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!
No-Bake Christmas Tree Cookies
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 2 cups powdered icing sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 3 cups shredded coconut I used sweetened, but unsweetened would work fine
- 1/2 tsp vanilla or mint extract
- green food coloring
- 3/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp butter or margarine
- 1 tbsp milk
- mini M&Ms
Instructions
- 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.
Nutrition Information
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Renee Gaugh says
Can I freeze these to mail
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Renee! They freeze perfectly! I’ve not tried to mail them before so you would be experimenting if you do! Let me know how it goes!
Mary says
I’m going to make these and I want to know if you can freeze them and how.
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, they freeze perfectly! Just store in an airtight container
Joanna says
My mixture kept on crumbling. I couldn’t seem to form it. Could it be because I’m in s tropical county and the temp is different?
Ashley Fehr says
It’s possible that the humidity affected the cookie mixture but I can’t say I’ve had any issues with it holding together!
Coralie Ellingson says
I made these the other day. They’re so easy and fun to make ?
Camille says
I made these for a Christmas cookie exchange last week and won for cutest cookie. They were delicious and everyone loved them!
Ashley Fehr says
Yay! Congrats to you! I’m glad you liked them 🙂
Debbie says
What is icing sugar? And where do I get it?
Ashley Fehr says
It is also sometimes called powdered sugar or confectioner’s sugar
Venice says
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?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes definitely! I’d think they could be frozen up to a few months.
Mary says
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…
Mary says
Find it….
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Mary! I think you’ve found it but let me know if you still need help.
Dana says
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?
Ashley Fehr says
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?
Julie says
Hi Ashley
Can I have the ingredients amounts plz, can’t find them, not confident enough cook to wing it lol thank you
Ashley Fehr says
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!
Lynn says
It’s in the section above the directions.
Anupama says
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
Ashley Fehr says
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.
Amanda says
Damn! I wanted to make these so bad but I cannot STAND coconut 🙁
SpinninJenny says
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!!
Amanda Monroe says
I have made them with rice krispy and they came out great! Use a little water or oil on your hands when shaping the trees so they shape better
Ashley Fehr says
I love that idea!
Ella says
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.
Denise Brown says
I would just make rice crispy trees and drizzle a little white choclate and then sone sprinkles
Karen Howard says
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.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Karen! That’s a great idea!
Michelle Rittler @ Taste As You Go says
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!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Michelle!
Brenda Vallee says
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 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
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!
Paula says
did you use salted or unsalted butter?? ….planning on making this week! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
I use unsalted. Let me know how they turn out!
Paula says
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 😉
Ashley Fehr says
Haha, yes! They’re pretty sweet! Unsweetened coconut is a great idea 🙂
Lily says
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!
Ashley Fehr says
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!
Rebecca says
I was going to recommend to the people having trouble with the consistency to make sure the butter is room temperature – not too soft or too firm – just enough that your spatula presses into it while the butter still has form 🙂
The Recipe Rebel says
Thanks Rebecca!
rachel says
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.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Rachel! You’re on the right page. The recipe will be just above the comment section. Hope that helps!
Priscilla says
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!
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Priscilla — no problem! I’m using US cups.
Kentuckylady717 says
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 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
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!
Kathy says
It would have been nice to see a demonstration of how to make. I have to bring Christmas cookies and I can’t stand for very long. Looking for alternatives I can make.