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No-Bake Christmas Tree Cookies

written by Ashley Fehr

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5 from 19 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 24 cookies

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Last updated on December 4, 2024

These No Bake Christmas Tree Cookies are an easy no bake Christmas cookie that the whole family loves! Made with just a few ingredients and fun to decorate with the kids.

christmas tree cookies on a white platter with m&ms scattered around them.

You might also like these 35+ Easy Christmas Treats (no bake!), 31 Best Christmas Cookies Recipes or these Christmas Desserts!

Table of Contents

I love these No-Bake Christmas Tree Cookies because they take 30 minutes to make, use basic ingredients, and are perfect for the holiday season!

No-bake cookies are some of my favorite cookies to make when I need a quick make-ahead dessert, or I want to free up the oven for other things, especially during Christmas time.

I start off with a mixture of butter, milk, vanilla or mint extract, and shredded coconut. This base forms a moldable dough that I form into mini Christmas trees!

Then, I dip them in a mixture of melted white chocolate, cream, and butter for a snow-like effect! I also added mini M&Ms on the outside to mimic ornaments on a tree, but this is completely optional. 

ingredients needed for no bake christmas tree cookies in bowls.
  • Butter: We’re melting this to create the no-bake cookie dough. Use regular unsalted butter for this recipe!
  • Powdered icing sugar: Adds sweetness and thickens up the dough since it’s powdery, similar to how flour adds structure to regular cookies!
  • Milk: Thins the cookie mixture and adds creaminess. 
  • Shredded coconut: This provides texture and gives the cookies a slight coconut flavor, but it’s not too overpowering! Use unsweetened shredded coconut since the sugar already adds some sweetness. 
  • Mint extract: This is totally optional, but I love the flavor it adds! You can also use vanilla extract or almond extract if you’re not a fan of mint. 
  • Green food coloring: Gives our trees that classic green color! You can use powdered, liquid, or gel food coloring. 
  • White chocolate chips: This is melted to create the “snow” on top of the Christmas trees! You can use chips, chopped, or melting wafers for this recipe.
  • Cream: Adds a velvety smooth texture to the white chocolate mixture. 
  • Mini M&Ms: These act as the ornaments for our trees! However, you can leave them off if you like or add something fun like sprinkles.
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How to make the perfect holiday cookies:

Below are step by step photos for making these cookies. The detailed instructions are down in the recipe card at the bottom of the page!

  • Melt butter. Add in powdered sugar and milk. 
  • Stir in coconut, vanilla/mint, and green food coloring.
powdered sugar added to black frying pan with other ingredients.
Melt butter and add powdered sugar and milk.
shredded coconut added to black frying pan.
Add coconut, mint, milk, and food coloring.
  • Mix until a dough forms.
  • Shape dough into balls and then into tree shapes.
mixed green christmas tree cookie mixture in pan.
Mix until a dough forms.
a hand forming christmas tree cookies over pan.
Shape into trees.
  • Dip the frozen trees in the melted chocolate.
  • Add M&Ms.
a hand dipping a christmas tree cookie in a glass of white melted chocolate.
Dip in white chocolate.
a hand adding m&ms to christmas tree cookies.
Add M&Ms.

How to store these tasty Christmas Cookies:

I recommend storing these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. You can eat them straight from the fridge or let them warm up for a few minutes at room temperature!

Can I freeze these cookies?

Absolutely! I recommend making the recipe as directed and flash-freezing the cookies for 1-2 hours before adding them to an airtight container for up to 3 months. 

christmas tree cookies on a white surface with m&ms around them.

More Christmas cookies you’ll love:

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No-Bake Christmas Tree Cookies

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 19 votes
No-Bake Christmas Tree Cookies: SO easy, just a few ingredients! Perfect for decorating with the kids.
close up of christmas tree cookies on a white platter.
Review
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 163cal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 cups powdered icing sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 3 cups shredded coconut (unsweetened is best)
  • 1 teaspoon mint extract (optional)
  • green food coloring
  • ¾ cup white chocolate chips (or 100 grams chopped white chocolate or vanilla melting wafers)
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • mini M&Ms
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • In a large pot (or in the microwave), melt butter. Remove from heat.
  • Stir in powdered sugar and milk. Stir in coconut, vanilla/mint and enough food coloring to make the mixture green.
  • Shape into small balls (you might have to squeeze it to get it to stick), 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.
  • Place cookies uncovered on a baking sheet to set in the freezer for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • In a small pot, melt chocolate, 2 tablespoons cream and 1 teaspoon butter 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.

Notes

Ingredients and Substitutions:
  • Butter: I have not tried substituting this with anything other than dairy-free margarine, which works just fine.
  • Powdered sugar: these cookies are pretty sweet, but we like them. If you prefer less sweet desserts, you could try substituting about ½ cup of the powdered sugar for a no-bake safe unsweetened option, like almond or oat flour — although I have not tested the recipe this way.
  • Coconut: I highly recommend unsweetened coconut for this recipe so they are not overpoweringly sweet.
  • Mint: we love using mint in this recipe as it adds great flavor.
  • White chocolate: you can use chips, chopped, or melting wafers here. If you don’t like white chocolate, look for white vanilla melting wafers.
 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 163cal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 68mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 129IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Keywords christmas tree cookies

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Recipe from Company’s Coming for Christmas cookbook.

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  3. Donna says

    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?

    Reply

    • Ashley says

      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

      Reply

    • Ashley says

      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

      Reply

  17. Danielle says

    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!

    Reply
5 from 19 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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