So I was determined this year to get a really good amount of Christmas baking done.
In fact, I started Christmas baking in July.
Last year, I didn’t do any Christmas baking. I didn’t even get a Christmas tree or any decorations.
We moved into our new house December 28 last year, so we were pretty much living out of boxes by that point, and things were pretty crazy.
I was determined to do better this year. Get a good early start and just go all out.
But this year, I’m expecting our second child right around December 15. Which really means probably sometime between December 1 and December 31 I’ll have a baby. That makes things a little hard to plan for.
However, it’s been just the push I needed this year to get a good early start, because I definitely wanted to have some recipes to share with you guys throughout December, regardless of when baby decides to make his or her appearance.
So just because you haven’t been seeing them until now doesn’t mean I have been baking all things red and green and peppermint/white chocolate/gingerbread/cranberry – I’ve just been hiding them on you until the time was right.
That is, I’ve been saving them for you so that when the rest of the world starts Christmas baking, I’ll be ready with some awesome treats for you guys.
My mom made these for Christmas when we were still at home (though she tells me only once), and I knew I wanted to recreate them. I’ve been seriously lacking in the cute-and-seasonal category for pretty much every holiday up until now, and I wanted to fix that.
Plus, I really, really like Christmas.
The original recipe didn’t have the mini M&M’s, but I thought it might add more of a Christmas touch to my snow-capped trees.
Plus, chocolate.
When I was decorating them my husband came in and I told him I was only going to put the M&M’s on enough for my daughter’s day care friends, as a little farewell gift before I was at home with 2 kids.
He says to me, ” you’re only putting the M&M’s on those ones??”
I could hear his disappointment.
I explained to him that it was a little fussy and time-consuming, with the gooey chocolate getting on your fingers and then making it difficult to get the M&M’s on the trees…. etc., etc., etc..
And after he left I added M&M’s to all of them. Because baking for men is a lot like baking for children, I find. They get kind of excited about bright colors and such.
And plus, chocolate.
So they might not look super fancy, or even neat, but you should see the way my husband’s girl’s eyes lit up when she saw them. I have a feeling I’ll be making a few batches!
See how easy they are to make and follow me on YouTube!
You might also like these Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies!
Or this Spanish Omelette for an easy holiday breakfast!
- ½ cup butter or margarine
- 2 cups powdered icing sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 3 cups shredded coconut (I used sweetened, but unsweetened would work fine)
- ½ tsp vanilla or mint extract
- green food coloring
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp butter or margarine
- 1 tbsp milk
- mini M&Ms
- In a large pot, melt butter. Remove from heat.
- Stir in icing sugar and milk. Stir in coconut, vanilla/mint and enough food coloring to make the mixture green.
- Shape into small balls, and using the tips of your fingers gently squeeze one side of the ball until it takes on a cone shape. It might take a few tries to get them how you like them, but if the mixture gets too cool to work with you can always heat on low a minute or 2.
- If you see any later you want to reshape, they are easily reshaped at room temperature.
- Put uncovered on a baking sheet to set either in the fridge for 2-3 hours or the freezer for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- In a small pot, melt chocolate, 1 tsp butter and 1 tbsp milk over low heat, stirring, until smooth. Dip the tops of the cookies in the white chocolate to look like snow. Add mini M&M's if desired.
- Set in the fridge or freezer to set before storing in an air tight container.
Recipe from Company’s Coming for Christmas cookbook.
I made these for a Christmas cookie exchange last week and won for cutest cookie. They were delicious and everyone loved them!
Yay! Congrats to you! I’m glad you liked them 🙂
Can these be frozen over a period of time? I would like to make them this week since I have the time and then just freeze until next weekend?
Yes definitely! I’d think they could be frozen up to a few months.
Trying to find how much to put of each ingredients but can’t find need the no bake Christmas trees thanks so much can’t wait to make…
Find it….
Hi Mary! I think you’ve found it but let me know if you still need help.
Ashley,
I made these last night but they were very sticky and they wouldn’t stay in shape. What did I do wrong? I’m thinking I need to ass more coconut but I’m not sure. What would you recommend?
