Get ready to create the most adorable and delicious holiday treat with this simple recipe for Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees. This no-bake dessert is the perfect festive activity for the whole family, combining salty pretzels, rich chocolate, and colorful sprinkles into a delightful Christmas snack. Whether you need a last-minute party contribution or a fun project to do with the kids, these pretzel trees are guaranteed to bring holiday cheer.
This recipe is incredibly simple, requiring just a few ingredients and minimal effort. It’s a fantastic way to create something homemade and special without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, they look absolutely charming on any dessert platter, making them a standout addition to your holiday spread. They are just as easy as our famous Rolo Pretzels but with a unique festive shape!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Festive: These treats look just like little Christmas trees and are sure to impress guests of all ages.
- No-Bake & Easy: No oven required! This is a simple melt, dip, and decorate recipe that anyone can master.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: This is the ideal recipe for getting little hands involved in the kitchen during the holidays.
- Customizable: Decorate them with your favorite sprinkles, nonpareils, or even a little star on top to make them your own.
The Magic of Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees
There’s something uniquely satisfying about creating festive treats that capture the spirit of the season. These Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees do just that. They transform simple, everyday ingredients into a whimsical and tasty decoration for your holiday table. Unlike complex cookies or cakes, this recipe offers a low-stress way to achieve a high-impact result. It’s a wonderful alternative to other no-bake desserts like our popular No-Bake Grinch Pie.
Essential Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to bring these festive trees to life. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pretzel Rods: These form the “trunk” of our Christmas trees.
- Green Candy Melts: The key to that vibrant Christmas tree color. They also melt smoothly and set up perfectly.
- Coconut Oil or Vegetable Shortening: A small amount helps thin the candy melts, making it much easier to coat the pretzels.
- Assorted Sprinkles: Use a variety of holiday-themed sprinkles, nonpareils, and sanding sugar to decorate your trees.
- Yellow Star Sprinkles: For the perfect finishing touch on top of your trees.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Chocolate
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. This is crucial to prevent the trees from sticking.
- Place the green candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Add one teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each one, until the candy is fully melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate.
Assembling Your Trees
- Lay a pretzel rod on the prepared baking sheet.
- Transfer the melted green candy to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with a small corner snipped off.
- Starting about an inch from the bottom of the pretzel rod, pipe the melted candy back and forth over the pretzel, creating a triangle shape that gets wider at the bottom to mimic a Christmas tree.
- Work quickly while the candy is still melted. If it starts to harden, you can reheat it for 15 seconds in the microwave.
Decorating Your Masterpiece
- Immediately after piping the green candy, decorate your trees with assorted sprinkles and nonpareils.
- Gently place a yellow star sprinkle at the very top of each tree.
- Let the Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees sit at room temperature for about 1 hour, or until the candy has fully hardened. You can also place them in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to speed up the process.
Expert Tips for Perfect Pretzel Trees
- Don’t Overheat the Chocolate: Candy melts can seize and become lumpy if overheated. Stick to short intervals and stir thoroughly.
- Work in Batches: If you’re making a large quantity, work in smaller batches to ensure your chocolate stays at the right consistency.
- Control the Piping: A smaller snip in your piping bag will give you more control for a neater tree shape.
- Prepare Everything First: Have your baking sheets, sprinkles, and pretzels ready before you start melting the candy.
Fun Variations to Try
While the classic green tree is a showstopper, feel free to get creative! For a different but equally delicious holiday snack, check out our White Chocolate Trash Snack Mix.
- White Christmas Trees: Use white candy melts and decorate with blue and silver sprinkles for a snowy, winter wonderland theme.
- Dark Chocolate Forest: Use dark chocolate melts and sprinkle with edible glitter for a more elegant look.
- Nutty Trees: Sprinkle finely chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds onto the melted chocolate for extra crunch and flavor.
- Peppermint Twist: Add a dash of peppermint extract to your melted chocolate or sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
How to Store Your Christmas Treats
Storing your Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees correctly is key to keeping them fresh and crisp. Place them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Store them in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks. Avoid refrigerating them for long periods, as condensation can make the pretzels soft.
FAQs About Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees
Absolutely! These are a great make-ahead treat. You can prepare them up to a week in advance of your event. Just be sure to store them properly as mentioned above.
Store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks. Avoid the refrigerator, as condensation can make the pretzels soggy.
You can thin candy melts by adding a small amount of coconut oil or vegetable shortening (about 1 teaspoon per 12 ounces of candy). Stir it in until the candy reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
Standard pretzel rods are the best choice as they provide a sturdy ‘trunk’ for the tree shape. Avoid using thin pretzel sticks, as they may break easily.
A variety works best! We recommend a mix of nonpareils, jimmies, and colored sanding sugar for different textures. Don’t forget the yellow star sprinkles for the top!
The Perfect No-Bake Holiday Recipe
These Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees are more than just a recipe; they’re a chance to create sweet holiday memories. They prove that you don’t need complex baking skills to produce something truly special and delicious. We hope you have as much fun making these as we do! If you create these festive treats, be sure to share your creations and tag us on Pinterest. We’d love to see them!
Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees
Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees: The Easiest Holiday Treat
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent sticking.
- Place the green candy melts and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each one, until the candy is completely melted and has a smooth consistency. Avoid overheating.
- Transfer the melted green candy into a piping bag or a zip-top bag and snip off a small corner.
- Place a pretzel rod on the prepared baking sheet. Starting about an inch from the bottom, pipe the candy over the pretzel in a back-and-forth motion, creating a triangle shape that widens towards the bottom.
- While the candy is still wet, immediately add your assorted Christmas sprinkles.
- Place a yellow star sprinkle at the top of each tree.
- Allow the Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees to set at room temperature for about 1 hour, or in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes, until the candy is firm.
Notes
If the candy in the piping bag starts to harden, microwave it for 10-15 seconds to re-melt.
