You’ll love this simple Christmas Tree Pretzels recipe! Pretzel sticks are drizzled with green melting chocolate in the shape of a Christmas tree and decorated with sprinkles. A fun holiday treat for kids and adults, that's super quick and easy to make!
We all know that Christmas is coming which means baking season is in full swing!
But what about those who don't want to bake?
This easy no-bake Christmas tree pretzels recipe is the perfect dessert to make when you are short on time, need something festive, and don’t want to turn on the oven.
Pretzel sticks are laid out on parchment and drizzled with green colored chocolate (candy melts) to make a festive Christmas tree.
Decorate them with stars and sprinkles for a festive platter at any holiday party or gathering!
This recipe is so simple, but it makes such a cute gift for friends and family during the holidays.
Make them as gifts or keep them all to yourself – either way, they’re sure to be a hit and are a great holiday activity to make with kids!
Be sure to also try Peppermint Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Brownies, and Gingerbread Brownie Bites for a festive treat!
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Why Make This Recipe
No baking is required to make this festive holiday treat.
You can decorate them in many different ways using sprinkles and other Christmas treat decor.
Make them from scratch in just 1 hour or less including cooling time.
They make great gifts for family and friends or great decorations for holiday baked goods.
They're an easy way to get small children involved with holiday recipes!
Ingredients
- Green Melting Chocolate - Candy melts are sold in many different variations of colors. You’ll need green melting chocolate to resemble a green Christmas tree.
- Coconut Oil - When melted into the candy melts, coconut oil tempers the chocolate giving it a smooth texture that can easily be drizzled onto the pretzels.
- Pretzel Sticks - Find pretzel sticks in the snack section of your local grocery store. This helps create the root of the Christmas tree while giving it a crunchy and salty taste.
- Sprinkles - Use your favorite colored holiday sprinkles to decorate the Christmas trees to make them even more festive.
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full quantities.
Instructions
Wondering how to make this Pretzel Christmas Tree recipe? It's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Prepare baking sheets: The pretzel Christmas trees will lay on parchment paper as they cool and set. This will help them easily remove without sticking. Before melting the chocolate, add parchment paper to 2 baking sheets.
Melt the chocolate: Microwave the candy melts in 30-second intervals and stir each time until fully melted. Alternatively, add the candy melts to a bowl along with the coconut oil. Place the bowl on top of simmering water and continuously stir until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
Add chocolate to the piping bag: Let the chocolate cool slightly, then add it to a piping bag or a Ziploc bag with the end cut off to allow for drizzle.
Assemble the pretzel Christmas trees: To the prepared baking sheets, add the pretzel sticks 2 inches apart in rows. Pipe a pine tree shape ⅓ up the pretzel stick making sure to taper the shape towards the top.
Decorate the Christmas trees: While the chocolate is still wet, add the sprinkles and decorations as desired.
Cool and serve: Allow the trees to cool completely before carefully removing them from the baking sheet before serving.
Cook's Tips
You can use the microwave to melt the chocolate instead of a double boiler. Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals and stir each time until fully melted. Make sure you keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
Decorate the trees quickly after shaping the Christmas trees as this is the only time where the decorations will stick properly.
To cool the pretzel trees quickly, add the sheet pans to the freezer or fridge until the chocolate is set and solid. If you plan on using the freezer, only keep them in there until the chocolate is set to avoid the pretzels from becoming soggy.
If you're feeling fancy, you could make your own candy melts.
Variations
Vegetable shortening or butter can be used as a substitution for coconut oil in the melting chocolate.
You can use white chocolate and add your favorite food coloring to make multi-colored Christmas trees.
Sprinkle some chopped nuts and dried fruit on top for a healthier version of Christmas tree pretzels.
Add a few drops of vanilla extract, maple, or almond extract to give the melting chocolate additional flavor.
Make a very large tree as a centerpiece using the same method except using large pretzel logs as the root of the tree.
Storage & Freezing
Storing: Store these chocolate-covered pretzel sticks in an airtight container or bag for up to 1 week in a cool and dry place.
Freezing: Freezing these pretzels will make them soggy once thawed. Therefore, freezing is not recommended.
FAQs
If you’re going to use icing, make sure it will harden properly and not break easily. Melting chocolate is recommended.
You can use popsicle sticks or lollipop sticks to make this recipe instead of a pretzel stick.
When in season, your local grocery store may have Christmas decorating ingredients. Otherwise, try finding unique decorations online.
More Christmas recipes
We hope that you love this tasty Christmas Tree Pretzels recipe! Be sure to also check out these other Christmas recipes too!
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📖 Recipe
Pretzel Christmas Trees
Equipment
- Cookie sheet
- Piping bag
Ingredients
- 12 oz green candy melts
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 30 pretzel sticks not rods
- 3 tablespoons sprinkles
Instructions
- Line 2 cookie sheets with baking parchment paper.
- Microwave the candy melts with the coconut oil in 30-second intervals and stir each time until fully melted. Alternatively, add the candy melts and coconut oil to a double boiler over simmering water and stir until it’s all melted together.Stir until it’s smooth.
- Allow it to cool slightly and add to a piping bag with a small tip (or a ziploc bag and cut a small opening in the tip)
- Add the pretzel sticks to the tray in rows, leaving at least 2 inches between each one.
- Pipe a tree shape starting in the middle of the stick, tapering towards the top of the stick.
- Before it cools, add the sprinkles so they stick.
- Allow the trees to completely cool before peeling from the wax or parchment paper.
Notes
- You can use the microwave to melt the chocolate instead of a double boiler. Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals and stir each time until fully melted. Make sure you keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
- Decorate the trees quickly after shaping the Christmas trees as this is the only time where the decorations will stick properly.
- To cool the pretzel trees quickly, add the sheet pans to the freezer or fridge until the chocolate is set and solid. If you plan on using the freezer, only keep them in there until the chocolate is set to avoid the pretzels from becoming soggy.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Brandy
This is such a fun idea! Simple, yet you get to be as creative as you want! Love how festive these are! Definitely a great little holiday treat!
Jenn
LOVING how cute and simple these Christmas trees are! Great as a cupcake topper or snack all on it's own!