Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls.
Pour red and green sanding sugar onto a small plate. Roll each cookie dough ball in the sugar until completely coated. This is what gives the cookies that sparkly Christmas look.
Place the coated dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving room for spreading.
Step 3 – Bake
Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 8–10 minutes.
These cookies puff up softly and slightly crack on the surface—this is exactly what you want. They should not brown or harden in the oven, because they will firm up as they cool.
Immediately after baking, use the back of a spoon to gently press a small indentation in the center of each cookie. This will help your little chocolate Christmas trees sit perfectly.
Let the cookies cool fully before decorating.
Step 4 – Build the Mini Chocolate Christmas Trees
This is where the magic happens! Each cookie gets its own little edible Christmas tree:
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Base: Place a Hershey’s Kiss or Rolo in the center indentation.
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Tree Top: Using a dot of melted chocolate, “glue” a mini Reese’s cup upside-down on top of the Kiss.
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Garland: Pipe melted green candy melts or green frosting around the tree in swirls or zigzags.
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Decorations: Add nonpareils, tiny sugar pearls, or a little star sprinkle on top.
Let everything set for a few minutes. Once the frosting hardens slightly, each cookie looks like a decorated Christmas tree glowing in a snowy landscape.
TIPS FOR THE BEST CHRISTMAS TREE COOKIES
1. Don’t overbake.
These cookies should stay soft. Pull them out as soon as the edges look set. Overbaking will make them crumbly after cooling.
2. Chill the dough if it’s too sticky.
A quick 10 minutes in the fridge helps if your kitchen is warm.
3. Decorate when cookies are cool.
Warm cookies melt chocolate too quickly and make your trees slide.
4. Use good-quality sprinkles.
Holiday colors go a long way in making these look professionally decorated.
5. Let kids help!
Children love rolling dough in sprinkles and applying “ornaments.”
MAKE-AHEAD & STORAGE
These cookies store beautifully, making them perfect for holiday gifting.
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Room Temperature: 4–5 days in an airtight container
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Refrigerator: Up to 1 week
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Freezer (undecorated cookies): Up to 3 months
If freezing, freeze cookies without the chocolate trees attached. Add decorations after thawing for best results.
WHY THESE COOKIES ARE A CHRISTMAS CLASSIC
There’s something incredibly nostalgic about peanut butter cookies—they remind people of childhood, home, and warmth. But transforming them into Christmas tree cookies adds an element of joy and creativity that is perfect for the season.
Here’s why these cookies have become a tradition in so many households:
1. They look impressive but are so easy.
No fancy techniques required—just simple shaping, dipping, and decorating.
2. They’re playful and festive.
Kids feel proud decorating their own trees, and adults love how charming they look on dessert tables.
3. They combine favorite flavors.
Peanut butter + chocolate = the ultimate holiday comfort pairing.
4. They’re perfect gifts.
Pack them in tins, boxes, or clear bags tied with ribbon—they travel well and don’t crumble easily.
5. They spark memories year after year.
Every family that makes these cookies eventually says the same thing:
“We can’t imagine Christmas without them anymore.”
VARIATIONS
Chocolate Peppermint Trees
Use peppermint kisses and crushed candy canes.
Reindeer Cookie Version
Skip the tree and instead add pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a red M&M nose.
Snowy Christmas Trees
Use white icing instead of green for a snowy effect.
Almond Butter or Nut-Free
Swap peanut butter for almond butter OR use sunflower seed butter for nut-free cookies.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
These cookies shine on:
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Holiday dessert platters
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School bake sales
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Neighbor gift bags
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Office cookie exchanges
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Christmas Eve treats
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Hot cocoa parties
They also look gorgeous next to hot chocolate with whipped cream or served on a festive cake stand, just like in your photo.
CONCLUSION
Peanut Butter Christmas Tree Cookies bring together the very best of holiday baking: nostalgia, fun, flavor, and creativity. They’re whimsical enough to delight children yet delicious enough for adults to reach for again and again. With their sparkly sugar coating and tiny edible Christmas trees on top, they make every cookie platter feel magical.
