Christmas Tree Desserts: 16 Festive Showstoppers That Look Fancy but Start With Cookies, Cones and Brownies

Christmas tree desserts are the easiest way to make a holiday table look like a bakery window. Pastry chefs post chocolate and cake Christmas trees every December, and those videos pull tens of millions of views. The good news is that home bakers can get the same wow with simple shortcuts: ice cream cones, star cookies, a pan of brownies, store-bought puff pastry and a little green frosting. Below you will find sweet trees for kids’ baking day, a viral cake dip, a savory cheese ball tree and even a fresh fruit tree. Every one comes with a short ingredient list and easy steps. Which one will land on your table first..

Ice Cream Cone Trees, the Easiest Christmas Tree Desserts

A world famous pastry chef’s chocolate Christmas tree has been watched more than 78 million times on YouTube. You do not need his skills to put a tree on your dessert table this year. Cones, star cookies, brownies and a little green frosting do most of the work. Start with the easiest of all: sugar cones turned upside down, piped with green buttercream and dotted with sprinkle ornaments. Kids can decorate a whole forest in 20 minutes..

You will need: 12 sugar cones, 3 cups buttercream (1 cup butter, 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp milk, 1 tsp vanilla), green gel food color, a piping bag with a star or grass tip, colorful nonpareils, small yellow candy stars.

How to make it: 1. Beat the butter until fluffy, then add the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. 2. Tint the buttercream deep green. 3. Stand the cones upside down on a tray. 4. Pipe small stars or pulled points from the bottom to the tip. 5. Shake on sprinkles as ornaments. 6. Press a yellow candy star on top and chill 15 minutes to set.

Stacked Star Cookie Tree, Queen of Christmas Tree Desserts

Of all the Christmas tree desserts, this is the one that makes guests stop and stare, and it is just sugar cookies. Cut stars in 8 to 10 sizes, bake them, then stack them from biggest to smallest, turning each one a little so the points spiral up like branches. A dab of icing holds every layer in place. Pipe green edges on each star and finish with a snowy dusting of powdered sugar. Would you put a star on top or leave it plain?

You will need: 1 batch sugar cookie dough (about 3 cups flour, 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla), 8 to 10 graduated star cookie cutters, 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp milk, green gel food color, sprinkles, extra powdered sugar for dusting.

How to make it: 1. Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick and cut 2 stars of each size. 2. Bake at 350 F for 7 to 10 minutes, smaller stars for less time, and cool. 3. Mix powdered sugar and milk into a thick icing and tint half of it green. 4. Pipe green edges on each star. 5. Stack the stars largest to smallest with a dot of white icing between, turning each one. 6. Dust with powdered sugar.

Triangle Brownie Trees, Christmas Tree Desserts From One Pan

Bake one pan of brownies and you have a whole forest of Christmas tree desserts. Cut the slab into long triangles, push a pretzel stick into the wide end for a trunk, and pipe a white or green zigzag across each one like garland. A red candy star on top and they are done. Kids love decorating these, and they travel well to school parties and cookie swaps. Fudgy or cakey brownies at your house?

You will need: 1 box brownie mix or your favorite 9×13 brownie recipe (plus the eggs and oil it needs), 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 to 2 tbsp milk, green gel food color (optional), 12 pretzel sticks, red star sprinkles or candies.

How to make it: 1. Bake the brownies in a 9×13 pan lined with parchment and cool completely. 2. Lift out and cut into 3 long strips, then cut each strip into triangles. 3. Push a pretzel stick into the base of each triangle. 4. Stir powdered sugar and milk into a pipeable icing, tinted green if you like. 5. Pipe a zigzag down each tree. 6. Add a star on top and let set 20 minutes.

