Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe

Introduction

These Rice Krispie Christmas Trees are a festive and fun treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, chewy, and beautifully decorated, they are easy to make with simple ingredients and are sure to delight kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
• 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
• 12 pieces mini pretzel sticks
• Christmas sprinkles
• 4 ounces white candy melts or white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Step 1: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside.
2. Step 2: In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter and marshmallows together, stirring continuously with a silicone spatula. Once melted, add the vanilla extract and stir quickly.
3. Step 3: Turn off the heat. While the marshmallow mixture is still hot, stir in green gel food coloring until you reach your desired tree color. Immediately fold in the Rice Krispie cereal until well combined.
4. Step 4: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Place another piece of parchment paper on top and gently press down firmly to even out the mixture. Let it cool completely for at least one hour.
5. Step 5: Once cooled, lift the treats out by the parchment paper. On a cutting board, cut the rectangle in half lengthwise, then cut each long piece into six triangles to form tree shapes. Carefully insert a pretzel stick into the base of each triangle as the tree trunk.
6. Step 6: Melt the white candy melts or chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl following the package directions, typically at half power until smooth. Place the melted chocolate into a freezer-safe zip-top bag, snip a small corner, and drizzle over each tree. Immediately sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles. Allow the chocolate to cool and set before serving.

Tips & Variations

• If you don’t have parchment paper, lightly grease your baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
• For more vibrant green trees, add the gel food coloring gradually until you reach the perfect shade.
• Try using different colored sprinkles or edible glitter for extra festive fun.
• You can substitute white candy melts with white chocolate chips for a smoother drizzle.

Storage

Store the Rice Krispie Christmas Trees in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigeration as it can make the treats hard and less chewy. Reheat slightly in the microwave for a few seconds if you prefer them softer.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

Yes, but gel food coloring is preferred because it provides more vibrant color without making the mixture too wet or sticky.

How do I prevent the marshmallow mixture from sticking to my hands?

Lightly butter or spray your hands with cooking spray before handling the marshmallow mixture to keep it from sticking while shaping or pressing.

Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.9 from 70 reviews

• Author: Lana
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

These festive Rice Krispie Christmas Trees are a fun and delicious holiday treat. Soft marshmallow-coated cereal is shaped into vibrant green tree triangles, adorned with pretzel stick trunks, and decorated with drizzled white chocolate and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties or to share with family and friends.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 16 ounces marshmallows (about 64 regular marshmallows or 8 cups of miniature marshmallows)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
• Green gel food coloring (as needed for desired tree color)

Decorations

• 12 mini pretzel sticks
• Christmas sprinkles (quantity as desired)
• 4 ounces white candy melts or white chocolate chips

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the pan: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside. This will prevent the Rice Krispie mixture from sticking.
2. 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 avoid burning. Once melted and smooth, stir in the vanilla extract quickly.
3. Add food coloring and cereal: Turn off the heat and immediately stir in green gel food coloring until the mixture reaches your desired shade of green. Then quickly add the Rice Krispie cereal and stir until everything is evenly combined.
4. Press mixture into pan: Transfer the green Rice Krispie mixture into the prepared baking dish. Place an extra piece of parchment paper over the top and gently but firmly press the mixture flat into the pan to create an even layer. Let it cool completely for at least one hour.
5. Cut into tree shapes: Lift the cooled Rice Krispie block out of the pan using the parchment paper. Place it on a cutting board and cut the rectangle in half lengthwise. Then cut each long piece into six triangles to form holiday tree shapes. Carefully insert a mini pretzel stick at the base of each triangle to serve as the tree trunk.
6. Melt white chocolate and decorate: Place white candy melts or white chocolate chips in a small heatproof bowl. Melt according to package instructions at half power until smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate into a freezer zip-top bag, snip a small corner, and drizzle the chocolate over each tree. Immediately sprinkle Christmas sprinkles on top. Allow the chocolate to cool and set before serving.

Notes

• If you don’t have parchment paper, grease the baking dish generously with butter or non-stick spray.
• Use gel food coloring for more vibrant green without affecting the texture of the marshmallow mixture.
• Mini pretzel sticks provide the perfect size for tree trunks, but regular pretzels can be cut to fit.
• The white chocolate drizzle can be substituted with colored melts or icing for different decoration options.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Rice Krispie Treats, Christmas Treats, Holiday Snacks, Festive Desserts, Marshmallow Treats, No Bake Desserts, Christmas Tree Snacks