Christmas Chocolate Tree Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s as charming as it is delicious, you’re going to love this Christmas Chocolate Tree Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these little chocolate trees turn out—they’re perfect for holiday parties, gifting, or just indulging yourself with something special during the busiest season of the year. The best part? They’re super simple to make but have that wow factor that’ll impress everyone around your kitchen counter.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the things I adore about this Christmas Chocolate Tree Cookies Recipe is how straightforward the ingredients are. Each component works perfectly together to create that rich chocolatey flavor and delightful festive look—nothing complicated, just delicious.

• Dark chocolate: I prefer a good-quality dark chocolate for depth of flavor and smooth melting.
• White chocolate: This is for the “snow” drizzle—don’t skip it, as it adds a fun visual contrast.
• Mini colorful sprinkles: Pick festive colors—reds, greens, and whites really pop on the dark base.
• Pretzel sticks: These act as the tree trunks, adding a nice crunch and salty balance.

Variations

I love that you can make this Christmas Chocolate Tree Cookies Recipe truly your own by tweaking a few simple things. Whether you want to jazz it up for a party or tweak it for dietary needs, it’s a breeze.

• Nutty Trees: Add finely chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds to the dark chocolate before shaping for a textural surprise—I did this once for a holiday brunch, and everyone was hooked.
• Milk Chocolate Swap: Swap the dark chocolate with milk chocolate if you prefer a sweeter cookie; I did this for my kids and they loved it.
• Vegan Version: Use dairy-free dark and white chocolate and ensure sprinkles are vegan-friendly to make this treat perfect for vegan friends or family.
• Festive Themes: Get creative with different sprinkle colors—gold and silver for a classy look or red and green for a classic Christmas vibe.

How to Make Christmas Chocolate Tree Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Melt the Dark Chocolate

Start by lining a baking tray with parchment paper—that’s going to make it so much easier to peel the cookies off later without breaking them. Then, melt the dark chocolate. I like to do this in the microwave in short bursts (20-30 seconds), stirring in between until completely smooth. You can also use a double boiler if you want to be extra precise. Make sure it’s fully melted and glossy; this is key for those beautiful, shiny trees.

Step 2: Pipe Out the Tree Shapes

Spoon your melted dark chocolate into a piping bag or zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Now, pipe tree shapes directly onto the parchment paper. Aim for about 3 inches tall and 2 inches wide—small enough to nibble but large enough to decorate. Don’t forget to place a pretzel stick at the bottom of each tree shape because that’s your edible trunk! The key is to overlap the bottom of the chocolate with the top of the pretzel so they stick together perfectly.

Step 3: Add the Snowy Drizzle and Sprinkles

While the chocolate trees are still wet, melt your white chocolate and drizzle it over the tops in a zigzag pattern to give that delicate snow effect. Then immediately scatter your mini colorful sprinkles all over the chocolate. This helps them stick in place before the chocolate hardens. I discovered this trick after messing up the first batch by waiting too long—the sprinkles just slid off!

Step 4: Let the Trees Set and Serve

Now comes the hardest part: waiting. Let those beauties set at room temperature or pop them in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes until they’re firm. Then carefully lift them from the parchment—try not to break the delicate branches! Arrange your chocolate tree cookies on a festive platter and watch your guests go crazy for these little chocolate wonders.

How to Serve Christmas Chocolate Tree Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple and festive—mini candy canes or edible gold glitter add a bit of sparkle without overpowering the trees. If you have fresh rosemary around, a few sprigs near the platter make a lovely pine-tree scent that complements the chocolate beautifully.

Side Dishes

Since these cookies are rich and sweet, I often pair them with a hot cup of mulled wine, spiced cider, or even a peppermint hot chocolate to round out the holiday vibe perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday party, nestle the chocolate trees in a bed of crushed candy canes or shredded coconut “snow” on a pretty platter. I’ve also wrapped them individually in clear bags tied with festive ribbons and gifted them to neighbors—they’re a huge hit every time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store these Christmas Chocolate Tree Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for up to a week without losing their crunch or flavor, so feel free to bake early and enjoy over time.

Freezing

In case you want to freeze them, I wrap each cookie individually in parchment and store in a freezer-safe container. Thaw slowly at room temperature to avoid condensation ruining the chocolate finish—it works great when you prepare gifts in advance.

Reheating

Because these are basically set chocolate shapes, reheating isn’t usually needed. But if your chocolate softens, just let them sit for a bit in a cool room to harden again. Never use a microwave as it can melt them too much and ruin the shape.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Chocolate Tree Cookies Recipe has become a holiday staple for me because it’s charming, tasty, and such a joy to make with kids and friends. I always find that no matter how many times I bake them, their whimsical shape and festive look bring smiles to everyone’s faces. If you’re after a treat that’s as fun to make as it is to enjoy, trust me—you’ll want to try this recipe this season. It’s an easy, delicious, and beautifully festive way to celebrate the holidays together in your kitchen.

Print