Snack Cake Dip, the Viral Holiday Dip Everyone Is Making

This is the snack cake dip that keeps popping up in holiday videos, and one version from a small channel passed 926,000 views in just 12 days this October. You do not need the packaged tree cakes to join the Christmas tree desserts trend. Whip cream cheese with dry vanilla cake mix and whipped topping, fold in sprinkles and crumbled vanilla cake, then add a green drizzle. Set out crackers and wafers and watch it disappear. Have you tried a dessert dip yet?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese (softened), 1 cup dry vanilla cake mix (heat treated in the microwave to 160 F), 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping, 1 cup crumbled vanilla cake or snack cakes, 2 tbsp red and green sprinkles, green icing, graham crackers, vanilla wafers and pretzels.

How to make it: 1. Heat the cake mix in the microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring, until it reaches 160 F, then cool. 2. Beat the cream cheese, cake mix and powdered sugar until smooth. 3. Fold in the whipped topping. 4. Fold in the crumbled cake and most of the sprinkles. 5. Spread in a shallow bowl, drizzle with green icing and add the rest of the sprinkles. 6. Chill 1 hour and serve with dippers.

Iced Sugar Cookies, the Christmas Tree Desserts Kids Decorate

Sometimes the simplest Christmas tree desserts are still the favorites: a soft sugar cookie cut like a tree, flooded with green icing and dotted with candy ornaments. The trick is a thick outline first and a thinner flood icing inside, so the color stays neat. Let the kids add the sprinkles while the icing is still wet. Do you decorate cookies with the whole family?

You will need: 1 batch sugar cookie dough, a Christmas tree cookie cutter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp meringue powder, 5 to 6 tbsp water, green and yellow gel food color, nonpareils and small candy pearls.

How to make it: 1. Roll the dough 1/4 inch thick, cut trees and bake at 350 F for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely. 2. Beat powdered sugar, meringue powder and water into a stiff icing. 3. Tint most of it green and a little yellow for stars. 4. Pipe a green outline, then thin some icing with water and flood the middle. 5. Add sprinkles while wet. 6. Pipe a yellow star and let dry 6 hours.

Pull-Apart Cupcake Tree for a Crowd

Arrange 16 cupcakes on a board in rows of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, with one at the bottom for the trunk, and frost them all at once with one big swoop of green buttercream. Suddenly it looks like a cake, but everyone still grabs a single cupcake. Among Christmas tree desserts, it is the easiest way to feed a crowd at a class party or church supper. Chocolate or vanilla underneath?

You will need: 16 chocolate or vanilla cupcakes (one batch plus a few), 3 cups buttercream (1 cup butter, 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tbsp milk, 1 tsp vanilla), green gel food color, round candies or sprinkles for ornaments, a yellow candy star, a large board.

How to make it: 1. Bake and cool the cupcakes. 2. Set them on the board in a triangle: rows of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, plus 1 for the trunk. 3. Beat the buttercream and tint it bright green. 4. Spread it across the tops so they look like one tree, filling the gaps. 5. Add candies for ornaments and a star on top. 6. Frost the trunk cupcake with chocolate.

Strawberry Santas and Strawberry Cone Trees

Fresh strawberries make the lightest Christmas tree desserts on the table. Cut off the top, pipe a little cream between the two pieces and you have a tiny Santa with a hat. For a tree, stand a sugar cone on a plate and press strawberries all over it with dots of whipped cream. Both are bright, juicy and ready in minutes. Which one would your kids pick?

You will need: 1 lb large strawberries, 1 cup heavy cream whipped with 2 tbsp powdered sugar (or canned whipped cream), mini chocolate chips for eyes, 1 sugar cone, toothpicks, powdered sugar for dusting.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the berries and cut off the leafy tops. 2. For Santas, cut the tip off each berry for the hat. 3. Pipe whipped cream on the base, set the tip on top and add a dot of cream as a pom pom. 4. Press in 2 mini chips for eyes. 5. For a tree, cover a sugar cone with whipped cream and press on strawberries, tips out. 6. Dust with powdered sugar snow and serve soon.

Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rod Trees

Sweet and salty Christmas tree desserts, and no oven needed. Dip long pretzel rods in green candy melts, drizzle on white chocolate garland and add a tiny star at the top. They look adorable standing in a jar and they make great gifts in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon. Make a big batch in under 30 minutes. Would you keep these or give them away?

