Let’s be honest—when it comes to holiday treats, it’s not just about taste; it’s about vibes. And these Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees bring maximum holiday joy with zero stress. They’re no-bake, adorable, and totally festive. You get that perfect blend of sweet and salty, crunchy and smooth, and they look like something straight out of Santa’s kitchen.

If you’re building a cookie tray, need a quick DIY food gift, or just want to keep the kids occupied on a snow day, this recipe is your new BFF. And best of all? These treats look EXACTLY like the ones you see in the image above—tree-shaped pretzels drizzled with green garland, topped with M&M ornaments and golden sparkle. Perfection.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for Gifting

Wrap these little trees in clear bags with a festive ribbon and boom—instant neighbor gift, teacher appreciation, or sweet stocking stuffer. They hold up great and look so impressive.

Great for Holiday Cookie Trays

Looking to fill out your Christmas cookie platter with something that pops? These chocolate pretzel trees add texture, color, and variety without needing an oven. People will reach for these first.

Kid-Friendly and Fun

No knives, no hot pans, no baking—just melt, drizzle, and decorate. Kids can get creative with the toppings, and you won’t stress about a messy kitchen. It’s win-win!

What You Need to Make These Christmas Tree Pretzels

Let’s break it down. Here’s everything you’ll need to make 12 chocolate pretzel Christmas trees:

Ingredients:

48 mini pretzel twists (3–4 per tree depending on the size)
12 extra pretzels (for the stars on top)
2 cups dark or milk chocolate melting wafers (choose your fave!)
1 cup green candy melts (for the garland drizzle)
¼ cup mini red & green M&M’s (ornaments)
2 tbsp gold or silver nonpareils/sprinkles (sparkly touch!)

Tools & Equipment:

Parchment paper
Baking sheet
Microwave-safe bowls
Spoon or piping bag
Optional: squeeze bottle for green drizzle

Let’s Talk Chocolate: Choosing the Right Base

Your base chocolate matters here because it’s what holds the whole tree together. You’ve got two great options:

Dark or Milk Chocolate?

Milk chocolate is sweeter and a hit with kids.
Dark chocolate gives that bittersweet contrast and feels a little fancier.

Either works—just pick the one you like best.

Melting Wafers vs Regular Chocolate

Melting wafers are super easy to use and set up firm and shiny.
Real chocolate (like chocolate chips) can work but may need a little coconut oil or shortening to smooth it out.

For the best result (and fewer headaches), go with melting wafers.

Green Candy Melts – Bringing the Festive Vibes

This is where your Christmas trees start to look like actual trees. That green drizzle mimics garland or ribbon, adding color and depth.

Want a Brighter Green?

Use neon green candy melts! You can find them online or in craft stores like Michaels or Joann’s. They pop more in photos and bring out that true festive look, like you see in the image.

Can’t Find Green Melts?

Mix white melts with green food coloring (oil-based only!)
Use white chocolate with green matcha (natural and tasty)
Skip the green and go red, white, or gold!

How to Create the Perfect Pretzel Tree Shape

The structure is key to making these look like trees. Here’s how to stack:

Bottom row: 3 or 4 pretzels across (this is your widest point)
Middle row: 2 or 3 pretzels
Top row: 1 or 2 pretzels

Stack each row to taper in like a tree. Leave a little space between rows for the chocolate to drip and fill in.

The Star Topper – A Simple but Sweet Detail

What’s a Christmas tree without a star? For the star, just turn a mini pretzel upright on top of the tree. The triangle shape naturally looks like a starburst, especially once drizzled with green and dusted in gold sprinkles.

Feeling Extra?

You can also:

Use gold star-shaped sprinkles
Pipe a yellow chocolate star
Top with a gumdrop or golden candy

Melting Chocolate Like a Pro

You don’t need any fancy tools here. Just a microwave and a spoon.

Microwave Method:

Add wafers to a bowl.
Heat in 30-second bursts.
Stir between each round until smooth.

Double Boiler Option:

Heat water in a saucepan.
Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl over it.
Stir until melted.

Tip: Don’t get water in your chocolate. It’ll seize and turn clumpy.

Assembling the Chocolate Pretzel Trees Step by Step

Here’s where the magic happens. Make sure your baking sheet is lined with parchment before you begin.

