Christmas Tree Treats

Featured in: Sweet Gatherings

These festive treats feature crunchy cereal mixed with melted marshmallows tinted green, shaped into charming Christmas trees. Each treat is decorated with colorful candies and optionally finished with pretzel trunks. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they are quick and simple to prepare, requiring just 25 minutes in total. The sweet, crunchy texture and bright decorations make them a delightful snack for family activities and celebrations.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:37:00 GMT
Festive green Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats topped with colorful candy decorations, delicious and sweet. Save
Festive green Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats topped with colorful candy decorations, delicious and sweet. | oventhyme.com

Festive, fun, and easy-to-make treats shaped like Christmas trees, perfect for holiday gatherings or family activities. These sweet, crunchy snacks are coated in green-tinted marshmallow and decorated with colorful candies.

Ingredients

  • Main Mixture: 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal, 3 cups mini marshmallows, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, Green food coloring
  • Decorations: 1/3 cup mini M&Ms or colored sprinkles, 12 small star-shaped candies or yellow M&Ms
  • Optional: 12 pretzel sticks (for tree trunks), Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper for shaping

Instructions

Step 1:
In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth.
Step 2:
Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and several drops of green food coloring until the mixture reaches your desired shade.
Step 3:
Add Rice Krispies cereal and quickly fold until fully coated.
Step 4:
Let the mixture cool for 1&2 minutes (so its not too hot to handle but still pliable).
Step 5:
Coat your hands with nonstick spray or lightly butter them. Shape the mixture into 12 cone-shaped trees.
Step 6:
If using pretzel sticks, gently insert one into the base of each tree for a trunk.
Step 7:
Decorate the trees with mini M&Ms or sprinkles as ornaments, and press a star-shaped candy or yellow M&M on top of each tree.
Step 8:
Place on parchment paper and let set at room temperature for 15&20 minutes until firm.
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Required Tools

Large saucepan, Mixing spoon, Measuring cups and spoons, Parchment paper or nonstick spray, (Optional) Star-shaped cookie cutter for candies

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (butter), gluten (if using standard pretzel sticks), and soy (in some candies). Contains possible traces of nuts and gluten depending on candy brands. Always double-check ingredient labels for allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 125, Total Fat: 3 g, Carbohydrates: 25 g, Protein: 1 g

Homemade Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats shaped like trees, ready to eat, with pretzel trunks and star candies. Save
Homemade Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats shaped like trees, ready to eat, with pretzel trunks and star candies. | oventhyme.com

These treats bring holiday cheer and are simple enough for family fun.

Kitchen Guide

What ingredients create the green color?

Green food coloring is added to melted marshmallows to give these treats their vibrant festive hue.

How do I shape the treats without sticking?

Coat your hands with nonstick spray or butter to easily mold the mixture into tree shapes without it sticking.

Can pretzel sticks be used in these treats?

Yes, pretzel sticks can be gently inserted at the base of each tree to form edible trunks, adding crunch and visual effect.

How long should the treats set before serving?

Allow the shaped treats to rest on parchment paper at room temperature for 15–20 minutes until firm and ready to enjoy.

Are there recommendations for decorating?

Mini candies like M&Ms or colorful sprinkles can be pressed onto the treats to resemble ornaments, with small star candies placed atop as tree toppers.

Christmas Tree Treats

Fun green-tinted marshmallow and cereal treats shaped as Christmas trees with candy decorations for holiday enjoyment.

Prep duration
15 min
Kitchen time
10 min
Complete duration
25 min
Created by Grace Mitchell


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Dietary requirements Meat-free

What you'll need

Main Mixture

01 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
02 3 cups mini marshmallows
03 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 Green food coloring, several drops

Decorations

01 1/3 cup mini M&Ms or colored sprinkles
02 12 small star-shaped candies or yellow M&Ms

Optional

01 12 pretzel sticks (for tree trunks)
02 Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper for shaping

Method

Phase 01

Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add mini marshmallows and stir continuously until fully melted and smooth.

Phase 02

Add Flavor and Color: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and several drops of green food coloring until uniformly tinted to your preference.

Phase 03

Combine Cereal: Quickly add the Rice Krispies cereal and fold gently until all pieces are thoroughly coated with the marshmallow mixture.

Phase 04

Cool Mixture: Allow the mixture to cool for 1 to 2 minutes to become pliable but not too hot for handling.

Phase 05

Shape Trees: Lightly grease your hands with nonstick spray or butter. Form the mixture into 12 cone-shaped trees.

Phase 06

Attach Tree Trunks: If desired, gently insert one pretzel stick into the base of each tree to serve as a trunk.

Phase 07

Decorate: Adorn each tree with mini M&Ms or colored sprinkles as ornaments. Press a star-shaped candy or yellow M&M atop each tree.

Phase 08

Set Treats: Place finished trees on parchment paper and let them set at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes until firm.

Kitchen tools needed

  • Large saucepan
  • Mixing spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Parchment paper or nonstick spray
  • Optional star-shaped cookie cutter for candies

Allergy notes

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical advice when uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (butter), gluten (standard pretzel sticks), and soy (in some candies). May contain traces of nuts and gluten depending on candy brands. Verify ingredient labels for allergens.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 125
  • Fats: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Proteins: 1 g