I’ve got a festive treat that’ll be the star of your holiday dessert table. This Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Tree combines two irresistible flavors in a show-stopping shape that’s surprisingly simple to create. The contrast between sweet chocolate coating and salty peanut butter filling hits all the right notes. No baking required, just some mixing, molding, and a bit of patience while it sets. Want to know my secret for getting that perfect tree shape without any special equipment?
Why You’ll Love this Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Tree
When you’re looking for a show-stopping holiday treat, these chocolate peanut butter Christmas trees tick all the boxes. They combine two irresistible flavors—rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter—in a festive shape that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.
No baking required, can you believe it? Just mix, cut, dip, and drizzle. The contrast between the sweet coating and slightly salty peanut butter interior creates that perfect flavor balance we all crave.
Plus, they’re customizable. Want more chocolate? Add another drizzle. Prefer white chocolate? Go for it. These little trees are practically begging for your personal touch.
What Ingredients are in Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Tree?
To create these no-bake holiday treats, you’ll need a perfect combination of pantry staples that transform into something magical when brought together.
- ½ cup salted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (for dipping)
- 2 tablespoons shortening (for dipping chocolate)
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips (for drizzle)
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (for drizzle)
- 1 teaspoon shortening (divided between drizzle chocolates)
The quality of your peanut butter matters here—a natural, creamy variety works beautifully, but if you’re feeling adventurous, crunchy peanut butter can add an interesting texture that gives these trees a bit of unexpected personality.
How to Make this Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Tree
Creating these adorable chocolate peanut butter trees is easier than you might think—no oven required! Start by melting ½ cup of salted butter and letting it cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with 2 cups of creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Mix until everything is smooth and well incorporated. This mixture smells absolutely divine, and you might be tempted to taste-test (who could blame you?).
Next, gradually beat in 4 cups of powdered sugar until you have a stiff, moldable dough. For best results, you might consider using a premium baking stand mixer to ensure the ingredients combine perfectly without overexertion. The mixture will seem dry at first, but keep mixing—it’ll come together. Press this dough evenly into a parchment-lined baking pan to about ½ inch thickness. Pop the pan into the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up, which makes cutting so much easier. After chilling, use a tree-shaped cookie cutter to cut out your trees, placing them on a parchment-lined tray as you go. Any scraps can be re-rolled for more trees, meaning less waste and more treats! Return these shaped trees to the freezer for another 25 minutes—this indispensable step prevents them from melting when dipped in warm chocolate.
For the chocolate coating, melt 3 cups of chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons of shortening in a microwave or double boiler until silky smooth. Working in small batches (keeping the rest chilled), dip each tree into the chocolate, letting excess drip off before returning to the parchment paper. Once they’ve all set, prepare your decorative drizzles by melting ½ cup milk chocolate chips with ½ teaspoon shortening in one bowl, and ½ cup white chocolate chips with ½ teaspoon shortening in another. Transfer to piping bags or zip-top bags with corners snipped off, and create festive patterns across your trees. Refrigerate until completely set, about 30 minutes. The contrast of rich chocolate against the peanut butter interior makes these trees not just beautiful, but absolutely irresistible.
What to Serve with Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Tree
These festive chocolate peanut butter trees deserve some equally delightful companions on your holiday dessert table. I love pairing them with warm beverages like peppermint hot chocolate or a creamy eggnog latte. The rich chocolate and nutty peanut butter flavors also complement vanilla ice cream beautifully, don’t you think?
For a complete dessert spread, consider adding gingerbread cookies, frosted sugar cookies, or chocolate-dipped pretzels. A bowl of fresh berries offers a tart contrast that cuts through the sweetness. Trust me, your guests will appreciate the thoughtful variety of textures and flavors.
Leftovers and Storage for this Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Tree
Properly storing these chocolate peanut butter Christmas trees guarantees you’ll have delicious treats throughout the holiday season. I recommend placing them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll stay fresh in your refrigerator for up to two weeks—if they last that long!
For longer storage, you can freeze these festive trees for up to three months. Just thaw them in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to enjoy. The chocolate might develop a slight white bloom if temperature changes too quickly, but don’t worry—they’ll still taste amazing. Perfect for unexpected holiday visitors!
Festive Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Tree Substitutions and Variations
Flexibility is the true holiday gift when making these chocolate peanut butter Christmas trees! You can easily swap almond or sunflower butter if peanut allergies are a concern. Dark chocolate creates a more sophisticated flavor, while white chocolate makes beautifully snowy trees.
Don’t have a tree cookie cutter? Stars, circles, or simple squares work just as well. The taste remains divine, trust me.
For extra flair, try adding crushed candy canes, colored sprinkles, or even a dash of sea salt on top. Cinnamon or a hint of espresso powder in the peanut butter mixture? Absolutely delicious.
Final Thoughts
Every dessert recipe in my collection gets measured against one question: “Would I make this again?” For these chocolate peanut butter Christmas trees, the answer is a resounding yes.
They’re the perfect balance of sweetness and that irresistible chocolate-peanut butter combo we all crave. What makes them special? The adorable tree shapes transform a simple treat into holiday magic.
Can you imagine the smiles when you present these at your next gathering? Trust me, they’ll disappear faster than snow in sunshine. The best part? They’re straightforward to make but look like you spent hours crafting them.
For an equally impressive but different treat option, try making homemade chocolate truffles that can be finished with festive holiday sprinkles or coatings.
