Make these festive Christmas tree crispy treats right in a round cake pan, then slice them into adorable tree shapes. They’re fun to decorate with a pretzel trunk, a drizzle of melted chocolate, sprinkles, or anything you have on hand.
Melt the butter in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Once the butter is melted and begins to foam, stir continuously to prevent the milk solids from sticking to the skillet. When the butter changes from yellow to golden brown and has a nutty aroma (this happens quickly), remove from the heat.
Add the marshmallows and stir until almost completely melted. Add the vanilla, salt and food coloring and stir until smooth. Add the cereal and mix until evenly incorporated.
Press the cereal into an even layer in the prepared pan. Cool for 20 minutes.
Once the treats have set, use a sharp knife to cut the circle into 8 equal wedges. Press a gluten-free pretzel stick “trunk” into the bottom of each tree.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate for 20-second increments at 50% power, stirring after each increment until completely melted and smooth. Transfer the melted chocolate to a zipped-top bag and snip the corner. Drizzle the white chocolate over each tree and top with sprinkles.
Notes
Gluten-Free: Use any brand of gluten-free crispy rice cereal and gluten-free pretzel sticks.Dairy-Free: Skip step 2 and simply use melted dairy-free butter (note that dairy-free butter will not brown). Use dairy-free white chocolate.Nut-Free: These treats are naturally nut-free.To Make-Ahead: For the best texture and freshness, I recommend making these treats no more than 2 days in advance of serving.To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Place in a single layer or use parchment paper to separate layers.To Freeze: I don't recommend freezing them as it will change the texture and can ruin the decorations.