ADVERTISEMENT
Instructions
1. Prepare the Peanut Butter Mixture
In a medium bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together using a spoon or a hand mixer until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- The butter and powdered sugar help create a creamy and firm texture for the peanut butter mixture, while the vanilla extract adds a touch of flavor that balances the sweetness.
Once the mixture is smooth and well-combined, it should have a dough-like consistency. If it’s too soft or sticky, you can refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes to firm it up.
2. Shape the Christmas Trees
To create the Christmas tree shape, roll a small portion of the peanut butter mixture into a ball, and then gently form it into a cone-like shape with your hands. Alternatively, you can use a cookie cutter in the shape of a Christmas tree to help you achieve more uniform shapes.
- The size of each tree is up to you, but generally, about 1 tablespoon of peanut butter mixture per tree works well.
Once shaped, place the peanut butter trees on a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray. You should have about 12-15 trees, depending on the size of your shapes.
3. Chill the Peanut Butter Trees
Place the shaped peanut butter trees in the refrigerator to chill for about 20-30 minutes. Chilling helps the peanut butter mixture firm up and makes it easier to dip in chocolate without the peanut butter becoming too soft.
4. Prepare the Chocolate Coating
While the peanut butter trees chill, melt the milk chocolate chips (and green food coloring, if desired) in a heatproof bowl over a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second intervals. Stir frequently until the chocolate is smooth and completely melted.
- The green food coloring adds a festive, tree-like color to the chocolate, but it’s entirely optional if you prefer the classic brown chocolate coating.
If you like, melt a few white chocolate chips in a separate bowl for drizzling over the trees to create a “snowy” effect.
5. Coat the Peanut Butter Trees
Once the peanut butter trees have chilled and the chocolate is ready, carefully dip each tree into the melted chocolate. Use a spoon to coat the peanut butter tree entirely in chocolate, making sure the tree is well-covered. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off.
- Tip: You can also use a small spatula to spread the chocolate over the peanut butter trees if you don’t want to dip them completely.
Place the coated trees back on the parchment-lined tray and return them to the fridge to set for about 15-20 minutes.
6. Decorate the Trees
Once the chocolate coating is firm, it’s time to decorate your Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Trees! Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the trees to create the illusion of “snow” or icicles on the branches.
Next, decorate with sprinkles, mini candy stars, or colored candy pearls to add some festive sparkle. You can place a mini star candy or a small piece of candy on top to represent the tree topper. Be as creative as you like!
- Edible glitter or sprinkles can also be used to make the trees extra festive and sparkly.
7. Chill Again
Once decorated, place the trees back in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to let the chocolate set completely and allow the decorations to stay in place.
8. Serve and Enjoy!
Your Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Trees are now ready to enjoy! Serve them on a platter at your holiday party, give them as gifts, or simply indulge in these delicious, festive treats.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
- Make-Ahead Option: These Christmas trees can be made a day or two in advance. Simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh and firm.
- Chocolate Variations: While milk chocolate is the classic choice, you can use dark chocolate or white chocolate if you prefer. You can even combine different types of chocolate for a layered look!
- Customize the Decoration: Use colorful candies, sugar pearls, or candy canes to customize your trees. You can even pipe on extra decorations using colored icing for a fun, personalized touch.
- Nut-Free Option: If you need to make these tree treats nut-free, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or another nut-free alternative.
- Try Different Shapes: You can experiment with different shapes, such as stars, bells, or snowflakes, to create a whole variety of holiday-themed treats.
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Trees are the perfect holiday treat for several reasons:
- Easy to Make: With only a few ingredients and no baking required, these treats are quick to prepare and fun to assemble. They’re great for making with kids or for a last-minute holiday gift.
- Festive and Fun: Shaped like Christmas trees and adorned with colorful decorations, these treats are as beautiful as they are delicious. They’ll add a festive touch to your dessert table.
- Perfect Combination of Flavors: The classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter is always a winner. These treats bring out the best of both flavors in a fun, holiday-themed way.
- Customizable: You can customize the flavors, decorations, and coatings to fit your preferences, making them a versatile treat that suits everyone’s tastes.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays, Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Trees are the perfect treat! These delicious, no-bake confections are easy to make, full of flavor, and visually stunning. Whether you’re gifting them, sharing them with loved ones, or keeping them all to yourself, these sweet little trees are guaranteed to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
So grab your ingredients, put on some holiday music, and get ready to make some Christmas magic with these Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Trees!
Enjoy! 🎄🍫🥜
ADVERTISEMENT
