If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat to bring some holiday cheer to your kitchen, this Festive Green Rice Krispie Christmas Tree Treats Recipe is a total winner. It’s not just regular Rice Krispies — the marshmallow mixture is tinted a lovely green, and then shaped and decorated to look just like Christmas trees. I love how simple it is to whip up, yet it really steals the show at holiday parties or family gatherings.

What makes this Festive Green Rice Krispie Christmas Tree Treats Recipe extra special is how easy it is to customize and how much joy it brings to kids and adults alike. Whenever I make these, I get so many compliments, and honestly, I love sharing that excitement with you. Whether it’s a last-minute treat or part of your holiday dessert table, these trees deliver both that classic nostalgic taste and a festive twist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The star of this recipe is the trusty Rice Krispies cereal paired with marshmallows and butter, but the green gel food coloring adds that magical holiday vibe. Grab some fun decorations too — they really bring the trees to life!

Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness and keeps the flavor balanced.
Marshmallows: Fresh marshmallows melt better, so avoid that stale bag if you can.
Green gel food coloring: Gel coloring is vibrant and won’t dilute your marshmallow mixture like liquid coloring would.
Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle depth of flavor that makes the treats taste homemade and cozy.
Rice Krispies cereal: The classic crisp base that’s central to the treat’s signature crunch.
Pretzel sticks: Perfect for tree trunks — salty contrast with sweet marshmallow.
Christmas sprinkles: To decorate and add that festive holiday sparkle.
White chocolate (melted): Great for “gluing” sprinkles on or adding snow-dusted effects.

Variations

I like to mix things up depending on mood and occasion. This recipe is a fantastic base for your own flair — don’t hesitate to experiment! Adding your personal touch makes the process more fun and keeps the magic fresh every year.

Chocolate drizzle: I once added dark chocolate drizzle over the green trees, and it was such a crowd-pleaser thanks to the rich contrast.
Nut-free version: Swap pretzel sticks for edible cookie sticks if you’re serving someone with allergies.
Mint flavor: Adding a few drops of peppermint extract to the marshmallow mix gives an extra holiday zing.
Vegan option: Use vegan marshmallows and dairy-free butter to keep it plant-based.

How to Make Festive Green Rice Krispie Christmas Tree Treats Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows

Start by melting your unsalted butter in a large pot over low heat — trust me, low and slow is key here. When the butter’s melted, toss in all the marshmallows and stir continuously so they melt smoothly without burning. This is where you can sneak in your green gel food coloring and vanilla extract; just add them in and keep stirring until the mixture is a uniform bright green. Keep an eye on it so your marshmallows don’t scorch, or you’ll taste that bitter burnt flavor.

Step 2: Mix in the Rice Krispies

Once your marshmallow mixture is perfectly melted and green, remove the pot from heat and carefully fold in the Rice Krispies cereal. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently coat all the cereal without crushing it too much. The key here is to mix thoroughly but gently — you want all those crispy bites coated with marshmallow goodness!

Step 3: Shape Your Christmas Trees

Lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray because this mixture can get sticky fast. Then, pinch off handfuls and start shaping them into little Christmas trees — I like to press down and taper the tops for a classic pine shape. Place each shaped tree onto a parchment-lined baking sheet to set. You’ll find it easier to work quickly before the mixture starts cooling and hardening.

Step 4: Decorate and Assemble

Push a pretzel stick into the base of each tree for the trunk — this adds a fun crunch and holds the “tree” up nicely. Next, drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top as “snow” and sprinkle on your Christmas sprinkles while it’s still wet. This is the part where you really get to show off your creativity. I always recommend doing the decorations right away so they stick well and look fresh.

How to Serve Festive Green Rice Krispie Christmas Tree Treats Recipe

Festive Green Rice Krispie Christmas Tree Treats Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I love using colorful Christmas sprinkles, edible glitter, and even tiny candy pearls on these trees. It makes each one feel like a little edible ornament. Sometimes I add a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy look that guests always comment on — it’s simple but charming.

