Festive No-Bake Christmas Treats Recipe

Jolly Holiday Magic: Festive No-Bake Christmas Treats Recipe

When the holiday season sparkles with coconut no-bake Christmas treats, sweet magic happens in kitchens everywhere.

These delightful confections require zero oven time and minimal effort.

Effortless desserts bring joy during busy celebrations.

Rich, creamy, and wonderfully festive, they melt in your mouth with pure delight.

Sugary goodness combines with simple ingredients to create memorable moments.

You’ll love how quickly these treats come together for delicious winter gatherings.

Deck the table with these irresistible sweets and watch smiles spread like twinkling holiday lights.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20-30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 195 kcal

Servings: 24

No-Bake Christmas Treats Recipe Ingredient Rundown

For Chocolate Coating and Toppings:
  • Chocolate Chips: Rich base for creating smooth, glossy coating that binds treats together.
  • White Chocolate Chips: Creates creamy layer with elegant winter feel.
  • Candy Canes: Adds festive peppermint crunch and holiday spirit.
  • Holiday Sprinkles: Brings playful color and whimsical texture to treats.
  • M&Ms: Provides colorful accent and sweet crunch.
For Base and Binding Ingredients:
  • Pretzels: Provides salty, crispy foundation with perfect shape for dipping.
  • Rice Krispies Cereal: Creates light, airy texture with delightful crunch.
  • Marshmallows: Offers soft, pillowy structure for snowmen design.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Peanut Butter: Delivers rich, nutty undertone with creamy consistency.
  • Caramel Candies: Introduces buttery sweetness and gooey texture.
  • Toothpicks: Serves as structural support for assembling marshmallow figures.

Tools for Crafting No-Bake Christmas Treats

  • Microwave or Double Boiler: Essential for melting chocolate and caramel smoothly and safely.
  • Parchment Paper: Perfect for preventing sticky treats from sticking and easy cleanup.
  • Baking Sheet: Great for arranging and cooling your festive treats.
  • Toothpicks: Helpful for creating adorable marshmallow snowmen and precise chocolate designs.
  • Measuring Spoons: Useful for scooping and portioning ingredients accurately.
  • Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining ingredients like Rice Krispies and chocolate.
  • Spatula or Spoon: Helps mix and spread chocolate and other ingredients evenly.

Make Your No-Bake Christmas Treats in Minutes

  • Melt Chocolate Goodness

Grab your favorite chocolate and gently warm it until smooth and silky. Prepare a workspace with parchment paper ready for delicious magic.

  • Dunk Crunchy Pretzels

Dive those salty pretzels into the melted chocolate, making sure they’re completely coated. Let extra chocolate drip off gently.

  • Sprinkle Holiday Cheer

While chocolate is still wet, shower your chocolate-covered pretzels with festive sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Go wild with your decoration style!

  • Chill and Set

Pop your chocolate-covered pretzels into the refrigerator. Let them hang out and get firm for about 15 minutes until the chocolate becomes solid and crisp.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Peel the pretzels carefully from the parchment paper. Stack them on a cute holiday plate and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement. These treats are perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying all by yourself!

Tweak Your Christmas Treats with These Fun Ideas

  • Perfect Pretzel Technique: Ensure pretzels are completely dry before dipping to help chocolate adhere smoothly and prevent cracking.
  • Holiday Sprinkle Magic: Mix different colored and shaped sprinkles for a festive look that adds extra Christmas cheer to your treats.
  • Kid-Friendly Decorating Station: Set up a fun workspace where children can help decorate treats, making it a delightful family activity with safe, easy steps.
  • Allergy-Friendly Swaps: Replace chocolate with dairy-free alternatives, use gluten-free pretzels, or swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for guests with dietary restrictions.
  • Make-Ahead Meal Prep: These no-bake treats can be prepared up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, perfect for holiday entertaining or gifting.

