🌲 The Cutest Edible Reese’s Christmas Trees (No Baking Required!)
By Jason Griffith
The holidays are here, and while I adore elaborate festive baking, sometimes what I really need is a no-stress, high-impact dessert. Enter these adorable Reese’s Christmas Tree Treats. They are, hands down, the easiest, most charming holiday dessert you can make—seriously, you can have a whole forest of these ready in under 30 minutes!
These treats take the beloved combination of chocolate and peanut butter from Reese’s Cups and turn them into miniature, festive masterpieces. They require zero baking, minimal ingredients, and they are genuinely fun for the whole family to assemble. If you’re looking for a simple, sweet bite that brings instant holiday cheer to your dessert table or makes for the perfect edible gift, look no further.
Why I Love This Recipe
I’ve spent countless hours perfecting complex holiday recipes, but the sheer joy and simplicity of these Reese’s trees always win me over. Here’s why this recipe has become a yearly tradition:
- Instant Gratification: From start to finish, you can have these set and ready in about 15 minutes. No oven preheating, no cooling racks, just quick assembly.
- Kid-Friendly: This is a perfect activity to get children involved in the kitchen. They love being the “decorators” and adding the sprinkles and stars.
- Showstopper on a Budget: For minimal cost and effort, these treats look incredibly impressive and professional. They’re a guaranteed conversation starter at any holiday gathering.
- No-Bake Brilliance: I’m a huge fan of no-bake desserts during the busy holiday season. If you’re with me, you’ll also love my recipe for This Edible Cookie Dough is My Favorite No-Bake Treat for Late Night Cravings—it’s pure comfort!
🍫 Ingredients for Reese’s Christmas Tree Treats
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
| Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups | 1 Bag (approx. 20-25 trees) | Use various sizes (mini and snack size) for stacking. |
| Chocolate Frosting | 1/2 cup | Serves as the “glue.” Store-bought works perfectly! |
| Green Icing/Frosting | 1 Tube or 1 cup | For decorating the “garland.” Use a star tip for best results. |
| Sprinkles or Nonpareils | As needed | Red, green, silver—your favorite “ornaments.” |
| Silver Dragees or Mini M&M’s | As needed | For the star/tree topper. |
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Swaps and Notes
- Reese’s Cups: Feel free to use white chocolate Reese’s Cups for a “snowy” tree effect. You can also swap them for Rolos or any other stackable candy cup.
- Icing: If you don’t have green icing, you can use vanilla frosting and mix in a few drops of green food coloring. A piping bag with a star tip makes them look professional, but a simple zip-top bag with the corner snipped works too!
- Frosting “Glue”: Nutella or melted chocolate chips (allowed to cool slightly) can be used instead of chocolate frosting to hold the stack together.
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Yield: Approximately 20 Trees | Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Step 1: Prep the Base
Place a small dollop of chocolate frosting on your serving platter or tray where you want the tree to stand. This will act as an anchor to keep your tree from tipping over, especially when transporting or moving them.
Step 2: Stack the Tree
Take 3–4 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups of descending size (largest on the bottom, smallest on top). Stack them, using a dab of chocolate frosting between each cup to hold them securely together. Apply gentle pressure to ensure they bond.
Step 3: Decorate the Garland
Using your green icing (with a star tip preferred), pipe a continuous swirl or small dots around the edges of each Reese’s cup “layer.” This creates the look of a festive garland draped around the tree.
Step 4: Add the Ornaments
While the green icing is still soft, sprinkle your sprinkles or nonpareils over the tree—these are your ornaments! Lightly press any larger toppings, like candy pearls, into the icing.
Step 5: Crown the Tree
Carefully place a silver dragee, gold star sprinkle, or a mini M&M right on top of the smallest Reese’s Cup to act as the tree topper.
Step 6: Set and Serve
Place the finished trees in the refrigerator for 5–10 minutes to allow the frosting “glue” to fully set. Once firm, they are ready to serve and bring holiday cheer!
✨ Tips for Success
- Chill the Cups: If your Reese’s Cups feel very soft, pop them in the freezer for 5 minutes before starting. This makes them easier to handle and stack without smushing.
- Piping is Key: While any green icing works, investing in a basic Wilton 1M star tip and a piping bag will give you that beautiful, professional, swirled “garland” look you see in the photos.
- Start with the Glue: Always apply the base frosting to your final serving surface first. If you try to move the completed trees, they are more likely to fall apart.
- For Gifting: Once fully set, you can gently wrap individual trees in small squares of clear cellophane and tie them with a festive ribbon for easy, adorable neighbor or teacher gifts.
🍹 Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These sweet, rich trees are the perfect final bite to a holiday meal.
- Holiday Beverages: Pair them with a classic cup of hot cocoa or, for an adult twist, a glass of Bailey’s over ice.
- Dessert Bar: They make a wonderful addition to a larger dessert table alongside other festive bites. Consider serving them next to These Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are My Favorite Winter Treat to Share and Savor or maybe some rich, classic The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made (and I’ve Made a Lot).
📊 Nutritional Information Per Serving
The following is an estimate based on using 3 mini Reese’s cups and standard amounts of frosting and sprinkles.
Calories: 150-180 kcal Total Fat: 9g – 12g Sugars: 15g – 20g Protein: 2g
Disclaimer: This is an estimated value for informational purposes only. Actual nutrition will vary based on brands and quantities used.
🧊 Storage and Leftover Tips
If you happen to have any leftovers (a big if!), these treats are very easy to store.
- Storage: Keep the Reese’s Christmas Tree Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
- Tip: If you store them in the fridge, let them sit out for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften the peanut butter cups and frosting for the best texture.
🎁 More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the ease and festive charm of these no-bake treats, check out these other favorites from the kitchen:
- These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs are My Favorite Sweet Obsession
- These Easy Coconut Macaroons are My Favorite 3-Ingredient Treat
⭐ Final Thoughts
These Reese’s Christmas Tree Treats embody everything the holidays should be: fun, easy, and sweet. They prove that you don’t need a fancy kitchen setup or hours of free time to create something truly magical. They are a classic for a reason and I hope they become a part of your own holiday tradition.
Did you try this recipe? Let me know how your trees turned out in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow Chef Maniac on social media for more simple, delicious holiday hacks.
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