Side Dishes

Since these treats are sweet and crunchy, I like pairing them with something warm like hot cocoa or spiced cider — it’s a cozy combo during chilly holiday evenings. You could also serve them alongside a fruit platter to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging the trees in a circle on a platter, placing them around a larger “star tree” made from a Rice Krispie bar shaped like a star. Wrapping the platter in clear cellophane with a red ribbon makes a fantastic gift presentation, too. Trust me, these little touches make your Festive Green Rice Krispie Christmas Tree Treats Recipe all the more magical.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover treats in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay fresh and chewy for about 3-4 days. Just make sure they aren’t squished; adding parchment sheets between layers helps preserve their shape and decorations.

Freezing

I’ve had good luck freezing individual trees wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then stored in a freezer-safe bag. When I want one later, I let it thaw at room temperature for about an hour. They don’t lose much texture and the colors stay vibrant — perfect if you want to prep ahead for a party!

Reheating

Because these treats are best fresh and chewy, I don’t recommend reheating them. But if you want to soften them slightly, a few seconds in the microwave (5-10 seconds) can help without melting decorations. Just watch closely to avoid turning them sticky or soggy.

FAQs

Can I make the Festive Green Rice Krispie Christmas Tree Treats Recipe without food coloring?

Absolutely! The food coloring is optional if you want the traditional white marshmallow look. But adding green gel really amps up the festive feel and helps the treats look like Christmas trees, so it’s something I recommend for that extra holiday touch.
How do I keep the Rice Krispie treats from sticking to my hands?

Lightly buttering your hands or using cooking spray before shaping the treats works wonders. This keeps the marshmallow mixture from sticking and makes forming the tree shapes a much easier, less sticky task.
Can I use store-bought marshmallow fluff instead of melting marshmallows?

Melting whole marshmallows gives a better consistency and flavor for the classic Rice Krispie treat texture. Marshmallow fluff is already whipped and won’t bind the cereal as well. So I stick with marshmallows for the best results.
What’s the best way to store decorated trees to keep sprinkles from falling off?

Once decorated with melted white chocolate and sprinkles, allow them to fully set at room temperature before placing them in an airtight container. Avoid stacking the treats directly on top of each other or use parchment paper in between layers to protect the decorations.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Green Rice Krispie Christmas Tree Treats Recipe is one of my absolute holiday favorites—not only because it’s quick and easy but because it sparks such joy around the kitchen table. Seeing those bright green trees decorated by the kids (and sneaking a few myself) always reminds me how food brings people together. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these treats just as much as I do—trust me, they’ll be a hit in your holiday celebrations!

Festive Green Rice Krispie Christmas Tree Treats Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 65 reviews

Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats. Buttery, gooey marshmallow treats are tinted green and shaped into charming Christmas trees, then decorated with pretzel sticks as trunks and colorful sprinkles for a cheerful finish. Perfect for holiday parties, kid-friendly gatherings, or as a fun seasonal dessert.

Author: Mary
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
16 ounces marshmallows (1 bag)
3 drops green gel food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal

Decorations

12 pretzel sticks
Christmas sprinkles (quantity as desired)
4 ounces white chocolate, melted

Instructions

Prepare the marshmallow mixture: In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter completely. Add the marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
Add color and flavor: Stir in the green gel food coloring drop by drop until you achieve a vibrant Christmas tree green color. Add the vanilla extract and mix well to incorporate flavor evenly.
Combine with cereal: Gradually add the Rice Krispies cereal to the marshmallow mixture, stirring gently but thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated without breaking the cereal.
Mold the trees: Lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray and shape the mixture into small cone-shaped Christmas trees. Set each one on a parchment-lined tray or plate.
Add decorations: Insert a pretzel stick into the bottom center of each tree to serve as the trunk. Drizzle or dip parts of the trees in melted white chocolate, then immediately sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles for festive decoration.
Let set: Allow the treats to cool and set completely at room temperature (about 30 minutes) before serving to ensure they hold their shape.

Notes

Use a large non-stick pot to prevent marshmallows from sticking and burning.
Grease your hands to make shaping easier and to prevent sticking.
For extra stability, press the pretzel stick gently but firmly into the base when shaping the trees.
Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Feel free to substitute white chocolate with colored candy melts to match various holiday color themes.

Keywords: Christmas tree treats, Rice Krispie treats, holiday desserts, marshmallow treats, festive snacks