Hi Dana! I’m sorry to hear that! I’ve made the recipe a few times and I’ve never had any issues — it’s actually one my mom made when we were younger! I think it sounds like you need to add a bit more coconut. Or maybe try chilling them if your butter was very warm?
Hi Ashley
Can I have the ingredients amounts plz, can’t find them, not confident enough cook to wing it lol thank you
Hi Julie! The ingredient amounts are listed right in the recipe. If you don’t see it, just keep scrolling until you find it! If you’re on a mobile phone, you might have to click the pink “get the recipe” button. I hope that helps!
It’s in the section above the directions.
hi,
these look lovely! what can I use instead of coconut to make it nut free? my sons’ school has a not nuts policy…
thank you 🙂
Anu
Hi Anupama, I think you really need to look for another recipe if you’re trying to avoid coconut. It is the main ingredient in these.
Damn! I wanted to make these so bad but I cannot STAND coconut 🙁
Maybe you could try a Rice Krispy Treats/marshmallow recipe. You should be able to shape it into tree shapes. I’ve already made enough coconut recipes this year, so I’ll save this for next year, and make Rice Krispy treats trees. It’s a great idea!!
These are just too cute! I’ll DEFINATELY be selling these at my school’s Christmas bake sale this year to raise money for the poor! I was just wondering if there was anything else I could use as the ‘snow’ instead of white chocolate but if not that’s fine too.
I would just make rice crispy trees and drizzle a little white choclate and then sone sprinkles
Thanks for being here & sharing this Cute & Pretty No Bake Christmas Recipe! They are Darling & I have to make some for sure. I may even use some Red Hots Cinnamon Candies on some of them.
Thanks Karen! That’s a great idea!
Thanks for allowing me to feature your recipe in my round-up of 60 Ultimate Cookie Exchange Recipes on Taste As You Go. Happy Holidays!
Thanks Michelle!
Ashley, my daughter came home from school and told me they are having a Christmas party tomorrow so what should we make?? She turned down all my suggestions of cookies and brownies, etc then she mentioned she’d like something like Christmas trees and into my head popped these no-bake Christmas trees I remembered watching your YouTube video about. So, a quick trip to the store to gather ingredients and some sticky fingers later we are done and ready for the party – Success!! Thanks for posting your recipes on fb too 🙂
Haha, that’s awesome! I’m glad they worked out for you! My mom made them when we were younger and I know they’re a big hit here too 🙂 Thanks Brenda!
did you use salted or unsalted butter?? ….planning on making this week! 🙂
I use unsalted. Let me know how they turn out!
well, they turned out great! However, they are REALLY, really sweet LOL sugar, on top of sugar on top of sugar…. wondering if unsweetened coconut would have made a difference. Will try again for a family gathering with that slight alteration. This batch went to work….but that’s ok, they needed a little sweetening up anyway 😉
Haha, yes! They’re pretty sweet! Unsweetened coconut is a great idea 🙂
These are so beautiful, but mine turned out terribly! They taste good but look awful. I just couldn’t get my trees to stick together at all when I was shaping them! They kept crumbling apart into little bits. I followed the recipe to the letter, too. 🙁 Thanks for a cute idea, I wish it had worked out for me!
That’s too bad Lily! It sounds like they were a little dry. I would just add a bit of milk or melted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time until they stay together when you squeeze them. I hope that helps!
I saw the recipe for the no bake christmas tree but can t find the recipe. Even on the tutorial, you do not mention the ingredients. What is my problem?? Rachel from QUEBEC.
Hi Rachel! You’re on the right page. The recipe will be just above the comment section. Hope that helps!
Are you using US cups or Metric cups? I have to convert everything to grams, so I’m trying to figure out what system you’re using. Thanks!
Hi Priscilla — no problem! I’m using US cups.
Thank you for posting a great recipe and I especially like the video you did…..so we can see just how you did it…..I have not seen these before and they are so pretty and rather simple to make , just time consuming…….
Just signed up for your blog too……this recipe is a keeper 🙂
Thank you so much! They are actually not too time consuming — they set up pretty quickly so you can dip and decorate! I guess the M&M’s can take a little time but totally worth it 😉 Hope you like them!
Hi, may I use just powdered sugar for this recipe?
