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Close-up of festive three-layer No bake Christmas dessert bars with green frosting, sprinkles, and a mini pretzel on a wooden surface.

Festive No Bake Christmas Dessert: Salted Peanut Butter Trees

These adorable no-bake peanut butter trees combine sweet and salty layers with a vibrant green chocolate coating and festive sprinkles. A perfect easy treat for Christmas gatherings, school parties, or edible gifts!
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Course: Dessert, No Bake Treats
Cuisine: Christmas, Holiday
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed (100g)
  • ½ cup Karo Light Corn Syrup (170g)
  • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (190g)
  • ½ cup crushed pretzels (60g)
  • 1 cup quick oats (100g)
  • 2 cups crispy rice cereal (55g)
  • ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips (130g)
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter (125g)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (120g)
  • 1½ Tbsp milk (regular or plant-based)
  • 1–2 drops green gel food coloring
  • sprinkles of choice (for decorating)

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowls For base and coating preparation.
  • Saucepan Used for heating sugar and corn syrup.
  • Rubber spatula To mix and press the base.
  • 9x13-inch baking pan For chilling the base layer.
  • Parchment paper Helps remove the base easily.
  • Christmas tree cookie cutters Shapes festive trees.
  • Wire cooling rack Used for setting dipped trees.

Method
 

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine light brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir until sugar dissolves and the mixture gently boils.
  2. Remove from heat. Stir in the creamy peanut butter until fully melted and smooth.
  3. Add crushed pretzels, quick oats, and crispy rice cereal. Mix until evenly coated.
  4. Press the mixture evenly into a parchment-lined 9×13-inch pan. Chill for 1–2 hours until firm.
  5. Melt semisweet chocolate chips using a double boiler or microwave. Stir in peanut butter until smooth.
  6. 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.
  7. Cut the firm peanut butter base into tree shapes using cookie cutters. Reroll scraps if needed.
  8. Dip or spread each tree with green coating. Decorate immediately with sprinkles.
  9. Place on a rack over parchment paper and refrigerate 30+ minutes until coating sets.

Notes

Use gluten-free pretzels and oats to make this recipe gluten-free. Make sure to chill the base thoroughly before cutting into shapes for clean tree cuts.