticky and sticky instead of delightfully chewy.
FAQs
Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
Absolutely! The recipe works perfectly with either 64 regular marshmallows or 8 cups of mini ones. Just melt them slowly and stir continuously for the best results.
What if I don’t have green food coloring?
If you want to skip the coloring, your Rice Krispie trees will simply be a delightful golden treat. Alternatively, you could use natural food coloring like spinach powder to achieve a green hue.
Can I substitute pretzel sticks?
Sure! While pretzel sticks add a great crunch and saltiness as ‘tree trunks,’ sturdy cookie sticks or even thin breadsticks can work in a pinch.
How do I prevent the marshmallow mixture from sticking to my spatula?
Lightly greasing your spatula or dipping it in warm water before stirring helps prevent sticking and makes mixing easier.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Just be sure your Rice Krispie cereal is labeled gluten-free and use gluten-free pretzel sticks or an alternative for the trunk. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about creating edible holiday decorations, and this Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe nails that magic with simplicity and charm. From the buttery marshmallow base to the crunchy cereal and festive finishes, each bite is a celebration. Give this recipe a try—it’s bound to become one of your favorite seasonal treats to make, share, and enjoy year after year.
Print
Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Festive Rice Krispie Christmas Trees made with classic marshmallow cereal treats, colored green and decorated with white chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, and pretzel stick trunks. Perfect for holiday parties and easy to make in under 2 hours.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 16 ounces marshmallows (about 64 regular marshmallows or 8 cups miniature marshmallows)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
- Green gel food coloring (to desired shade)
Decoration
- 12 mini pretzel sticks
- Christmas sprinkles
- 4 ounces white candy melts or white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside to prevent sticking.
- Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter and marshmallows together, stirring continuously with a silicone spatula to prevent burning. Once fully melted, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add Food Coloring and Cereal: While the mixture is still hot, stir in green gel food coloring until the desired tree green color is achieved. Immediately fold in the Rice Krispie cereal until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
- Shape the Mixture: Transfer the cereal mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover with an additional piece of parchment paper and gently but firmly press it down evenly into the pan. Let it cool at room temperature for at least one hour until completely set and firm.
- Cut Tree Shapes: Once cooled, lift the Rice Krispie block out using the parchment paper. On a cutting board, slice the rectangle in half lengthwise, then cut each strip into six triangles to form tree shapes. Carefully insert a mini pretzel stick into the base of each triangle to serve as the tree trunk.
- Melt White Chocolate: Place white candy melts or chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and melt according to package instructions at half power in the microwave, stirring until smooth.
- Decorate Trees: Transfer melted white chocolate to a freezer-safe zip-top bag, snip a corner, and drizzle over each Rice Krispie tree. Immediately sprinkle festive Christmas sprinkles over the drizzle before the chocolate sets. Allow the chocolate to cool and harden before serving.
Notes
- If parchment paper is unavailable, butter and flour the baking dish lightly or use a silicone baking mat for easy removal.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without affecting the texture.
- White candy melts can be substituted with white chocolate chips for drizzle decoration.
- The candy melts should be melted gently to avoid burning and achieve a smooth drizzle.
- Store leftover treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
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