Every December the peanut butter trees disappear from the store shelves fast, and these homemade ones taste even better. A soft peanut butter filling made with powdered sugar and a little graham cracker crumb is pressed flat, cut into trees with a cookie cutter, chilled, then dipped in melted milk chocolate. There is no baking, the kids can help cut the shapes, and they make a sweet gift tin or cookie-tray treat.
Why You’ll Love It
- No baking. Mix, cut, chill and dip.
- Five simple ingredients.
- Fun with kids. They love cutting out the trees.
What You Need
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural style)
- 4 tbsp butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (finely crushed)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips or melting wafers
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or shortening
- holiday sprinkles (optional)
How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Beat the peanut butter and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, graham crumbs and vanilla and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Press the dough onto the parchment about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cut out trees with a small tree cookie cutter, press the scraps together and cut again. Lay the trees on the pan.
- Freeze for 20 minutes so they are firm for dipping.
- Melt the chocolate with the coconut oil in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each tree with a fork, let the extra drip off, and set it back on the parchment. Add sprinkles right away.
- Chill for 15 minutes until the chocolate is set.
Tips
- Regular creamy peanut butter holds its shape better than natural peanut butter.
- If the dough is sticky, add a spoonful more powdered sugar.
- Work in small batches and keep the rest in the freezer so they stay firm while you dip.
Serving and Storing
Keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months. Let them sit out 10 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a cookie cutter?
No. Cut the dough into triangles with a knife for simple trees.
Can I use dark or white chocolate?
Yes. Any melting chocolate works. White chocolate tinted green looks very festive.
Why add graham crumbs?
They give the filling the slightly firm, sandy texture of the store-bought candy.
Homemade Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
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Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter not natural style
- 4 tbsp butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs finely crushed
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips or melting wafers
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or shortening
- holiday sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Beat the peanut butter and butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, graham crumbs and vanilla and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Press the dough onto the parchment about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cut out trees with a small tree cookie cutter, press the scraps together and cut again. Lay the trees on the pan.
- Freeze for 20 minutes so they are firm for dipping.
- Melt the chocolate with the coconut oil in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each tree with a fork, let the extra drip off, and set it back on the parchment. Add sprinkles right away.
- Chill for 15 minutes until the chocolate is set.
Notes
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