Homemade Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
Homemade Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
Ingredients
For the Peanut Butter Filling
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Chocolate Coating
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- festive sprinkles, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix with an electric mixer or by hand until all ingredients are well combined and a thick, uniform dough forms.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the mixture later. Press the peanut butter mixture evenly into the prepared dish, ensuring it's smooth and compact.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Chill the peanut butter mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until it is firm enough to handle and cut without sticking.
⏱️ 30 min
- 4
Once firm, lift the peanut butter slab out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang. Place it on a clean surface. Using a small Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut out individual shapes. Gather any scraps, gently re-form them, and cut out additional trees until all the mixture is used.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Arrange the cut-out peanut butter trees on a baking sheet lined with fresh parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 15 minutes, or until the trees are very firm. This step is crucial for preventing them from falling apart during dipping.
⏱️ 15 min
- 6
While the peanut butter trees are freezing, prepare the chocolate coating. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, melt over a double boiler.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Remove the frozen peanut butter trees from the freezer. Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully dip each tree into the melted chocolate, ensuring it's fully coated. Lift the tree, gently tapping the fork against the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate.
⏱️ 15 min
- 8
Place the dipped trees back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. If desired, immediately sprinkle with festive sprinkles before the chocolate has a chance to set. Repeat with all remaining peanut butter trees.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Refrigerate the finished peanut butter Christmas trees for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate coating is completely set and firm. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
⏱️ 30 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Homemade Peanut Butter Christmas Trees
Ingredients
For the Peanut Butter Filling
- 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Chocolate Coating
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- festive sprinkles, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix with an electric mixer or by hand until all ingredients are well combined and a thick, uniform dough forms.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the mixture later. Press the peanut butter mixture evenly into the prepared dish, ensuring it's smooth and compact.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Chill the peanut butter mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until it is firm enough to handle and cut without sticking.
⏱️ 30 min - 4
Once firm, lift the peanut butter slab out of the dish using the parchment paper overhang. Place it on a clean surface. Using a small Christmas tree-shaped cookie cutter, cut out individual shapes. Gather any scraps, gently re-form them, and cut out additional trees until all the mixture is used.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Arrange the cut-out peanut butter trees on a baking sheet lined with fresh parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 15 minutes, or until the trees are very firm. This step is crucial for preventing them from falling apart during dipping.
⏱️ 15 min - 6
While the peanut butter trees are freezing, prepare the chocolate coating. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, melt over a double boiler.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Remove the frozen peanut butter trees from the freezer. Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully dip each tree into the melted chocolate, ensuring it's fully coated. Lift the tree, gently tapping the fork against the side of the bowl to remove any excess chocolate.
⏱️ 15 min - 8
Place the dipped trees back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. If desired, immediately sprinkle with festive sprinkles before the chocolate has a chance to set. Repeat with all remaining peanut butter trees.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Refrigerate the finished peanut butter Christmas trees for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate coating is completely set and firm. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
⏱️ 30 min