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.
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.
No-Bake Christmas Tree Cookie Ingredients:
- 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.
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.
- Mix until a dough forms.
- Shape dough into balls and then into tree shapes.
- Dip the frozen trees in the melted chocolate.
- 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.
More Christmas cookies you’ll love:
- Peppermint Bark — another simple no bake treat
- Christmas Sugar Cookies — fun for cutting out and decorating!
- The Best Snickerdoodle Recipe — the smell is amazing!
- Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe — perfectly soft and spiced.
No-Bake Christmas Tree Cookies
written by Ashley Fehr
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
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
- 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
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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.
Valerie says
Hi, may I use just powdered sugar for this recipe?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes, powdered sugar is the only sugar in the recipe. Sometimes in Canada we call it icing sugar. Hope that helps!
Valerie says
Thanks so much for the reply. Just wanted to make sure. Can’t wait to try them. Thanks again.
Ashley Fehr says
No problem! I hope you enjoy them!
Valerie says
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!
Anna says
These are so cute! Just wondering how long they would last in an air tight container?
Ashley says
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!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
I definitely need to jump on the Christmas baking wagon!! These trees are SOOO adorable!! What a creative and pretty easy treat!
Ashley says
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!
Serene @ House of Yumm says
Ashley! These are just the cutest things ever!!! Love them. Plus they’re no bake? I can totally handle that 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks Serene! No-bake is ALWAYS a plus!