The holidays are a magical time, filled with warmth, joy, and delicious treats! But who wants to spend hours in the kitchen when there’s so much celebrating to do? This delightful no bake Christmas dessert offers the perfect solution. Imagine a sweet and salty peanut butter base, shaped like festive trees, coated in vibrant green chocolate. These adorable, easy-to-make treats are ideal for holiday gatherings, school parties, or a cozy night in.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll adore making this simple holiday treat for so many reasons!
- No Oven Time Needed: Skip the baking and keep your kitchen cool. This is truly a no bake Christmas dessert.
- Quick to Prepare: Mix, chill, dip, and decorate. These come together surprisingly fast.
- Fun & Festive Shape: Using Christmas tree cookie cutters adds a special holiday touch.
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of sweet peanut butter and salty pretzels is absolutely addictive.
- Kid-Friendly: Involve little ones in the assembly and decorating for a fun family activity.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this scrumptious no bake Christmas dessert. You’ll find everything you need at your local grocery store for a quick and easy prep.
For the Peanut Butter Base
- 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (170g) Karo Light Corn Syrup
- 3/4 cup (190g) creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (60g) crushed pretzels (see notes for GF option)
- 1 cup (100g) quick oats
- 2 cups (55g) crispy rice cereal
For the Green Chocolate Coating & Decorations
- 3/4 cup (130g) semisweet chocolate chips (regular or vegan)
- 1/2 cup (125g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp milk (regular or plant-based)
- 1-2 drops green gel food coloring
- Sprinkles of choice
Notes & Substitutions
For a gluten-free option, use certified gluten-free pretzels. You can swap in almond butter or cashew butter for the peanut butter, though the flavor will change. Any dairy or non-dairy milk works well for the coating. Gel food coloring provides the best vibrant green color, avoiding excess liquid. If you don’t have quick oats, old-fashioned oats can work in a pinch, but quick oats blend more smoothly.
Equipment
You won’t need anything fancy to whip up this easy Christmas treat!
- Large mixing bowls
- Saucepan
- Rubber spatula
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Christmas tree cookie cutters
- Wire cooling rack
Instructions
Making this no bake Christmas dessert is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps for a festive and delicious outcome.
Prepare the Peanut Butter Base
First, combine the light brown sugar and Karo Light Corn Syrup in a saucepan. Heat this mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar completely melts and the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Stir in the 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter until it’s fully melted and the mixture becomes smooth and well-combined. This forms the sticky, delicious base.
Next, add the crushed pretzels, quick oats, and crispy rice cereal to the peanut butter mixture. Use your rubber spatula to mix everything until the dry ingredients are thoroughly coated. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Press the entire peanut butter mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Chill the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours, or until the base is firm enough to cut. This chilling step is crucial for perfect tree shapes.
Make the Green Chocolate Coating
While the base chills, prepare your vibrant green coating. Gently melt the semisweet chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (a double boiler method) or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Once melted, stir in the 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Gradually add this powdered sugar mixture to the melted chocolate and peanut butter, stirring until completely combined. Now, add 1-2 drops of green gel food coloring. Mix well until the coating reaches a beautiful, vibrant green color. Add more coloring if you desire a deeper shade for your no bake Christmas dessert.
Assemble and Decorate
Once your peanut butter base is thoroughly chilled and firm, lift it from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Place it on a cutting board. Use your Christmas tree cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes. Reroll and cut any scraps to minimize waste.
Carefully dip each peanut butter tree into the green chocolate coating, or use a spatula to spread the coating evenly over the top and sides. Let any excess coating drip off. Immediately place the coated trees on a wire cooling rack set over a piece of parchment paper to catch drips. While the coating is still wet, liberally decorate each tree with your sprinkles of choice. This is where your no bake Christmas dessert really comes to life! Chill the decorated trees again in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate coating is completely set.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving perfect no bake Christmas dessert trees is easy with these helpful hints.
- Ensure Base is Chilled: A very firm, cold base is key for clean cookie cutter cuts.
- Prevent Sticky Hands: Lightly spray your hands with cooking spray before pressing the base into the pan.
- Smooth Coating: Sift your powdered sugar to prevent lumps in the chocolate coating.
- Adjust Food Coloring: Start with one drop of gel coloring; a little goes a long way to achieve bright green.
- Runny or Thick Coating: If too thick, add a tiny bit more milk. If too runny, add a spoonful of powdered sugar.
- Quick Sprinkle Application: Apply sprinkles immediately after coating each tree, before the chocolate sets.