Steps:

Lay out 3–4 pretzels on the sheet in the tree shape.
Add one pretzel standing upright at the top (this is your star).

Spoon chocolate over the stack—make sure it covers the gaps!
Tap the tray gently to help the chocolate settle.

You want the chocolate to glue everything together while showing off those pretzel curves.

The Drizzle Effect – Creating “Garlands” with Green Candy

Time to decorate! Melt the green candy melts and load them into a small piping bag or use a spoon to drizzle.

Technique Tips:

Drizzle in a zig-zag motion like real garland.
Make it random—trees aren’t perfect!

Let the green set just a little before moving to the next step, or jump right into the next part if you want the candies to stick into the drizzle.

Decorating Your Christmas Trees

This is the fun part where the whole treat comes to life!

Add:

Mini M&M’s (red and green) – these are your ornaments.

Gold/silver sprinkles – they add sparkle and texture.

Try clustering the M&M’s in 3’s or spacing them out evenly like ornaments. Use tweezers for precision or let the kids go wild.

Letting Them Set – Patience Pays Off

After decorating, it’s tempting to grab one right away—but hold on! The chocolate needs time to firm up so your trees don’t fall apart the moment you pick them up.

Two Options to Set:

Refrigerate for 10–15 minutes: Quick and easy. The cold helps the chocolate harden fast, especially if you’re in a rush.

Room temperature for 30–45 minutes: Ideal if you’re making large batches or don’t have fridge space.

Make sure they’re completely solid before handling or packing. You’ll know they’re ready when you can gently peel one off the parchment and it stays in one piece.

Pro Tip: Don’t stack them until they’re fully set or you risk smudging your decorations.

Storing and Shelf Life

These pretzel trees are surprisingly sturdy and store like champs.

Storage Tips:

Keep in an airtight container
Layer with parchment paper if stacking
Store at room temp (cool area) for up to 2 weeks

Avoid humid or hot environments—chocolate can “bloom” (get white spots) if exposed to heat or moisture. But even if it does, they’re still safe to eat!

You can also refrigerate them, but that might cause condensation when you bring them out. If you do chill, let them come to room temp before opening the container.

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Fun Variations to Try

Want to make these your own? Here are some fun, creative twists:

1. White Chocolate Wonderland

Use white chocolate for a snowy tree look. Pair with blue and silver decorations for a winter wonderland theme.

2. Peppermint Forest

Add crushed candy canes to the top of the chocolate before it sets. The crunch + cool mint makes it extra festive.

3. Caramel Drizzle Magic

Drizzle some melted caramel over the trees for a sticky-sweet layer. Works especially well with dark chocolate.

4. Peanut Butter Pretzel Trees

Mix a little peanut butter into your melted chocolate or drizzle on top. Classic combo that everyone loves.

5. Nutty Decorations

Sprinkle crushed almonds, walnuts, or pecans for a rustic holiday feel.

The possibilities are endless—and that’s what makes this recipe so fun.

Pro Tips for Pretzel Tree Perfection

Want to nail these like a pro on your first try? Here are some bonus tips:

Work in Small Batches

Don’t melt all your chocolate at once unless you’re super fast. Chocolate hardens as it sits, so it’s better to melt in portions.

Use Squeeze Bottles or Piping Bags

For cleaner, more controlled drizzles, transfer your melted green candy to a bottle or small bag. Snip the end and zig-zag away!

Don’t Over-Decorate

Too many M&M’s or heavy sprinkles can make your tree top-heavy. Stick to 4–6 M&M’s per tree and a light dusting of sprinkles.

Use Tweezers or Toothpicks

Precision tools help when placing tiny decorations. Especially great for perfectionists or kids with small fingers.

Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees

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Author: Lora
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Category: No-Bake Christmas Treats / Holiday Desserts / Kid-Friendly Snacks

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Description

🎄✨ The cutest salty-sweet Christmas treat ever! These chocolate-covered pretzel trees look like they came straight from Santa’s workshop — crunchy, festive, and perfect for gifting, cookie trays, or fun holiday activities with kids. 🍫💚❤️

Ingredients

Scale

48 mini pretzel twists (3–4 per tree)
12 extra pretzel twists (for stars)
2 cups dark or milk chocolate melting wafers

1 cup green candy melts
¼ cup mini red & green M&M’s
2 tbsp gold or silver nonpareils/sprinkles