Festive Ways to Serve No-Bake Christmas Treats

  • Holiday Party Platter Magic: Arrange the no-bake treats on a festive serving board with pine sprigs and twinkling lights for maximum wow factor.
  • Gifting Delights: Package these treats in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifts that spread sweet cheer.
  • Kid-Friendly Decorating Station: Set up a fun area where children can add sprinkles, draw faces on snowmen, and get creative with chocolate dipping and toppings.
  • Beverage Pairing Perfection: Serve these treats alongside warm hot chocolate, peppermint mocha, or classic milk for a delightful seasonal snacking experience.

Storing Christmas Treats to Stay Fresh and Fun

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your festive treats fresh and delightful.
  • Chilled Protection: Store treats in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
  • Quick Freezing Strategy: Freeze most no-bake treats for 4-6 weeks. Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
  • Room Temperature Magic: Chocolate-based treats stay best at cool room temperatures (60-70°F). Place in sealed containers away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent melting.
  • Moisture Management: Add silica gel packets to storage containers to absorb excess humidity, keeping treats crisp and preventing chocolate from developing a dull appearance.
Print
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Festive No-Bake Christmas Treats Recipe

Festive No-Bake Christmas Treats Recipe


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4.7 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Festive no-bake christmas treats combine sweet chocolate and holiday cheer in a simple dessert. Home bakers can quickly prepare these delightful morsels for family gatherings and seasonal celebrations.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (350 g / 12.35 oz) semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (175 g / 6.17 oz) white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (175 g / 6.17 oz) milk chocolate chips, melted
  • 2 cups (350 g / 12.35 oz) white chocolate chips or candy melts
  • 1 (8 oz / 225 g) block cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (125 g / 4.4 oz) peanut butter
  • 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 1 bag (10 oz / 280 g) marshmallows
  • 1 package (36) oreos, finely crushed
  • 24 Ritz crackers
  • 3 tbsps butter
  • ½ tsp peppermint extract
  • ½ cup crushed candy canes
  • Mini pretzels (for antlers)
  • Red M&Ms (for noses)
  • Candy eyes
  • Christmas sprinkles (for decorating)
  • Green food coloring
  • Mini M&Ms
  • Star-shaped candies

Instructions

  1. Chocolate Pretzel Decorating: Submerge pretzels entirely in melted chocolate, ensuring complete coverage. While chocolate remains liquid, immediately dust with holiday sprinkles or finely crushed candy canes for a festive appearance.
  2. Marshmallow Snowmen Assembly: Thread three marshmallows vertically onto a toothpick. Use melted chocolate to meticulously draw facial features and buttons. Attach a tiny candy cane fragment as a scarf and position a colorful M&M as a nose to complete the winter character.
  3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Clusters: Thoroughly blend melted chocolate, peanut butter, and crispy rice cereal. Gently drop small clusters onto parchment paper and embellish with festive sprinkles for added visual appeal and texture.
  4. Caramel Pretzel Bites Construction: Position pretzels on a flat surface. Microwave caramel candies briefly to soften, then place on each pretzel. Immediately press a second pretzel or colorful M&M on top, creating a harmonious sweet and salty combination.
  5. Peppermint Bark Crafting: Spread white chocolate evenly across parchment paper. Generously scatter crushed candy canes over the surface, creating a visually stunning holiday treat. Allow complete solidification before breaking into irregular, artisanal pieces.

Notes

  • Chocolate Coating Technique: Ensure melted chocolate is smooth and completely liquid for even coverage on pretzels and other treats.
  • Temperature Control: Work quickly while chocolate or caramel is warm to prevent premature hardening and maintain glossy appearance.
  • Decorating Pro Tip: Apply sprinkles or crushed candy immediately after coating to guarantee they stick perfectly to the melted surface.
  • Creativity Boost: Experiment with different chocolate types, sprinkle colors, and candy combinations to personalize holiday treats and make them uniquely festive.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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