Reese's peanut butter trees

These Reese's Trees are the perfect festive treat for peanut butter and chocolate lovers looking for a quick and fun holiday project. They come together easily with just a handful of ingredients and require no baking. These edible Christmas trees bring a playful, decorative vibe to any holiday spread and are sure to impress with their cute layered look.

I first made these during a holiday get-together and they were an instant hit. Now they appear every year, usually disappearing within minutes.

Ingredients

• Melted chocolate chips: half a cup to act as glue holding the pieces together use good quality chocolate for best results
• Mini Reese’s cups: twenty four to create the layers and structure pick the freshest ones for a clean peanut butter flavor
• Regular Reese's cups: twelve placed upside down for the main tree body quality chocolate here makes the tree look shiny and taste great
• Hershey’s kisses: twelve for the tree toppers these add a classic finishing touch
• White and green decorating icing: for piping garlands choose icing that offers good flow and vibrant color
• Sprinkles and gold stars: for festive decorations these add color and sparkle helping you customize your trees
• Confectioners' sugar: optional dusting to mimic snow use fresh powdered sugar for best visual effect

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sculpt the Tree Base:

Place a dab of melted chocolate on the bottom of a mini Reese’s cup to act as glue. Position a regular-size Reese’s cup upside down on top of that mini cup. Add another small drop of melted chocolate on this, then place another mini Reese’s cup upside down on top. Finish by dabbing melted chocolate on top and pressing a Hershey’s kiss in place. It is important to work gently but quickly to keep the shape intact.

Decorate with Frosting and Sprinkles:

Use white and green icing to pipe garlands around the tree shape. This adds texture and color making the trees feel festive and full of holiday cheer. Sprinkle liberally with sprinkles for extra sparkle. Dab a bit of icing on top of the Hershey’s kiss and stick a gold star to crown the tree perfectly.

Add the Finishing Touch:

If you want a snowy look dust the entire tree lightly with confectioners’ sugar. This final touch creates a magical wintery feel that is particularly beautiful if the trees will be displayed on dark plates or trays.

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My favorite part of this recipe is definitely the Hershey’s kiss topper it gives the trees a charming signature look. One year my niece decorated her trees so elaborately with sprinkles and icing that her creations became the centerpiece of our holiday table a memory I cherish every season.

Storage tips

Store these Reese's Trees in an airtight container at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight to prevent the chocolate from melting or becoming sticky. They will keep well for about three days but are best eaten fresh for optimal texture. Avoid refrigeration as it can cause condensation that affects the candy’s appearance.

Ingredient substitutions

If you do not have Hershey’s kisses you can substitute with small chocolate stars or even mini marshmallows for a fun twist. Instead of regular chocolate chips for melting try dark chocolate or white chocolate to vary the flavor and visual appearance. If peanut allergies are a concern you can try swapping Reese’s for any similar-sized peanut-free chocolate cups but the flavor will be different.

Serving suggestions

These Reese's Trees are perfect as grab-and-go party treats alongside festive drinks like eggnog or hot chocolate. They make adorable edible place cards by attaching a small name tag with ribbon around the base. Pair them with a bowl of mixed nuts or fruit for a balanced holiday snack plate.

Cultural/historical context

The tradition of creating edible Christmas trees dates back many decades as a way to make holiday treats both decorative and delicious. Candy trees like these combine the joy of baking with holiday craft traditions that bring families together around the kitchen table. Reese’s, an iconic American candy, adds that nostalgic rich peanut butter chocolate taste that many associate with comfort and celebration.

Commonly Asked Questions

→ What ingredients are needed for these peanut butter stacks?

You need mini and regular Reese's peanut butter cups, melted chocolate chips, Hershey's kisses, white and green decorating icing, sprinkles, gold stars, and optional confectioners' sugar for dusting.

→ How do I assemble these layered peanut butter treats?

Start by spreading melted chocolate on the base of a mini cup, then layer a regular cup upside down, followed by another mini cup upside down. Secure each layer with melted chocolate and finish by topping with a Hershey's kiss.

→ What decorations work best for a festive look?

Use icing to pipe garlands around the layers, sprinkle colorful decorations, add gold stars on top, and optionally dust with confectioners' sugar to mimic snow for a seasonal touch.

→ Can I prepare these treats in advance?

Yes, you can assemble them ahead of time and store in a cool place to maintain the chocolate's stability and keep decorations intact.

→ Are these treats suitable for peanut butter lovers?

Absolutely. Featuring Reese's peanut butter cups as the main components, these stacks offer a delightful balance of peanut butter and chocolate flavors ideal for fans of this pairing.