Christmas Tree Treats

Step-by-step instructions

Let’s bring these festive treats to life! Follow these clear steps for a joyful cooking experience:

For the Strawberry Christmas Trees: Dip the strawberries into the melted green candy melts until well coated. Place them on frosted oatmeal cookies and decorate with colorful nonpareils and star candies.
For Chocolate Peanut Butter Trees: In a bowl, mix together the melted butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar until the mixture is well combined. Shape into tree formations and dip in melted chocolate. For an eye-catching finish, drizzle with both milk and white chocolate.
For Christmas Tree Brownies: Prepare the brownie mix as per the package instructions and let it cool. Once cooled, top with buttercream frosting flavored with almond extract and food coloring, then decorate with mini candy canes and star candies.
For Little Debbie Cake Balls: Mix the unwrapped Little Debbie cakes with softened cream cheese until you achieve a dough-like consistency. Form into bite-sized balls, dip in melting wafers, and sprinkle with sanding sugar for that festive touch.

How to serve Christmas Tree Treats

Presenting your Christmas Tree Treats can elevate the holiday spirit even further! Arrange the strawberry trees on a decorative platter, creating a wintry wonderland feel. Pair the chocolate peanut butter trees with a side of festive hot cocoa, or serve the brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Adding whimsical touches like silver or gold sprinkles can make your dessert table shine!

Keeping leftovers fresh

To store any remaining treats, seal them in an airtight container placed in the refrigerator. The chocolate-covered items can last up to a week, while the cake balls and brownies fare well for up to ten days. For optimal freshness, avoid stacking delicate items, and if you want to freeze them, consider wrapping each treat individually.

Helpful cooking tips

Select ripe strawberries: Ensure your strawberries are fresh and free from blemishes for the best presentation and flavor.
Work with melted chocolate quickly: Use a double boiler or microwave to melt chocolate and ensure you keep stirring to avoid burning.
Let kids join in: These treats are really fun for all ages, so encourage children to help out with decorating!

Creative twists

If you’re looking to mix things up, consider these variations:

Fruity starring roles: Swap strawberries with bananas or grapes for different flavors.
Nut butter substitutes: Try almond or cashew butter instead of peanut butter for unique flavors.
Diet-friendly options: Use dairy-free chocolate and nut butter to make these treats suitable for vegan diets.