You will need: 12 pretzel rods, 12 oz green candy melts, 4 oz white chocolate, 1 tsp coconut oil, red and white sprinkles, tiny yellow star sprinkles, parchment paper.

How to make it: 1. Melt the green candy melts with half the coconut oil in 30 second bursts. 2. Dip two thirds of each rod, letting the extra drip off. 3. Lay on parchment and add sprinkles while wet. 4. Melt the white chocolate with the rest of the oil. 5. Drizzle zigzags over each rod. 6. Press a star on top and chill 15 minutes until set.

Puff Pastry Tree With Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

Of all these Christmas tree desserts, this one looks like it came from a French bakery and it uses just two sheets of store-bought puff pastry. Spread chocolate hazelnut spread on one sheet, cover with the second, cut out a big tree, then slice the sides into strips and twist each one into a branch. It bakes up flaky and golden in 20 minutes. Pull off a branch and dip it in hot cocoa. Who would grab the top first?

You will need: 2 sheets frozen puff pastry (thawed), 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread, 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp milk, powdered sugar for dusting.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment. 2. Lay one sheet on the parchment and spread with chocolate hazelnut spread, leaving a small border. 3. Top with the second sheet and cut out a large triangle, keeping a strip for a trunk. 4. Cut the sides into 1/2 inch strips, leaving the center whole. 5. Twist each strip 2 times. 6. Brush with egg wash, bake 18 to 22 minutes and dust with powdered sugar.

Herb Cheese Ball Tree for the Savory Side of the Table

Not every Christmas tree dessert table needs more sugar. A cream cheese and cheddar ball shaped like a cone and rolled in fresh herbs looks just like a little tree, and pomegranate seeds make perfect ornaments. Set it out with crackers and it balances all the sweets. Make it a day ahead and add the herbs right before the party. Team savory or team sweet?

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese (softened), 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 green onions (chopped), 1 cup finely chopped parsley and dill, 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds, a star cut from yellow bell pepper, crackers.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, Worcestershire and green onions. 2. Scoop onto plastic wrap and shape into a tall cone. 3. Wrap and chill at least 2 hours. 4. Roll in the chopped herbs, pressing so they stick. 5. Press in pomegranate seeds as ornaments. 6. Top with the pepper star and serve with crackers.

Crispy Rice Treat Trees, No-Bake Christmas Tree Desserts on a Stick

Melt, stir, press and cut: these Christmas tree desserts start with crispy rice treats, the dessert most of us learned to make as kids, and a little green color turns them into trees. Cut the pan into triangles, push in a craft stick and decorate with candy ornaments. They are perfect for little hands, and they can be gluten free if you check the cereal and marshmallow labels. Did you grow up making these?

You will need: 3 tbsp butter, 1 bag (10 oz) mini marshmallows, green gel food color, 6 cups crispy rice cereal, wooden craft sticks, small candy coated chocolates, yellow star sprinkles, 1/4 cup melted white chocolate.

How to make it: 1. Butter a 9×13 pan. 2. Melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat and stir in green color. 3. Stir in the cereal until coated. 4. Press lightly into the pan and cool 30 minutes. 5. Cut into triangles and push a craft stick into the base of each. 6. Use melted white chocolate to stick on candies and a star.

Meringue Trees That Melt in Your Mouth

Meringue trees are light, crisp and naturally gluten free Christmas tree desserts, and they only need egg whites and sugar. Pipe the meringue in a spiral, starting wide and pulling up to a point, and they bake into elegant little trees. Low and slow is the secret: a cool oven dries them without browning. Keep them in an airtight tin and they last for days. Have you ever piped meringue?

You will need: 4 large egg whites (room temperature), 1 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp cream of tartar, 1 tsp vanilla, green gel food color, silver and red sugar pearls, powdered sugar for dusting.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 225 F and line 2 sheets with parchment. 2. Beat the whites and cream of tartar to soft peaks. 3. Add sugar a spoonful at a time and beat to stiff, glossy peaks, then add vanilla. 4. Paint stripes of green gel inside a piping bag with a star tip and fill it. 5. Pipe spiral cones 2 to 3 inches tall and add pearls. 6. Bake 75 minutes, then leave in the turned off oven 1 hour.

