Introduction

Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Trees are a festive and delicious holiday treat that combine creamy peanut butter with rich chocolate. These bite-sized goodies are perfect for gifting or enjoying at holiday parties. Simple to make and sure to impress, they bring together classic flavors in a fun seasonal shape.

The image shows a close-up of several chocolate-covered cookies shaped like Christmas trees, arranged on a white plate. Each cookie has a smooth, thick milk chocolate coating as the base layer. On top, there are thin, drizzled lines of lighter brown chocolate or white chocolate, creating decorative stripes across the surface of the cookies. The cookies are stacked and overlapping, with the focus on the front cookie that clearly shows the tree shape and chocolate drizzle details. The background features a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup salted butter (melted and cooled)

2 cups creamy peanut butter

¼ cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

4 cups powdered sugar

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or a mix of semi and milk chocolate chips)

2 tablespoons shortening

½ cup milk chocolate chips (or pieces)

½ cup white chocolate chips (or pieces)

1 teaspoon shortening (divided in half)

Instructions

Step 1: Line a jelly roll or half sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2: Using a hand mixer, beat together the melted butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until fully combined.

Step 3: Press the peanut butter mixture evenly into the lined pan to about ½-inch thickness.

Step 4: Place the pan in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up the mixture.

Step 5: Lift the parchment paper to remove the chilled peanut butter layer from the pan. Place a fresh sheet of parchment paper back on the pan.

Step 6: Use a cookie cutter to cut out ½-inch thick Christmas tree shapes from the chilled peanut butter layer.

Step 7: Arrange the cutouts on a parchment-lined sheet pan and freeze for 30 minutes to firm completely.

Step 8: Gather the leftover peanut butter mixture, press it again to ½-inch thickness, and cut additional shapes as needed.

Step 9: After the cutouts have chilled for 25 minutes, prepare the chocolate coating.

Step 10: Combine the milk chocolate chips and 2 tablespoons shortening in a heatproof bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted.

Step 11: Using a fork, dip each peanut butter tree into the melted chocolate, coating completely. Tap off excess chocolate and place on the parchment-lined pan.

Step 12: Work in batches, coating the cutouts before they soften.

Step 13: Allow the chocolate coating to harden at room temperature.

Step 14: For an optional drizzle, melt the white chocolate chips (or pieces) and ½ teaspoon shortening in the microwave in 30-second increments until smooth.

Step 15: Transfer the melted chocolate to a small bag or piping bag. Snip a small corner and drizzle over the coated trees in a zigzag pattern. Let set for about 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use a mix of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips for a balanced sweetness.

For a festive touch, sprinkle crushed candy canes or colored sugar over the chocolate before it sets.

If white chocolate is too thick for drizzling, add a little cream or shortening to thin it out.

Substitute natural peanut butter, but expect a slightly different texture.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, these treats can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container. Just keep them refrigerated if your home is warm, and bring them to room temperature before serving.

What if I don’t have a Christmas tree cookie cutter?

You can use other festive-shaped cookie cutters or simply cut the peanut butter layer into squares or triangles for the coating step. The taste remains delicious regardless of the shape.