Christmas Tree Treats

The holiday season is a magical time filled with family traditions, and what better way to celebrate than with delightful Christmas Tree Treats? This charming recipe combines fresh strawberries, chocolate, peanut butter, and cream cheese in a playful way that not only pleases the palate but is also visually stunning. Perfect for holiday parties or as a festive dessert for family gatherings, these treats are sure to spread cheer!

Reasons to try it

You’ll absolutely love creating these Christmas Tree Treats for several reasons. Firstly, they are a fun, interactive dessert that even kids can help make, turning simple cooking into a festive activity. This recipe is also incredibly versatile, making it suitable for various occasions, from holiday celebrations to cozy family nights. With a combination of fruity, creamy, and chocolatey flavors, each bite offers a delicious surprise.

"These Christmas Tree Treats were a hit at our family gathering! They were not only fun to make but also a showstopper on the dessert table." – Sarah J.

How this recipe comes together

Creating Christmas Tree Treats is a whimsical journey through the kitchen! You’ll be dipping strawberries, mixing treats, and decorating with colorful candies, making the process enjoyable from start to finish. You’ll prepare several components – from fruity strawberries to rich chocolate treats and creamy cake balls – all of them culminating in a festive and satisfying dessert spread. Let’s dive into the ingredients!

What you’ll need

To make these delightful Christmas Tree Treats, gather the following ingredients:

• 2 pounds fresh strawberries, plus 18 extra large strawberries
• 24 ounces dark green candy melts
• 1 frosted oatmeal cookie (you’ll need 18 cookies)
• 1/4 cup multi-colored nonpareils
• 18 yellow star candies
• 1/2 cup salted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or a combination with milk chocolate chips)
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips or pieces
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or pieces
• 1 teaspoon shortening, divided in half
• 18.3 ounces brownie mix, prepared according to box directions
• 18 mini candy canes (hook removed)
• 1/4 cup salted sweet cream butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla flavoring
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 4 to 6 drops forest green food coloring
• 12 candy star decorations (optional)
• Multi-colored candy confetti (optional)
• Nonpareils (optional)
• 10 Little Debbie vanilla Christmas tree snack cakes, unwrapped
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 20 ounces white chocolate melting wafers
• 6 ounces red vanilla flavored melting candy wafers
• 1 tablespoon green sanding sugar sprinkles

These ingredients combine to create a dessert that’s fun and festive, with plenty of opportunities for substitution if you want to personalize your treats!