There's something extra sweet about holiday treats that are fun to make and just as fun to eat, and these Peanut Butter Christmas Trees are exactly that. With a crunchy, chewy base and a smooth chocolate layer on top, this easy no-bake treat brings festive cheer without ever turning on the oven.
Perfect for parties, cookie platters, or a cozy night of holiday baking, these cute tree-shaped bars are a delicious way to add a little magic to your Christmas season.
Jump To
- Ingredients for Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
- How to Make Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
- Pro Tips for Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
- Storing Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
- Variations for Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
- Best Dishes to Pair with Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
- Simple Peanut Butter Christmas Trees for Holidays
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These homemade bars are a great alternative to Reese Peanut Butter Christmas Trees, giving you the same sweet, peanut-buttery flavor, made fresh in your own kitchen.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
Here's everything you'll need to make these easy no-bake Peanut Butter Christmas Trees, from the chewy peanut butter base to the festive toppings that make them shine.
Peanut Butter Bars
- Light brown sugar: Adds a cozy caramel sweetness to the peanut butter base.
- Corn syrup: Helps bind everything together and gives the bars a soft, chewy texture.
- Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient, bringing rich and smooth peanut flavor.
- Crushed pretzels: A little crunch and saltiness to balance the sweetness.
- Quick oats: Adds body and heartiness to the mixture.
- Crispy rice cereal: adds a light, airy crunch to the bars.
Chocolate Topping
- Semisweet chocolate chips: Melts into a silky layer of chocolate peanut goodness.
- Creamy peanut butter: Blends into the chocolate for the perfect sweet-and-salty topping.
Decoration
- Powdered sugar: Makes the icing light, sweet, and smooth.
- Milk: Thins the icing to the perfect drizzle consistency.
- Green gel food coloring: Turns the icing into a bright, festive green.
- Sprinkles: Adds a fun, candy-like touch to your Christmas trees.
How to Make Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
Making these Peanut Butter Christmas Trees is simple, fun, and doesn't require an oven-perfect for the busy holiday season. Each step builds layers of sweet, salty, and chocolatey goodness, ending with a festive tree shape that's sure to impress family and friends.
Mix the Crunchy Base: In a large bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, quick oats, and crispy rice cereal. This will be the crunchy, chewy foundation of your Christmas trees.
Heat the Sweet Mixture: In a small saucepan over low heat, stir together the corn syrup and light brown sugar. Let the mixture bubble gently for about a minute, then remove from the heat and stir in the creamy peanut butter until smooth.
Combine Everything: Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the cereal mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly and create a sticky, delicious base.
Press into the Pan: Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Firmly press the mixture into the pan, smoothing it into an even layer. Set it aside while you prepare the topping.
Make the Chocolate Topping: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. Pour it over the peanut butter base and spread evenly.
Chill Until Set: Place the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or in the freezer for 20-30 minutes, until the bars are firm and easy to cut.
Cut into Trees: Once the bars are set, lift them out of the pan. Cut down the center, then slice each half into five triangles to create tree shapes.
Add the Festive Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to make the icing. Stir in a few drops of green gel food coloring for that classic Christmas tree look. Add the icing to a piping bag and pipe zigzag lines across each tree, then decorate with your favorite sprinkles.
Enjoy Your Holiday Treats: Serve and enjoy these no-bake Peanut Butter Christmas Trees with family and friends!
Pro Tips for Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
A few smart tricks can make your Peanut Butter Christmas Trees look and taste amazing.
If the base feels too soft, chill it for a few minutes before cutting, this keeps the edges sharp and clean. Lining the pan with parchment paper makes lifting the bars a breeze and avoids any sticky mess.
Melt the chocolate slowly in short microwave bursts, stirring between each. Don't overheat it, or it may seize. Swap semisweet for milk chocolate if you like it sweeter.
For an extra boost, drizzle a little peanut butter over the chocolate layer before decorating. This also gives them that rich flavor reminiscent of Reese Peanut Butter Christmas Trees.
Storing Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
These no-bake Peanut Butter Christmas Trees are easy to store and perfect for making ahead.
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. To freeze, layer parchment between each tree, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze.
