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Adorable Rice Krispie Christmas trees

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Perfect for the holiday season, these Rice Krispie Christmas Trees are a delightful way to celebrate. No one will be able to resist this festive, easy, and tasty treat, guaranteed to become a family favorite!

My favorite holiday desserts look fancy but are actually really simple to make. And that perfectly describes these Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats!

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Just add food coloring and sprinkles to the classic Rice Treats recipe, you can make these festive Christmas trees. So try these this year if you are looking for a low-effort, no-bake dessert that looks spectacular.

Both kids and adults will enjoy making these trees, and they are easy to customize with your favorite decorations. And I include all my best tips, so you don’t get too sticky with marshmallow goo! But be warned, some stickiness is inevitable!

Looking for more fun food ideas and festive recipes? Check out my Rice Krispie Wreaths and Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies treats.

🧈Key Ingredients

For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below

Trees

  • Butter
  • Marshmallows – I prefer to use mini marshmallows.
  • Vanilla extract
  • Green food coloring
  • Rice Krispies cereal
Ingredients for making rice krispie christmas trees.

Decorations

Use your imagination here! You can use whatever decorative elements you have on hand or try these suggestions.

  • Assorted Sprinkles
  • Sixlets
  • Mini M&M’s candies – Check a convenience store if you can’t find them at your grocery store.
  • Powdered Sugar – For snowy trees.
  • White decorator icing
  • Mini Peanut Butter Cups or Tootsie Rolls – To make a tree trunk.

🥣How to Make Rice Krispie Christmas Trees

  1. Melt Butter and Marshmallows – Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Then stir in the marshmallows until they are completely melted.
melting the butter.
Melt butter
adding the marshmallows.
Add marshmallows
  1. Add Green Color – Stir in vanilla. Then add green food color, a little at a time, until you reach a lovely bright green.
  2. Mix Cereal – Put the cereal in a bowl and pour the marshmallow mixture over top. Stir until it is evenly coated and green.
adding the food coloring.
Add food coloring
adding the cereal.
Add to cereal
  1. Cool Slightly – Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes so you can handle it without burning your hands.
  2. Shape Trees – Spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray. Take a 1/2 cup of the cereal mixture and press it into a cone shape for a tree. Use firm pressure so they stick together. Continue to make trees until you use up the mixture.
rolling the cereal mix into a ball.
Make a balls
making the trees.
Shaped trees

🎄How to Decorate the Trees

You can either decorate the Rice Krispie Christmas trees immediately, taking advantage of the stickiness to attach candy and sprinkles. Or let them sit for 60 minutes to harden, and then attach decorations with icing. I prefer the less messy method of waiting and using icing!

If decorating right away, roll them in sprinkles or gently press candies, like M&Ms or Sixlets, into the trees. Or sprinkle powdered sugar over the top for a dusting of snow.

Christmas tree treat with powdered sugar.
Tree with powdered sugar
bunch of Rice krispie Christmas trees after decorating.
Decorating with icing

Or let them rest for 60 minutes, making them easier to handle. Dab small dots of white frosting onto the trees. Add candies to each drop.

You can also use the frosting to make garlands of white and add sprinkles to the garlands. Use the icing to attach a mini peanut butter cut or tootsie roll to the bottom for a tree trunk.

💭How to Store

These Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats will taste best when they are fresh. They will keep tightly covered in an airtight container for about 2 days. After that, they tend to get hard.

Closeup of rice krispie christmas trees.

⭐Tips for Making the Best Christmas Trees

Be sure to check out the step by step instructions

  • Check a convenience store if you can’t find mini M&Ms at your grocery store.
  • Don’t worry about making all the trees the same size.
  • Make sure you spray or butter your hands before shaping, or you will end up with a sticky mess.
  • You can also roll them into balls and call them ornaments. This can be easier for young kids than a Christmas tree shape.
  • For less messy decorating, let them harden for an hour and attach decorations with icing.

Did You Make This? Leave a Star Rating!

grouping of rice krispie christmas trees on a cutting board.
5 from 2 votes

Rice Krispie Christmas Trees Recipe

Published By Anne
These adorable Rice Krispie Christmas Trees are sure to put a smile on anyone's face this holiday season. Perfect for holiday party, and simple to make.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 15
Print Save Rate Pin

Ingredients
 

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
  • 10 ounces marshmallows
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Green food coloring
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Decorations

  • Sprinkles
  • Mini M&M’s candies or Sixlets
  • Powdered sugar for snow
  • White decorator icing
  • Mini Peanut Butter Cup or Tootsie Roll for trunk

Instructions

  • Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Or, put the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Then microwave the butter for 1 minute. Stir and continue to microwave in 30-second intervals until melted.
    ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
    10 ounces marshmallows
  • Remove the marshmallow mixture from the heat and add in vanilla extract. Then add a few drops of green food coloring. Mix, adding more food coloring until you reach the desired shade of green.
    ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, Green food coloring
  • Put the Rice Krispies cereal in bowl. Add the marshmallow mixture and stir until it is evenly coated.
    6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • Let it cool for about 5 minutes or until you can easily handle the mixture.
  • Spray your hands with nonstick spray and shape about ⅓ – ½ cup of the Rice Krispie mixture into a cone/tree shape. Press them together firmly.
  • Set on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining mixture.
  • The trees will still be sticky. You can decorate them right away or wait until they harden.
  • To decorate them right away, roll the trees in sprinkles. Or gently push M&Ms or Sixlets into the trees for ornaments. Sprinkle them with powdered sugar for a snowy look.
    Sprinkles, Mini M&M’s candies or Sixlets, Powdered sugar
  • Or let the Christmas trees harden for about 60 minutes. Then use small dabs of white icing to attach candy to the trees. Use the frosting to add garlands.
    White decorator icing
  • Add a candy star on top of the trees. Or use a mini peanut butter cup or tootsie roll and attach a trunk on the bottom.
    Mini Peanut Butter Cup or Tootsie Roll

Notes

  • Check a convenience store if you can’t find mini M&Ms at your grocery store.
  • Make sure you spray or butter your hands before shaping, or you will end up with a sticky mess.
  • You can also roll them into balls and call them ornaments. This is easier for young kids than a Christmas tree shape.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 840IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition facts are estimates.

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Lots of Christmas tree treats arranged in a group.
anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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