Gingerbread Tree Cookies With Simple White Piping

The smell of gingerbread is Christmas for a lot of families, so it belongs on any list of Christmas tree desserts. Cut the dough with a tree cutter and decorate with simple white piping: loops for garland, dots for ornaments and a star on top. You do not need perfect lines, the homemade look is the charm. They also hold up well in tins and mailed care packages. What is your favorite gingerbread memory?

You will need: 3 cups flour, 1 tbsp ground ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cloves, 3/4 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 6 tbsp butter, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1/2 cup molasses, 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 1 to 2 tbsp milk for icing.

How to make it: 1. Whisk flour, spices, baking soda and salt. 2. Beat butter and brown sugar, then add the egg and molasses. 3. Mix in the dry ingredients, wrap and chill 2 hours. 4. Roll 1/4 inch thick and cut trees. 5. Bake at 350 F for 8 to 10 minutes and cool. 6. Pipe white icing garland, dots and stars.

Cinnamon Twist Tree Bread for a Cozy Holiday Morning

Christmas tree desserts are not only for the party. This cinnamon twist tree is the same idea as the puff pastry tree but made with soft refrigerated dough, so it pulls apart like a cinnamon roll. Shape it the night before, keep it covered in the fridge, and bake it while everyone opens stockings. A quick glaze and breakfast is on the table. Sweet breakfast or savory on Christmas morning?

You will need: 2 tubes (8 oz each) refrigerated pizza or crescent dough sheets or 1 lb homemade sweet dough, 4 tbsp softened butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Roll one sheet of dough on parchment and spread with butter. 3. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon and top with the second sheet. 4. Cut a large tree with a trunk, then cut the sides into strips and twist each strip. 5. Bake 18 to 22 minutes until golden. 6. Whisk powdered sugar and milk and drizzle over the warm bread.

Fruit Tree Platter, Fresh Christmas Tree Desserts for a Party

A fruit tree is one of the Christmas tree desserts that disappears first at almost every holiday party, maybe because it is so fresh next to all the cookies. Build rows of green grapes, kiwi, strawberries and blueberries in a big triangle and add a star fruit slice at the top. It takes 15 minutes and costs less than a bakery tray. Add a yogurt dip for the kids. What fruit would you add?

You will need: 2 cups green grapes, 3 kiwis (peeled and sliced), 2 cups strawberries (halved), 1 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, 1 star fruit, 1 banana, 1 cup vanilla yogurt for dip.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry all the fruit well. 2. On a large platter, lay a row of strawberries along the bottom of a triangle. 3. Add rows of kiwi, grapes, blueberries and more strawberries, getting shorter as you go up. 4. Scatter pomegranate seeds as ornaments. 5. Add banana slices as a trunk and a star fruit slice on top. 6. Serve with yogurt dip.

Chocolate Bark Trees and a Table Full of Christmas Tree Desserts

Pastry chef Amaury Guichon’s sculpted chocolate Christmas tree has been watched more than 78 million times, but you can get a similar wow with chocolate bark. Spread melted chocolate thin, top it with pistachios and cranberries, then cut tall triangles to stand on a board or push into cupcakes. For a full table, mix heights: one tall star cookie tree, a few cone trees, a board of brownie trees and a fruit tree. Watch the cake Christmas tree video with 23 million views for more ideas, or see our Christmas sugar cookies that hold their shape. Which Christmas tree dessert will you make first?

You will need: 8 oz dark chocolate, 4 oz white chocolate, 1/4 cup chopped pistachios, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, green sprinkles, parchment paper, cupcakes for toppers (optional).

How to make it: 1. Line a sheet pan with parchment. 2. Melt the dark chocolate and spread it 1/4 inch thick. 3. Melt the white chocolate and swirl it through with a toothpick. 4. Scatter pistachios, cranberries and sprinkles. 5. Chill 30 minutes, then cut into tall triangles with a warm knife. 6. Stand them on a board or press into cupcakes.