There’s something about the smell of buttery marshmallows melting into crispy cereal that just screams holiday magic. This Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is not only adorable but also ridiculously easy and fun to make with kids or friends. Plus, they taste just as delightful as they look!

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’ve made these Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats every year since I can remember, and they never fail to put a smile on everyone’s faces. They’re festive, easy, and a perfect way to get creative during the holidays.

Super Simple: You only need a handful of ingredients and minimal hands-on time, making it stress-free.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating the trees with sprinkles and pretzels turns this into a joyful activity for all ages.
Festive and Cute: These treats add an instant holiday vibe both on the dessert table and in your kitchen.
Deliciously Soft: Pressed gently, the treats stay chewy and melt-in-your-mouth perfect.

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

Each ingredient plays a special role in making these Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats just right. I recommend using fresh marshmallows and crisp Rice Krispies to keep the texture light and not too hard.

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: Melts smoothly and adds richness without overpowering the sweetness.
Marshmallows: The key for that gooey, dreamy texture—freshness here is crucial!
Green Gel Food Coloring: Gives you a vibrant, candy-apple green that looks so fun and festive.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle depth of flavor, making the treats taste homemade and comforting.
Rice Krispies Cereal: Provides the classic crispy crunch that contrasts perfectly with the soft marshmallow blend.
Pretzel Sticks: These act as the “tree trunks” and give a salty kick that balances the sweetness.
Christmas Sprinkles: Fancy up your treats with colorful sprinkles to add texture and holiday cheer.
White Chocolate: Melts beautifully for “glue” to hold decorations and add a creamy finish.

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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 love to tweak this Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe depending on who I’m making it for. Sometimes I add peppermint extract instead of vanilla, giving it a seasonal twist. You can easily swap sprinkles for mini chocolate chips or crushed candy canes for extra festive flair.

Variation: Once, I tried using dark chocolate instead of white, and it gave a rich contrast to the green trees that everyone adored.
Dietary Modification: For gluten-free friends, just make sure to pick gluten-free crispy rice cereal—many brands offer this now.
Color Fun: Use different shades of green or even add edible glitter for a sparkly effect that kids go nuts over.

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

Step 1: Melting That Buttery Marshmallow Magic

Start by lightly greasing a 13×9-inch baking dish or lining it with parchment paper so your treats don’t stick. Then, melt the butter in a large pot over low heat—it’s important to keep the heat low so nothing burns. Add the marshmallows and stir continuously until they’re completely smooth and melted. This step sets the stage for that perfect texture, so patience really pays off here.

Step 2: Adding Color and Flavor

Remove the pot from heat and quickly stir in the green gel food coloring and vanilla extract. I like adding the color here because it blends evenly without streaks. The vanilla adds a warm undertone that balances out all that sugary sweetness.

Step 3: Mixing in the Crispy Crunch

Now fold in the Rice Krispies cereal gently but thoroughly—make sure every kernel is coated in that marshmallow delight. Then pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Press it down gently; I usually use a piece of parchment paper or a spatula to avoid packing it too tightly. This way, your treats stay soft instead of turning hard and chewy.

Step 4: Setting and Slicing

Let your rice krispie base set at room temperature for at least one hour. This patience is key! Once firm, slice the treats horizontally in half, then cut each half into triangle shapes to resemble little Christmas trees. This part is so satisfying—watching those cute trees come to life!

Step 5: Decorating with Chocolate, Pretzels & Sprinkles

Melt your white chocolate according to package directions, then carefully stick one pretzel into the base of each triangle—the perfect “tree trunk.” Use the melted white chocolate like glue to pipe onto each tree and sprinkle your Christmas sprinkles while it’s still wet. Let these set, and you’re ready to dig in or gift!

Top Tip

From countless batches, I’ve learned a few things that make this Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe foolproof and festive every time!

Gentle Pressing: Don’t press the mixture too firmly into the pan—you want soft, chewy treats, not rock-hard blocks.
Fresh Ingredients Matter: Using fresh marshmallows and cereal makes a huge difference in texture and flavor.
Work Quickly With Chocolate: Melt your white chocolate just before decorating so it’s fluid and smooth for piping and sticking pretzels in place.
Use Parchment Paper: Line your pan for easy removal and cleaner edges when slicing your tree shapes.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with red, green, and white sprinkles — they echo classic Christmas colors and add festive charm. Sometimes I sprinkle edible glitter or crushed peppermint for a little sparkle and an extra holiday punch.

Side Dishes

These treats pair wonderfully with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a mug of spiced cider. For parties, I like setting them alongside gingerbread cookies and peppermint bark to round out a festive dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging your Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats on a large platter sprinkled with coconut “snow” or crushed candy canes for an extra festive look. Wrapping individual treats in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon makes lovely edible gifts that delight both kids and adults.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps them soft and chewy for up to one week. Just be sure not to leave them in humid environments, or they might get sticky.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these treats before by wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer bag. When thawed, they keep their texture surprisingly well—just let them come to room temp before serving.

Reheating

While I don’t typically reheat Rice Krispie Treats, if you want to soften them a bit, a few seconds in the microwave with a damp paper towel nearby does the trick. Just be careful not to overdo it, or they’ll turn gooey.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these treats ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the rice krispie base a day or two in advance and decorate them before serving, or you can fully assemble them up to a day ahead and store in an airtight container.

What’s the best way to get perfect triangle shapes?

Using a sharp knife and parchment paper helps a lot. Cut the treats while they’re set but not too hard, and wipe your knife clean between cuts for clean edges.

Can I substitute something for the pretzel sticks?

Sure! Pretzel sticks work great as tree trunks for stability and a salty crunch, but you can use candy canes, or lollipop sticks depending on your preference and presentation idea.

How do I keep the treats soft and not too hard?

The key is to press the mixture gently into the pan and avoid overcooking the marshmallows. Also, storing them in an airtight container at room temperature prevents drying out.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something so heartwarming about whipping up this Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats Recipe each holiday season. It’s simplicity meets nostalgia with a sprinkle of festive fun. I honestly can’t recommend making these enough—they bring smiles to faces young and old, and they disappear fast every time I make them! So grab your green food coloring and pretzels and get ready to make your holiday season a little sweeter (and crunchier!).