When ready to serve, let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Since this is a no-bake dessert, there's no real "reheating" needed, just thaw and enjoy. The sweet peanut butter and chocolate flavor stays rich and creamy, much like Reese Peanut Butter Christmas Trees, even after chilling.
Variations for Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
One of the best parts about these Peanut Butter Christmas Trees is how easy they are to customize. You can change the flavors, toppings, or shapes to match your holiday style.
For a sweeter touch, use milk chocolate or white chocolate instead of semisweet. If you love a little crunch, mix in chopped peanuts or mini M&Ms with the base.
You can even drizzle caramel or more peanut butter over the chocolate layer for extra flavor. Not into trees? Use star or bell cookie cutters for a fun twist on the classic shape. Or keep it simple by shaping them into bars for a quick Reese's Peanut Butter Christmas Trees-inspired treat.
Best Dishes to Pair with Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
These no-bake Peanut Butter Christmas Trees make a perfect addition to any holiday spread.
They pair beautifully with hot cocoa, peppermint mochas, or a warm cup of pumpkin-flavored coffee. Add them to a holiday dessert board alongside sugar cookies, chocolate bark, or fudge for a festive touch.
They're also a sweet complement to savory holiday appetizers, making them a crowd-pleasing treat at parties and cookie exchanges.
Final Thoughts
These Peanut Butter Christmas Trees are the perfect blend of sweet, salty, and festive. With their no-bake simplicity and fun, tree-shaped design, they're a treat anyone can make and that everyone will love.
Whether you're gifting them, serving them on a dessert platter, or enjoying them with a cozy drink, they have that nostalgic Reese's Peanut Butter Christmas Trees flavor with a homemade touch.
FAQ
You can, but it's best to use creamy peanut butter for the smoothest texture and best results. Natural peanut butter can separate and make the bars a bit crumbly, so if you use it, be sure to stir it well before mixing.
These treats are perfect for making ahead of time! You can make them up to a week in advance and store them in the fridge. The chocolate peanut butter topping stays firm, and the peanut butter base keeps its chewy texture.
We love using semisweet chocolate chips for a classic chocolate peanut flavor, but milk chocolate or dark chocolate works too. If you want a sweeter, candy-like finish, milk chocolate is a great choice. Pair it with smooth peanut butter for that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth layer.
Absolutely! Instead of shaping the mixture into trees, simply press it into a lined pan, add the chocolate peanut butter topping, and chill. Once it's set, you can serve the bars as they are-no cutting or decorating required. It's the easiest way to make this recipe if you're short on time.
Simple Peanut Butter Christmas Trees for Holidays
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Bars
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup corn syrup
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup crushed pretzels
- 1 cup quick oats
- 2 cups crispy rice cereal
Chocolate Topping
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
Decoration
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon milk
- 1-2 drops green gel food coloring
- Sprinkles of choice
Instructions
- Mix the Crunchy Base: In a large bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, quick oats, and crispy rice cereal. This will be the crunchy, chewy foundation of your Christmas trees.
- Heat the Sweet Mixture: In a small saucepan over low heat, stir together the corn syrup and light brown sugar. Let the mixture bubble gently for about a minute, then remove from the heat and stir in the creamy peanut butter until smooth.
- Combine Everything: Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the cereal mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly and create a sticky, delicious base.
- Press into the Pan: Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Firmly press the mixture into the pan, smoothing it into an even layer. Set it aside while you prepare the topping.
- Make the Chocolate Topping: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. Pour it over the peanut butter base and spread evenly.
- Chill Until Set: Place the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or in the freezer for 20-30 minutes, until the bars are firm and easy to cut.
- Cut into Trees: Once the bars are set, lift them out of the pan. Cut down the center, then slice each half into five triangles to create tree shapes.
- Add the Festive Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to make the icing. Stir in a few drops of green gel food coloring for that classic Christmas tree look. Add the icing to a piping bag and pipe zigzag lines across each tree, then decorate with your favorite sprinkles.
- Enjoy Your Holiday Treats: Serve and enjoy these no-bake Peanut Butter Christmas Trees with family and friends!
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