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prep the base
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
⏱️ 1 minute
Melt the chocolate
Place chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth and fully melted.
⏱️ 2 minutes
Assemble the pretzel trees
Arrange 3–4 pretzel twists in rows (largest at the bottom, smallest at the top) to form a tree shape.
Add one pretzel twist at the very top as the star. ⭐
⏱️ 2 minutes

Coat with chocolate
Spoon or drizzle the melted chocolate generously over each tree, making sure the gaps fill in so the tree stays together.
Tap the tray lightly to smooth the chocolate.
⏱️ 3 minutes
Add the green drizzle
Melt the green candy melts and create zig-zag drizzles over each tree to resemble garlands. 💚
⏱️ 2 minutes
Decorate
While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on:
✔ mini red & green M&M’s (ornaments)
✔ gold/silver sprinkles (sparkle) ✨
⏱️ 2 minutes

Let them set
Chill the tray in the refrigerator until firm, or let them set at room temperature.
⏱️ 10 minutes

Notes

These are perfect for cookie trays, classroom treats, party platters, or gifting.
No baking needed — great for making with kids or in big batches.

Use any type of chocolate you like: milk, dark, or white.
Green candy melts create the cutest “garland” effect, but you can also use colored icing.
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks; avoid heat to prevent melting.

For extra sparkle, add edible glitter or metallic star sprinkles.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 12 trees
Calories: ~140 kcal

Make-Ahead and Gifting Ideas

Chocolate Pretzel Trees are the perfect make-ahead holiday treat.

Make-Ahead Tips:

Make them 1–2 weeks before Christmas
Store in cool, dry place
Decorate closer to gifting if you’re using delicate toppings

Gifting Tips:

Wrap individually in clear cellophane bags
Tie with red & green ribbon
Add a festive gift tag with a handwritten message

They also make fantastic additions to:

Holiday charcuterie boards
Cookie exchanges
Christmas classroom parties
Neighbor gifts

Everyone loves getting something cute and delicious!

Troubleshooting: What to Do If…

My Chocolate Won’t Melt Smoothly

Use melting wafers or add a teaspoon of coconut oil

Don’t overheat; 30-second intervals are key

The Pretzels Keep Sliding

Let the chocolate sit for 20 seconds before stacking the next row
Use less chocolate per layer to keep things tidy

The Drizzle Looks Messy

Use a piping bag or bottle
Practice on a piece of parchment first

The Trees Won’t Hold Together

Make sure your chocolate is warm and fluid
Fully cover the pretzels to bond them together

Chocolate Bloomed (White Spots)

Still edible! Just a sign of temperature change. Store better next time.

Wrapping It Up – A Holiday Tradition You’ll Crave Every Year

There’s something incredibly joyful about making these Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees. They’re festive, easy, and a guaranteed hit with every age group. Whether you’re decking out your cookie tray, surprising a neighbor with a sweet treat, or having a snowy afternoon craft session with the kids, these trees deliver big holiday magic in every bite.

They’re salty, sweet, crunchy, melty, colorful, and downright adorable. And the best part? You don’t even have to turn on your oven. 🎄

So melt that chocolate, grab those pretzels, and start building your edible forest. Santa would definitely approve.

Similar recipes :

Chocolate-Covered Pretzel Caramel Bites with Sea Salt

Church Lady Butter Toffee Pretzels

FAQs

1. Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of melting wafers?

Yes, but you’ll want to add a small amount of coconut oil or shortening to help the chocolate melt smoothly and set properly.

2. How do I keep the chocolate from seizing while melting?

Avoid letting water get into your chocolate bowl. Also, don’t overheat—always stir between intervals and stop once it’s smooth.

3. Are these gluten-free?

Standard pretzels usually contain gluten, but you can easily make these gluten-free by using GF-certified mini pretzels.

4. Can I freeze these pretzel trees?

Yes, but it’s best to freeze them in a single layer inside a sealed container. Defrost at room temp without opening the container to avoid condensation.

5. How do I make these with kids?

Let them drizzle the green candy melts and add decorations! You can prep the chocolate coating part in advance to make it easier (and less messy).

Hi, I’m Lora!

I'm so glad you've found your way here. My kitchen is my happy place, and if you're just starting your own cooking journey, I want you to know you're in the right place.

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Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Trees – A Magical Holiday Treat