- Add Salt: If using unsalted peanut butter, add a pinch of salt to the peanut butter base for enhanced flavor. Research confirms that even a small amount of salt can significantly impact flavor perception in foods, as detailed in the science behind how salt enhances sweet taste.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These delightful no bake Christmas dessert trees are as versatile as they are delicious. Festive no bake Christmas desserts like salted peanut butter trees are perfect for busy holiday schedules because they deliver all the fun and flavor of homemade treats without the stress of turning on the oven. With a chewy peanut butter and pretzel base, vibrant green chocolate coating, and playful Christmas tree shapes, these bars look impressively festive on any dessert table while still being simple enough for kids to help mix, cut, and decorate. This no bake Christmas dessert is also highly customizable: you can easily swap in gluten-free pretzels, use plant-based milk and vegan chocolate, or decorate with different sprinkles and candy to match classroom parties, cookie exchanges, or cozy movie nights at home, making it a versatile holiday favorite for every kind of celebration.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these festive treats chilled on a decorative platter at your next holiday party. They pair wonderfully with a warm mug of hot cocoa or coffee. Package them in small festive boxes as charming homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or friends.
Storage Instructions
Store your finished treats in an airtight container. Keep them refrigerated for up to 1 week to maintain freshness and prevent melting. For optimal freshness and to prevent spoilage, it’s essential to follow general cold food storage guidelines. For longer storage, you can freeze the peanut butter trees in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
Variations
Get creative with your no bake Christmas dessert! Try different cookie cutter shapes like stars or snowflakes. Experiment with other nut butters, such as almond or cashew, for unique flavor profiles. Drizzle them with melted white chocolate for an elegant touch, or incorporate crushed candy canes into the coating for a peppermint twist. You can also mix mini chocolate chips into the peanut butter base for extra chocolatey goodness.
Nutrition Information
Please note that the nutrition information provided is an estimate. It is based on standard ingredient calculations and can vary depending on specific brands and exact measurements used. This no bake Christmas dessert is a delightful treat meant to be enjoyed in moderation during the holiday season.
| Amount Per Serving |
|---|
| Calories: ~280 |
| Fat: ~16g |
| Carbs: ~30g |
| Protein: ~6g |
FAQ
You’ve got questions about this simple no bake Christmas dessert, and we have answers!
- Can I make these gluten-free? Yes, absolutely! Just ensure you use certified gluten-free pretzels and oats.
- How far in advance can I prepare them? You can prepare the peanut butter base up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Assemble and decorate closer to serving.
- Can I use other types of cereal? Crispy rice cereal is recommended for its texture, but you could experiment with cornflakes or similar plain cereals.
- Are these dairy-free friendly? Yes, by using plant-based milk and vegan chocolate chips, these treats become dairy-free.
- What if I don’t have cookie cutters? You can simply cut the chilled base into squares or rectangles with a knife, then coat and decorate them.
Conclusion
This Festive No Bake Christmas Dessert is truly a holiday hero! It’s incredibly easy to make, requires no baking, and yields adorable, delicious treats perfect for any festive occasion. With its irresistible sweet and salty flavor and vibrant green coating, these peanut butter trees will be a hit with everyone. So gather your ingredients, get creative with your sprinkles, and enjoy making this wonderful no bake Christmas dessert this season. Happy holiday baking from my kitchen to yours!
Festive No Bake Christmas Dessert: Salted Peanut Butter Trees
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine light brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir until sugar dissolves and the mixture gently boils.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the creamy peanut butter until fully melted and smooth.
- Add crushed pretzels, quick oats, and crispy rice cereal. Mix until evenly coated.
- Press the mixture evenly into a parchment-lined 9×13-inch pan. Chill for 1–2 hours until firm.
- Melt semisweet chocolate chips using a double boiler or microwave. Stir in peanut butter until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Add to chocolate mixture. Stir in green food coloring until desired shade is reached.
- Cut the firm peanut butter base into tree shapes using cookie cutters. Reroll scraps if needed.
- Dip or spread each tree with green coating. Decorate immediately with sprinkles.
- Place on a rack over parchment paper and refrigerate 30+ minutes until coating sets.
Notes
Emily Thompson is a home cook and food enthusiast who believes that great meals bring families together. She loves exploring creative twists on classic American comfort food, always testing new ideas in her kitchen. Emily is passionate about sharing simple, practical recipes and time-saving tips to help busy people enjoy cooking at home. Her approachable style makes every dish accessible, delicious, and perfect for those seeking inspiration for everyday meals and special occasions. Find Emily’s latest creations and kitchen wisdom on yumeasymeals.com.
