Chocolate trees are a fun, festive treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Made by piping melted chocolate into tree shapes and decorating them with sprinkles, crushed candy, or edible glitter, they’re perfect for holidays, parties, or as edible gifts. Whether I’m making them for a dessert platter or using them to decorate cakes and cupcakes, these sweet little trees always add charm.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s easy, creative, and totally customizable. I can use any kind of chocolate—dark, milk, or white—and decorate the trees however I like. They’re no-bake, quick to make, and look impressive with minimal effort. It’s a fun project to do with kids or to prep ahead for holiday treats, and they always make desserts look a little more magical.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (dark, milk, or white)
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Coconut oil or shortening (optional, for smoother melting)
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Sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or edible glitter (for decoration)
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Mini pretzel sticks or paper straws (optional, for tree trunks)
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Wax paper or parchment paper (for piping)
Directions
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I melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler until smooth, adding a bit of coconut oil if I want a glossier finish.
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I line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
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I spoon the melted chocolate into a piping bag or plastic sandwich bag and snip a small corner.
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I pipe tree shapes directly onto the parchment, starting with a trunk (or placing a pretzel stick down first) and zig-zagging the chocolate into a tree shape.
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While the chocolate is still soft, I decorate with sprinkles or crushed candy.
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I let the trees set at room temperature or pop the tray into the fridge for faster hardening.
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Once firm, I gently peel them off the paper and store in a cool place until ready to use.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 10–12 chocolate trees, depending on size.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Chill time: 15–20 minutes
Total time: 25–30 minutes
Variations
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I use white chocolate and tint it green with food coloring for a more tree-like look.
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I add peppermint extract or orange zest to the chocolate for a flavor twist.
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For a nutty version, I sprinkle chopped almonds or pistachios on top.
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I sometimes use them as cupcake toppers, hot cocoa stirrers, or add them to gingerbread scenes.
storage/reheating
I store the chocolate trees in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.
If the room is warm, I keep them in the fridge to prevent melting.
I avoid stacking them directly to keep them from breaking—wax paper between layers works great.
FAQs
Can I use candy melts instead of real chocolate?
Yes, I’ve used candy melts for bright colors or added stability. They don’t taste as rich, but they’re easy to work with.
How do I make sure the trees don’t break?
I pipe them a little thicker at the base and chill them until completely firm before peeling off the paper.
Can I make these in advance?
Absolutely. I often make them several days ahead and store them in the fridge until I’m ready to use or gift them.
What’s the best chocolate to use?
I like using good-quality chocolate chips or baking bars. Dark chocolate sets well and has a rich flavor, but white and milk chocolate work too.
Can I use them to decorate cakes?
Yes! I press them gently into the frosting just before serving. They look great on winter-themed cakes or cupcakes.
Conclusion
Chocolate trees are one of my favorite edible decorations to make. They’re quick, charming, and bring a little magic to any dessert table. Whether I’m gifting them, decorating with them, or just making a sweet treat, these festive chocolate trees always bring smiles—and they taste just as good as they look
Print
Chocolate Trees
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 chocolate trees
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chocolate trees are festive, no-bake treats made by piping melted chocolate into tree shapes and decorating them with sprinkles or candy. Perfect for holidays, parties, or edible gifts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (dark, milk, or white)
- 1 tsp coconut oil or shortening (optional, for smoother melting)
- Sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or edible glitter (for decoration)
- 10–12 mini pretzel sticks or paper straws (optional, for tree trunks)
- Wax paper or parchment paper (for piping)
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler until smooth. Stir in coconut oil if using for a glossier finish.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
- Spoon the melted chocolate into a piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag and snip a small corner.
- Pipe tree shapes onto the parchment, starting with a trunk (or placing a pretzel stick down first) and zig-zagging the chocolate into a tree shape.
- While the chocolate is still soft, decorate with sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or edible glitter.
- Let the trees set at room temperature or chill in the fridge until firm (about 15–20 minutes).
- Once set, gently peel the trees off the paper and store in a cool place until ready to use.
Notes
- Use food coloring to tint white chocolate for a more tree-like look.
- Add peppermint extract or orange zest to flavor the chocolate.
- Sprinkle chopped nuts for a nutty variation.
- Use as cupcake toppers, hot cocoa stirrers, or in gingerbread scenes.
- Store with wax paper between layers to prevent breaking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tree
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
