Christmas Tree Sweet Treats

Featured in: Seasonal Treats

These festive treats combine crunchy cereal with melted marshmallow tinted green to create fun, tree-shaped snacks. Decorated with colorful candies and optionally pretzel sticks as trunks, they are easy to shape and set quickly. Perfect for holiday gatherings or family fun, these snacks offer a sweet, playful bite that's both visually appealing and delicious. Preparation and cooking take about 25 minutes total, making them an enjoyable and accessible seasonal treat.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:07:00 GMT
Bright green Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats studded with colorful candies, perfect holiday dessert. Pin
Bright green Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats studded with colorful candies, perfect holiday dessert. | crumbkiss.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.

This recipe brings joy to our family during the holiday season and is always a hit with kids and adults alike.

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.
Homemade Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats, a festive snack with star candy toppings, ready to enjoy. Pin
Homemade Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats, a festive snack with star candy toppings, ready to enjoy. | crumbkiss.com

Making these together has created wonderful holiday memories for our family across the years.

Notes

For easier shaping work quickly and keep your hands greased You can use melted white chocolate to help decorations stick if needed Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days

Required Tools

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

Nutritional Information

Calories 125 Total Fat 3 g Carbohydrates 25 g Protein 1 g per treat

Close-up of freshly made Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats: sweet, crunchy, and perfect holiday fun. Pin
Close-up of freshly made Christmas Tree Rice Crispy Treats: sweet, crunchy, and perfect holiday fun. | crumbkiss.com

These treats are a festive addition to any holiday table and sure to delight guests.

Recipe FAQ

What cereal is used in these treats?

Rice Krispies cereal provides a crunchy texture and light base for the treats.

How is the green color achieved?

Green food coloring is added to the melted marshmallow mixture to give the treats a festive tree-like appearance.

Can the decorations be customized?

Yes, colorful mini candies and star-shaped sweets decorate the trees, but you can substitute with your favorite small candies or sprinkles.

Are pretzel sticks necessary?

Pretzel sticks are optional and used to represent tree trunks, adding a salty crunch complementing the sweet treats.

How should these treats be stored?

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to three days.

Christmas Tree Sweet Treats

Fun, crunchy treats shaped like Christmas trees with green marshmallow and candy decorations for holiday cheer.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
10 min
Complete duration
25 min


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Dietary guidelines Vegetarian

Components

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, as needed

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 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 the vanilla extract and a few drops of green food coloring until the mixture achieves the desired shade.

Phase 03

Combine with Cereal: Quickly fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until all pieces are evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.

Phase 04

Cool Mixture Briefly: Allow the mixture to cool for 1 to 2 minutes so it is warm but manageable for shaping.

Phase 05

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

Phase 06

Attach Pretzel Trunks: If using pretzel sticks, gently insert one stick into the base of each tree to serve as the trunk.

Phase 07

Decorate Trees: Press mini M&Ms or colored sprinkles onto the trees as ornaments. Top each with a star-shaped candy or yellow M&M.

Phase 08

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

Necessary tools

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

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult healthcare providers if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy from butter, gluten if standard pretzel sticks are used, soy in some candies, and potential traces of nuts and gluten depending on brands.

Nutritional breakdown (per portion)

These values are approximate guides only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 125
  • Fat: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Protein: 1 g