These Homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Christmas Trees are irresistible no-bake holiday treats—creamy peanut butter piped into festive pine-tree shapes atop mini Reese’s cups and dipped in rich chocolate. With simple ingredients and zero oven time, you’ll fall in love at first bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No oven needed—perfect for busy holiday prep.
- Ready in under an hour (including chilling!).
- Fun DIY project for kids and adults alike.
- Uses mini Reese’s peanut butter cups as adorable bases.
- Creamy peanut butter meets decadent chocolate in every bite.
- Customizable with any color of sprinkles or edible toppers.
- Gluten-free when you choose certified gluten-free ingredients.
- Makes 18–20 trees—ideal for cookie exchanges or gift boxes.
Ingredients for Homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 (16 oz) jar creamy peanut butter (smooth—Skippy or Jif work great)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted (more if needed for thicker dough)
• 18–20 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, unwrapped (for tree bases)
• 10 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (Ghirardelli recommended)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or vegetable oil for smoother dipping)
• Festive sprinkles (red, green, white nonpareils)
• Edible star toppers (optional, for tree “star”)
Directions to Make Homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
- Line a Baking Sheet
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange unwrapped mini Reese’s peanut butter cups in neat rows, spacing them about 1 inch apart—these will serve as your tree trunks. - Melt Butter & Peanut Butter
In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine melted butter and peanut butter. Stir constantly until fully combined and silky smooth (about 2–3 minutes). Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. - Stir in Powdered Sugar
Transfer the warm mixture to a mixing bowl. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing with a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon. The dough should be thick enough to hold shape—add an extra ¼ cup sugar if it’s too soft. - Load Your Piping Bag
Fit a large star-shaped tip into a disposable piping bag (or use a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off). Spoon the peanut butter dough into the bag, pressing out any air pockets. - Pipe the Trees
Holding the piping bag upright just above each Reese’s cup, pipe a small mound of dough, then spiral upward in concentric circles to form a pointed tree shape. Aim for about 1.5–2 inches tall per tree. - Chill Until Firm
Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until trees are completely set and no longer tacky to the touch. This chilling step ensures clean chocolate dips. - Dip in Chocolate
In a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil. Heat in 20-second bursts, stirring until melted, glossy, and smooth. Dip each peanut butter tree about halfway into the chocolate, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. - Decorate & Set
Immediately sprinkle on festive nonpareils and gently press a star topper onto each tree before the chocolate firms. Return the tray to the fridge for another 15 minutes, or until the chocolate is fully set. - Serve or Package
Once set, transfer your Homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Christmas Trees to a decorative platter or gift boxes. These holiday treats keep their shape beautifully and look stunning under twinkling lights!
Servings & Timing
Yield: Makes 18–20 trees
Prep Time: 20 minutes (assembling dough and piping)
Chill Time: 45 minutes total (30 min initial + 15 min after dipping)
Total Time: About 1 hour
Variations
• White Chocolate Coat: Swap semi-sweet chocolate for melted white chocolate and tint green for extra holiday flair.
• Dark Chocolate Lovers: Use 70% dark chocolate chips for a richer, slightly less sweet treat.
• Crunchy PB Option: Stir in ¼ cup finely chopped peanuts for extra texture.
• Peppermint Twist: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract to the piping dough and top with crushed candy cane.
• Vegan Swap: Use dairy-free butter, vegan peanut butter cups, and plant-based chocolate.
• Nut-Free Version: Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and use SunButter cups.
Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week—these DIY holiday treats are best served cold. You can also freeze them for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. No reheating is needed, but let frozen trees sit at room temperature for 10 minutes if you prefer a slightly softer bite.
FAQs about Homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
Q: Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
A: Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds delightful texture—just whisk until you see evenly distributed peanut bits.
Q: My dough was too soft to pipe—what now?
A: Stir in another ¼–½ cup of powdered sugar until firm enough to hold its shape when piped.
Q: Do I need a piping bag and tip?
A: No worries if you don’t have one—use a sturdy zip-top bag with a ½-inch corner cut off for nearly the same effect.
Q: Can I prep the peanut butter mixture ahead of time?
A: Yes! Store the mixed dough in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container, then let soften for 10 minutes before piping.
Q: Are these trees gluten-free?
A: Yes, as long as you select certified gluten-free mini Reese’s cups and check your sprinkles.
Q: What’s the best way to melt chocolate without seizing?
A: Use short bursts in the microwave (20 seconds) and stir in between, or melt slowly over a double boiler to prevent burning.
Q: Can I make these nut-free?
A: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and use SunButter cups—then follow the same steps.
Q: How do I pack these as gifts?
A: Layer parchment between rows in a gift box, or wrap small bundles in cellophane tied with festive ribbon.
Conclusion
With zero oven time, customizable flair, and the perfect balance of peanut butter and chocolate, these Homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Christmas Trees are destined to become your favorite festive dessert. Gather the kids for a fun DIY session or surprise neighbors with a box of these adorable holiday treats—then come back and let me know how they disappeared at your party!
Homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 jar (16 oz) creamy peanut butter smooth (Skippy or Jif)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 18-20 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups unwrapped, for bases
- 10 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable oil for smoother dip
- festive sprinkles red, green, or white nonpareils
- edible star toppers optional
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange mini Reese’s peanut butter cups evenly apart to serve as the tree bases.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter and peanut butter together, stirring constantly until smooth, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt.
- Gradually whisk in sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until the mixture is thick and holds its shape when scooped.
- Transfer the peanut butter dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe tree shapes directly onto each Reese’s cup, starting from the base and swirling upward.
- Refrigerate the piped trees for at least 30 minutes, or until they are completely set and hold their shape well.
- Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a microwave or double boiler until smooth, then dip each tree about halfway into the chocolate, allowing excess to drip off.
- While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on festive sprinkles and top each tree with a star topper if desired, then return to the fridge for 15 minutes.
- Once the chocolate is set, arrange on a platter or pack into gift boxes, and enjoy your festive Homemade Reeses Peanut Butter Christmas Trees!
Notes
Nutrition
