Christmas Pretzel Trees with Candy Melts Recipe

If you’re looking for the sweetest, most festive treat to whip up this holiday season, I absolutely have to share my go-to Christmas Pretzel Trees with Candy Melts Recipe. These little edible Christmas trees are incredibly easy, so fun to make, and perfect for sharing — plus, they taste delightfully salty-sweet! I love this recipe because it’s one of those no-fuss, crowd-pleaser projects that even kiddos can help with, and the end result always looks charming on a holiday platter.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together with simplicity in mind – you’ll only need a handful, all easy to find and budget-friendly. The key is to use good quality candy melts that melt smoothly and hold their shape well.

• Pretzel sticks: Choose regular pretzel rods for sturdiness; thin or broken ones don’t hold the tree shape as well.
• Green candy melts: Look for classic green candy melts designed for melting—they melt evenly and harden nicely.
• Red and white nonpareils sprinkles: These tiny sprinkles add festive color and texture; you can switch these up based on your preferred palette.
• Optional yellow star sprinkle or cake decoration: I like to place a small star on top to mimic a real Christmas tree – it’s a super cute finishing touch.
• Wax paper: This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Christmas Pretzel Trees with Candy Melts Recipe is how easy it is to play around with it. I encourage you to make it your own every time you bake — it keeps things exciting and tailored to your taste buds.

• Using white or pastel candy melts: I once swapped green for white and tinted them with a little food coloring to match a winter wonderland theme — it was a big hit with my guests!
• Different sprinkles: Try silver balls or tiny edible pearls for a more elegant look, especially if you want to dress these treats up for a holiday party.
• Mini chocolate chips or crushed nuts: You can sprinkle these on for added texture and flavor if you want to mix things up a bit.
• Gluten-free pretzels: For anyone with dietary needs, I’ve had great results using gluten-free pretzels without compromising taste or crunch.

How to Make Christmas Pretzel Trees with Candy Melts Recipe

Step 1: Arrange Your Pretzel Tree Base

Start by laying out a piece of wax paper on your workspace. Then, take your pretzel sticks and arrange them in groups of three, shaping each group into a triangle that looks like a tiny Christmas tree. This part is super fun to do, and if you have kids, they’ll love helping! Just make sure the points of the triangle are tight so your candy melts will stick properly.

Step 2: Melt Your Candy Melts

Melt your green candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second increments and stirring in between until completely smooth. Don’t rush this part—stirring well prevents clumps and helps you get that perfect, glossy finish you want for your trees.

Step 3: Fill the Pretzel Tree Triangles

Use a spoon or a piping bag (I like a piping bag with a small tip) to fill inside the pretzel triangles with the melted candy. Make sure the candy touches all three pretzels — this helps them stick together and hold their shape once hardened. If needed, smooth out the candy with the back of your spoon for an even look.

Step 4: Add Festive Sprinkles and Decorations

While the candy melts are still warm and soft, sprinkle on your red and white nonpareils. For the finishing touch, place a yellow star sprinkle or cake decoration at the top of each tree to resemble a shining star. This little detail just makes everything feel so joyful!

Step 5: Let the Trees Harden

Allow your pretzel trees to cool and harden completely. You can speed this up by popping them in the fridge for about 10–15 minutes. Once hardened, carefully peel the trees off the wax paper. They’re now ready to enjoy or gift!

How to Serve Christmas Pretzel Trees with Candy Melts Recipe

Garnishes

When I serve these, I like to add a little extra sparkle by arranging them on a platter with fresh rosemary sprigs or edible gold dusted cranberries. They look almost too pretty to eat, but trust me, you won’t stop at just one.

Side Dishes

I love pairing my Christmas Pretzel Trees with warm drinks like a rich hot chocolate or peppermint mocha. These salty-sweet treats also complement holiday cookie platters beautifully, balancing out a dessert spread with their crisp texture.

Creative Ways to Present

I once arranged these pretzel trees in mini mason jars filled halfway with crushed peppermint candies, using the jars as festive “trees in a pot.” It made a charming gift idea and a unique way to display them at a holiday party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After making your Christmas Pretzel Trees, I keep any leftovers stored in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They stay crisp for about a week and are just as delicious days later.

Freezing

Freezing these treats is possible, but I recommend wrapping each tree individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe bag. When you thaw them, let them come to room temperature to avoid condensation making the pretzels soggy.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat these because the candy melts soften quickly. But if you want to freshen them up, leave them at room temperature for a bit to lose any chill softness – they crisp right back up nicely!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Christmas Pretzel Trees with Candy Melts Recipe has become one of my holiday essentials. It’s so simple yet delightful, and everyone who tries it asks for the recipe or seconds. I love its perfect blend of salty crunch and sweet festive flair, plus how easy it is to personalize. Give this recipe a try this season—you’ll enjoy making them as much as eating them, and they make a charming gift, too. Happy holidays and happy snacking!

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