There’s something utterly charming about these festive bites—soft, sweet, and shaped like little Christmas trees. This Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe brings cheer to any holiday table and is one of my all-time favorite no-fuss desserts to whip up with the kids or friends. Let's get into the magic behind making these delightful treats!

The image shows several triangular-shaped treats designed to look like Christmas trees. Each tree has a bright green base with a textured, crispy look. White drizzle runs diagonally across each tree, resembling garlands. Colorful sprinkles in red, green, and gold, including small stars and round shapes, decorate the trees like ornaments. Each tree has a pretzel stick at the bottom that looks like a tree trunk. The treats are placed on a white plate with a slightly wavy edge, set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats; decorating each little tree with melted chocolate and sprinkles instantly got me in the holiday spirit. What I love most is how simple ingredients come together to create such a playful and tasty centerpiece for any festive gathering!

Festive Fun: Shaping the treats into Christmas trees adds a delightful holiday vibe that’s perfect for parties and family get-togethers.
Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples like marshmallows and cereal come together effortlessly, making this a quick and approachable recipe.
Customizable Decorations: Use your favorite sprinkles, candies, or even edible glitter to make these treats uniquely yours.
Kid-Friendly Activity: Great for cooking with kids—everyone loves mixing, shaping, and decorating their own tree-shaped treats.

The image shows five Christmas tree-shaped treats on a white plate with a textured surface. Each treat is made of a green crispy rice base shaped like a triangle to form the tree. The trees are decorated with a drizzle of white icing running diagonally across each one. They are topped with small colorful sprinkles in red, green, gold, and silver, including shapes like stars and tree designs. Each tree has a pretzel stick at the bottom, acting as the trunk, sticking out from under the base. The background is a white marbled texture with small bowls and holiday decorations nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe relies on classic ingredients that work perfectly to create that iconic soft, chewy Rice Krispie treat texture with a festive twist. Each element has a purpose, and knowing why helps you make the best possible treats.

Flat lay of fresh unsalted butter slab, a pile of white marshmallows, a few drops of vibrant green gel food coloring on a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a heaping mound of puffed rice cereal, a neat bundle of whole pretzel sticks, a small white bowl filled with colorful Christmas sprinkles, melted white chocolate in a small white ceramic bowl placed elegantly, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Provides richness and helps melt the marshmallows evenly without adding saltiness that might overpower the sweetness.
Marshmallows: The glue that holds it all together—fresh, fluffy marshmallows melt down to keep the treats soft and chewy.
Green gel food coloring: Gives the treat its signature Christmas tree color without watering down the mixture like liquid food coloring can.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the sweet marshmallow flavor—don’t skip it!
Rice Krispies cereal: The crunch factor that adds texture contrast, absorbing some of the marshmallow mixture for perfect chewiness.
Pretzel sticks: These serve as the “trunks” of the Christmas trees and add a fun salty crunch.
Christmas sprinkles: For that festive finishing touch—choose colors and shapes you love to make your trees pop.
White chocolate (melted): Acts as edible glue to hold sprinkles in place and adds a creamy, sweet element to the decoration.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to switch things up by trying different colors or adding a pinch of cinnamon or peppermint extract to the marshmallow mixture for a seasonal twist. You’ll see how easy it is to personalize these treat-trees to suit your style and taste!

Variation: Once, I added a little peppermint extract and crushed candy canes on top, which was a total hit at our holiday party—adds just the right amount of festive flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Melt Butter

Start by lightly greasing a 13×9-inch baking dish or lining it with parchment paper—it makes cleanup a breeze! Then, melt your butter slowly over low heat in a large pot; this slow melting prevents burning and sets you up for smooth marshmallows.

Step 2: Melt the Marshmallows and Color the Mixture

Add the marshmallows to the melted butter and stir continuously until everything is smooth and melted together. Remove the pot from heat, stir in your green gel food coloring drop by drop to reach the perfect Christmas tree shade, then add vanilla for that extra flavor boost.

Step 3: Fold in the Rice Krispies Cereal

Honestly, folding gently is key here—you want all the cereal coated without smashing it flat. I like to fold in sections, turning the pot slowly, so the crispy texture stays intact and your treats end up nicely airy.

Step 4: Press and Let Set

Pour your mixture into the prepared dish and press it down gently. Trust me on the gentle part—pressing too hard will make your treats dense and hard rather than soft and chewy. Let these set at room temperature for at least an hour.

Step 5: Cut, Decorate, and Enjoy

Once set, slice in half horizontally, then cut into fun tree-shaped triangles. Melt the white chocolate, insert pretzel sticks into the base for “tree trunks,” pipe the chocolate onto the tops, and sprinkle with your favorite Christmas decorations. Let it all set, and you’re ready to celebrate!

Top Tip

From making these treats countless times in my kitchen, a few little nuggets make all the difference. These tips will ensure your Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats come out perfect every time.

Use Fresh Ingredients: Always check your marshmallows and cereal for freshness—stale ingredients can result in dry or crumbly treats.
Gel Food Coloring Is Best: Since liquid food coloring can thin the marshmallow mixture, gel colors give bright color without affecting texture.
Gentle Pressing: Press the mixture lightly to keep those crispy bits and maintain softness—don't pack it in.
Chocolate Tempering Optional: If you want snappier decoration but don’t want to temper chocolate, just set the chocolate well in the fridge before piping for easier handling.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love using classic red and white sprinkles and tiny edible silver balls—it mimics ornaments beautifully. Sometimes I mix in crushed candy canes or tiny colored sugar stars for an extra festive look that kids adore.

Side Dishes

Pairing these treats with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or spiced apple cider turns an afternoon snack into a holiday delight. For parties, I sometimes set them alongside a cheese board or warm gingerbread cookies for a festive spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging the trees upright on a platter with candy cane “fences” or laying them flat on parchment paper dusted with edible glitter. I’ve even tied a tiny ribbon bow around each pretzel trunk to make them look like holiday favors—guests love this little extra touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these treats in an airtight container at room temperature and they stay soft for up to a week—perfect for making ahead of a party or for a homemade gift.

Freezing

Freezing works well if you want to prep early. Wrap each treat individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to serve.

Reheating

While these treats taste best fresh, you can warm them slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften if needed. Be careful not to overheat, or the marshmallow will get too sticky.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use flavored marshmallows for this recipe?

You can, but keep in mind flavored marshmallows may alter the classic taste slightly. If you want a subtle twist, try vanilla or peppermint-flavored marshmallows for a festive touch.

Why should I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?

Gel food coloring is more concentrated and won’t thin your marshmallow mixture. Using liquid can make the treats less firm and affect texture, so gel is your best bet for vibrant color without consequences.

How long can I keep these treats fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay soft and delicious for up to one week. Avoid refrigeration, as it can dry them out.

Can I make these without pretzel sticks?

Absolutely! Pretzel sticks give a fun trunk effect but if you’re not a fan or have allergies, you can skip them or substitute with small cookie sticks or candy canes for a different look.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it feels like crafting happiness out of simple sweets and childhood memories. It’s easy, joyful, and brings a smile every time. Give it a try—you’ll love how these little treats brighten your holiday season just like they do mine!