The holiday season is the perfect time to gather in the kitchen with your little ones and create festive treats that everyone will enjoy. Cooking with kids is not only fun but also helps them develop important skills like measuring, following instructions, and exploring different ingredients. And what better way to embrace the holiday spirit than by making adorable, edible holiday trees? Below are seven creative holiday tree recipe ideas that are easy to make and great for kids to enjoy either as a snack or part of your holiday party spread.
1. Fruit Holiday Tree
For a healthy holiday treat, try making a fruit tree. This simple snack is as nutritious as it is festive! Start by slicing green apples into thin wedges and arranging them in a tree shape on a plate. The base can be made from a pretzel stick or a thin celery stalk to mimic the trunk. Now comes the fun part—let your kids “decorate” their tree by adding colorful fruit as ornaments. Berries, grapes, and kiwi slices work well for this. Finally, use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a pineapple or a piece of melon to top the tree. This no-bake, refreshing snack offers kids the chance to enjoy fruits in a fun and engaging way while practicing their motor skills as they assemble their fruit trees.
2. Pita Tree Pizza
Pita Tree Pizzas are a great way to introduce kids to the world of cooking without the need for too many complicated steps. Begin by cutting whole wheat pita bread into triangle shapes resembling holiday trees. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce or pesto over the pita triangles, letting kids use a spoon to spread the sauce evenly. Next, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the sauce and encourage your child to add "ornaments" using small pieces of colorful veggies like red and yellow bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or olives. You can also add green bell pepper strips to mimic garland. Bake the mini pizzas in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. These pizzas are fun to make, customizable, and perfect for a holiday meal or snack.
3. Tree Brownies
For a chocolatey treat, these Tree Brownies are both delicious and festive. Start by baking a batch of your favorite brownies and letting them cool completely. Once cool, cut the brownies into triangles to resemble tree shapes. Now it’s time to decorate! Use green frosting or melted white chocolate dyed with food coloring to pipe a zigzag pattern across the "tree" to mimic garland. Have kids sprinkle on colorful candies like mini M&Ms or sugar pearls to act as ornaments. To finish, insert a small piece of candy cane at the bottom to represent the tree trunk. This recipe is perfect for dessert, and the decorating aspect lets kids express their creativity!
4. Veggie Tree Platter
If you’re looking for a healthy and savory snack option, this Veggie Tree Platter is a fantastic choice. Start by arranging broccoli florets on a large platter in a triangular, tree-like shape. This will form the “branches” of the tree. At the bottom, place some cauliflower florets to represent snow. Next, use red bell pepper slices or cherry tomatoes as ornaments, scattering them around the broccoli to add pops of color. You can even add slices of yellow bell peppers as a star or green cucumbers to create garland patterns. In the middle of the tree, place a bowl of your favorite dip—like ranch or hummus—as the tree's "star" and serve the veggies around it. This veggie platter is not only festive but also encourages kids to eat their vegetables while having fun with the assembly.
5. Sugar Cookie Holiday Trees
Sugar cookies are a classic holiday treat, and turning them into holiday trees adds a festive twist. Start by making a batch of sugar cookie dough and rolling it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using a triangle cookie cutter (or a knife), cut out tree shapes. Bake the cookies according to the recipe's instructions and let them cool completely. Once cool, it's time for the fun part: decorating! Prepare some green icing by mixing powdered sugar, a few drops of food coloring, and a bit of water. Let your kids use piping bags or plastic sandwich bags with the corner snipped off to spread the icing over the cookies. Then, they can use sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or colored candies to create "ornaments" on the trees. If you want to go for an extra-special effect, stack two or three cookies of different sizes on top of each other to create a 3D tree!
6. Pretzel and Marshmallow Holiday Trees
These fun treats combine sweet and salty flavors into a festive tree design. Start with large pretzel rods as the tree trunks. Then, melt green candy melts or white chocolate dyed with green food coloring and dip the top part of each pretzel rod into the melted candy, creating a cone-like shape. While the candy is still wet, attach mini marshmallows, colored sprinkles, or small candies to act as ornaments. You can also dust them with powdered sugar to give the effect of a snow-covered tree. Let the trees cool on wax paper, and they’ll harden in about 10 minutes. These pretzel and marshmallow trees are easy to make and a great party snack for kids who love sweet and salty combinations.
7. Spinach Dip Holiday Tree Breadsticks
For a savory option, try making Spinach Dip Holiday Tree Breadsticks. Begin by preparing or purchasing pizza dough. Roll out the dough and cut it into long strips. Twist the strips into spirals and arrange them on a baking sheet in a tree shape, with the wider base at the bottom and tapering to a point at the top. Brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with a mix of garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Bake at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with a bowl of spinach dip on the side, and let kids pull apart the breadsticks to dip and enjoy. This savory tree is perfect for holiday gatherings or family dinners, and the pull-apart nature of the breadsticks makes it interactive and fun for kids!
These seven holiday tree-themed recipes are not only easy and fun for kids to make, but they also add a festive touch to your holiday celebrations. Whether you're looking for something sweet, savory, healthy, or indulgent, there’s a tree recipe on this list that will suit everyone’s taste buds. Best of all, these recipes provide an opportunity for kids to get involved in the kitchen, sparking their creativity and building memories that will last long after the holidays are over.