Yes, powdered sugar is the only sugar in the recipe. Sometimes in Canada we call it icing sugar. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much for the reply. Just wanted to make sure. Can’t wait to try them. Thanks again.
No problem! I hope you enjoy them!
Hi, can’t wait to make this with my Granddaughter. Just a question (sorry if it’s already been addressed). Some say there is a difference between powdered sugar and powdered icing sugar. Is “powdered sugar” acceptable for this recipe? Thanks so much!
These are so cute! Just wondering how long they would last in an air tight container?
I think they would last quite a while, but if you’re wanting to store them for more than a couple days I would freeze them. They freeze beautifully and thaw quickly at room temperature!
I definitely need to jump on the Christmas baking wagon!! These trees are SOOO adorable!! What a creative and pretty easy treat!
Thanks Jess! I knew in a few weeks I wouldn’t have much time, so I just got right on it. I have totally been loving it though!
Ashley! These are just the cutest things ever!!! Love them. Plus they’re no bake? I can totally handle that 🙂
Thanks Serene! No-bake is ALWAYS a plus!
Wow these christmas trees look AWESOME. I almost wouldn’t want to eat them and destroy all the effort you put into them! Pinned!
Haha, thanks Thalia! That didn’t stop us from devouring them… Lol
These are seriously adorable! I have a 3 year old who will love making and eating these! Thank you & all the best for the bug day 🙂
I meant big day, going to get more coffee 😀
Haha — thanks! My girl absolutely adores them!
Hi Ashley, I’m not the type who works at the kitchen but I wanted to try this one. I’m just quit confused if shredded coconut is the same as dedicated coconut?
I’m sure you could use either! I think shredded might have longer pieces, but both should work fine.
YES is all I can say to this Christmas perfection recipe!
Haha, thanks Jocelyn!
These are so cute and festive, Ashley! Awesome job!
Thanks Shinee!
Oh my goodness girl, these are super adorable! I love that they are no bake too! You are a rockstar for being so ahead of the game especially since you’re almost due! I love these!
Thanks Kelly! No-bake treats rock my world these days. Starting in October helps! Lol
These holiday cookies are too cute! Love that they are no-bake!
Thanks Julia! You can’t go wrong with no-bake!
Oh my gosh this is so cute!! I love that they are no bake 🙂
Thanks Zainab!
Saw these on Google + and had to check them out – talk about gorgeous! Super cute holiday treat!
Thanks so much Jessica!
These are beyond adorable!!!
Thanks Amanda!
Those are adorable Ashley! My kids would absolutely love those, so cute!
Thanks Stacey!
You are already WAY ahead of me with Christmas baking, and 9 months pregnant no less! I really need to step up my game here. These christmas tree cookies are so cute! And I love that they are no bake : )
Thanks Natalie! Only because I started long ago, and I knew I’d be 9 months pregnant when I really wanted to be doing Christmas baking! Lol
These are so cute! I love all the colors and I can’t believe they’re no bake! Awesome addition to the Christmas baking list 🙂
Thanks Medha! You can’t go wrong with M&M’s 🙂
These are just so adorable!!! I don’t believe you are churning out adorable edibles like this when you are almost due!
Thank you and hoping everything goes well during this last stretch.
xx
Thanks Shashi! I’ve been trying to stock up on some recipes for a while now, and I’m almost ready for a “break”! Lol
Adorable christmas food? CHECK. These are like a salute to cute!
Thsnks CakeSpy!
Ashley, these cookies are GORGEOUS! I absolutely love that these are no-bake. What a creative cookie!
Thanks Gayle! I tell myself I made them for my kid, but they are pretty tasty!
You’re way ahead of the game, Ive barely started baking Christmas cookies! I love how cute these cookies are they’re seriously adorable! I can see why your daughter loved them. So fun!
Lol. I feel like I had no choice but to be ahead of the game this year! 😉
These are beyond cute and seriously stunning, Ashley! I can honestly understand why your husband would love them so much, because I know I wouldn’t be able to control myself around these! 🙂 Pinning!
Haha, I think it was the M&m’s that got him 😉 Thanks Sarah!
I’ve got 4 words for these: A-dor-a -ble! These are just what my holiday needs!
Thanks!
What a cute idea! They look so tasty and festive 🙂
Thanks so much!