No-Bake Chocolate Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Bars Recipe

Make these Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Bars for a quick, no-bake, festive recipe that’s easy, fun, & perfect for holiday parties, desserts or homemade gifts!

These Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Bars are the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and festive! They’re quick to make, super cute, and perfect for busy parents who still want to bring a little magic to the holiday season. Think Reese’s meets Rice Krispies—shaped like adorable trees. Yes, please! 🍫🎄

Let’s get into how to make these no-bake treats that look straight out of Santa’s workshop (but take only about an hour to make).

What Are Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Bars?

These bars are basically chewy peanut butter cereal bars topped with smooth chocolate and decorated to look like Christmas trees. The pretzels add a salty crunch, while the peanut butter and chocolate give that melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

They’re made with simple pantry ingredients—no baking required! That means fewer dishes, less stress, and more time to enjoy your hot cocoa. ☕

They’re also easy to decorate with kids. You can use sprinkles, colored icing, or even little candy stars on top. It’s one of those fun Christmas desserts that doubles as a cute holiday activity.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these peanut butter tree bars:

Contains affiliate links for your convenience; learn more and see our full disclosure policy here. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Bars Ingredients

• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ½ cup corn syrup
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup crushed pretzels
• 1 cup quick oats
• 2 cups crispy rice cereal

Chocolate Topping Ingredients

• ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate chips)
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter

Decorating Ingredients

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons milk
• 1–2 drops green gel food coloring
• Sprinkles of your choice (holiday colors are best!)

Shop all of the items used to make this recipe by clicking the images below:

How to Make the Peanut Butter Christmas Trees

Follow the easy steps below or click play and watch a quick overview of this recipe:

Step 1: Mix the Base

In a large bowl, mix the crushed pretzels, oats, and crispy rice cereal. Set it aside.

Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Syrup

In a saucepan, combine corn syrup and brown sugar over low heat. Let it bubble for about a minute, then remove from heat. Stir in the peanut butter until smooth.

Step 3: Combine and Press

Pour the peanut butter filling mixture into the cereal mix and stir until well coated. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and press the mixture in firmly.

Step 4: Add the Chocolate

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter together in 30-second intervals until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate peanut butter mixture over the cereal mixture and spread evenly.

Step 5: Chill and Cut

Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes or freeze for 20–30 minutes. Once firm, remove from the pan. Cut down the middle, then slice each half into five triangles (these will be your “trees”).

Step 6: Decorate!

Mix powdered sugar and milk, then add green food coloring and put into a piping bag or ziplock bag with a corner cut off. Pipe zigzag lines onto each tree and sprinkle with holiday sprinkles.

And just like that, you’ve got festive Christmas tree treats ready to steal the show at your next party. 🎄

Places to Take or Use This Recipe

These little bars fit right in at:

• 🎁 Holiday cookie swaps – they’re no-bake but still impressive.
• 🎅 Classroom parties – kids love the cute tree shape.
• 🍽️ Christmas dinner dessert trays – adds color and variety.
• 🏡 Neighbor gifts – wrap in cellophane with a bow for a quick homemade gift.
• ☕ After-school snacks – pair one with a glass of milk for a festive treat.
• 🍪 Leave out for Santa – place a tree or two on a cookie plate for Santa on Christmas Eve. 

They’re also perfect for family movie nights (especially when you’re watching Elf or The Grinch).

Variations to Try

Want to switch things up a bit? Try these ideas:

• Use white chocolate chips for a “snowy” look.
• Add mini M&Ms as ornaments on your trees.
• Swap the peanut butter for almond or sunflower butter if you need a nut-free option.
• Add coconut flakes before the chocolate sets for a “frosted” effect.
• Try different shapes – stars, hearts, or snowflakes work great too!
• Smaller Trees – Cut the bars into smaller triangles for mini bite-sized bars for delightful treats.

These variations keep things fun and let kids get creative in the kitchen while spreading holiday cheer.

Make Ahead + Storage Tips

These bars store beautifully!

You can make them up to 3 days ahead and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If your kitchen runs warm, pop them in the fridge so the chocolate doesn’t melt.

They also freeze well. Just layer parchment paper between them and store in a freezer-safe container for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge before serving.

That makes them perfect for early holiday prep (so you can focus on wrapping gifts instead of baking last-minute!). 🎁

Common Questions

Can I use natural peanut butter?

You can, but the texture might be a little softer. Stir it really well before adding so the oil doesn’t separate.

Can I skip the pretzels?

Sure! They add a nice crunch, but you can use more oats or rice cereal instead.

Do I need to use green icing?

Nope! You can leave them plain or drizzle white icing for a snow-dusted look.

How do I make them gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pretzels and cereal. Double-check your oats too.

How long do they last?

Up to 5 days on the counter or a week in the fridge. If you freeze them, they’ll keep for a month.

Shop My Kitchen Favorites

Contains affiliate links for your convenience; learn more and see our full disclosure policy here. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Shop and check out my favorite kitchen, cooking, and baking must haves. These are items I use in my own kitchen and love!

And as a bonus, don’t miss out on my FREE Kitchen Conversions chart. Enter your email below and you can print it off for your kitchen!

Wrap-Up

These Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Bars are one of those recipes that hit all the right notes—easy, cute, and totally delicious. They’re festive enough for parties but simple enough for everyday snacking during December.

So grab your mixing bowl, a few sprinkles, and your favorite little helpers, and make these sweet peanut butter trees today! 🎄 Merry Christmas and happy baking.

If you love easy, festive recipes like this, make sure to sign up for my email list—I share new printables, recipes, and fun holiday ideas every week. You don’t want to miss what’s coming next! 💌

More Christmas Desserts:

• Peppermint Crinkles
• Gingerbread Sheet Cake
• Sugar Cookie Fudge
• Dipped Gingersnaps
• Candy Cane Puff Pastries

Please pin this post for later and follow along on Pinterest: