Peppermint Crunch Christmas Trees

Peppermint crunch christmas trees are the kind of holiday candy that looks fussy but comes together with a handful of pantry staples. They lean on white chocolate, crunchy noodles, and crushed candy canes, so the result is festive without the stress of real candy making.

If you want a homemade candy that feels special but stays forgiving, this is a great place to start. The shaping is loose and friendly, so a slightly lopsided tree still looks charming on a plate.

Work in small batches and keep the chocolate warm so it stays easy to shape.

Why You’ll Love These Peppermint Crunch Christmas Trees

• These peppermint crunch christmas trees taste like creamy white chocolate with a bright snap of mint in every bite.
• The chow mein noodles add a light crunch that keeps each tree from feeling heavy or overly sweet.
• Crushed candy canes give a pretty red-and-white finish and a cool, refreshing edge.

Ingredient Notes

These are simple notes on what each item does; you’ll find the exact measurements in the recipe card below. A short trip to the baking aisle covers nearly everything, and these holiday trees come together fast once your pieces are ready.

• White chocolate morsels melt into the creamy base that holds every tree together.
• Vegetable shortening keeps the melted chocolate smooth and easy to pour.
• Chow mein noodles bring the crunch and the branchy, treelike texture.
• Crushed candy canes add peppermint flavor and that festive red dusting.
• Andes candies and mini M&Ms form the base and the colorful ornaments.

For equipment, you only need a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pot, a parchment-lined cookie sheet, and a large mixing bowl. A small spoon helps you portion the warm mixture neatly.

How to Make Peppermint Crunch Christmas Trees

Making peppermint crunch christmas trees is mostly melting, mixing, and shaping while the chocolate is warm. Have your noodles and candy ready before the chocolate goes on the heat so nothing sets too soon.

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment and set out 12 small piles of chopped Andes candies, about 1/2 Tbsp each, for the bases.
2. Combine the chow mein noodles and crushed candy canes in a large bowl and set aside.
3. Melt the white chocolate and shortening in a double boiler, stir until smooth, then pour over the noodle mixture and stir to coat.
4. Spoon about 2 Tbsp of the warm mixture onto each Andes pile and coax it into a tree shape with your fingers, then dust with more crushed candy cane.
5. Use a little leftover melted chocolate to stick mini M&Ms on as ornaments, then let the trees cool until firm.

This recipe makes about 12 trees, and you can easily double it if you are filling several treat baskets. To work ahead, shape the trees up to 3 days early and keep them stored until you’re ready to package them.

Storage Options

These peppermint trees keep well, which makes them ideal for early holiday prep. Store them in a single layer so the ornaments and candy cane dusting stay put.

1. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
2. In warm kitchens, refrigerate for up to 3 weeks and let them sit out a few minutes before serving.
3. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months, then thaw at room temperature.

Variations & Substitutions

There’s a lot of room to play with these holiday candy trees, so make them your own. Small swaps change the look and flavor without changing the easy method.

1. Skip the Andes candies and pipe a small green chocolate base instead.
2. Trade mini M&Ms for nonpareils or tiny gold sprinkles for the ornaments.
3. Use crushed starlight mints if candy canes are out of season.
4. Stir a drop of peppermint extract into the chocolate for a stronger mint flavor.

What to Serve with Peppermint Crunch Christmas Trees

Peppermint crunch christmas trees shine on a mixed dessert tray, so pair them with treats that offer warm, spiced flavors to balance the cool mint. A few homemade favorites round out the spread nicely.

1. Rich, spiced bite-sized gingerbread truffles for a cozy contrast.
2. A warm brunch plate of cozy baked gingerbread french toast on Christmas morning.
3. Mugs of hot cocoa or peppermint coffee.
4. A platter of cut-out sugar cookies for color and variety.

Here are a few common questions before you start melting chocolate.

Once they’re firm, tuck these little trees into bags or boxes and they’re ready to gift. They bring a cheerful, homemade touch to any holiday table.

A Beautiful Bite

Peppermint Crunch Christmas Trees

4.78 from 18 votes

Peppermint Crunch Christmas Trees are easy to make and fun to eat! Full of crunch from the chow mein noodles and crushed candy canes, they will be a surefire hit in your gift baskets or on your holiday table!

Prep:30 minutes mins

Cook:5 minutes mins

Total:35 minutes mins

Servings:8 tree

Author:A Beautiful Bite

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Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 24 oz white chocolate morsels
• ▢ 1 Tbsp vegetable shortening
• ▢ 5 oz chow mein noodles
• ▢ ¾ cup candy canes crushed (reserve 4 Tbsp for dusting)
• ▢ ½ cup Andes candies chopped (optional)
• ▢ ¼ cup min-M&Ms optional

Instructions 

• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. If using Andes candies, place twelve small circles of the chopped candies onto the parchment paper. (about a ½ Tbsp each)
• Place chow mein noodles and crushed candy canes into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
• Melt chocolate and vegetable shortening in a double boiler. Stir until smooth. Pour over noodles and crushed candy canes. Mix well to combine.
• Place about 2 Tbsp of the warm mixture on top of each Andes pile, using your fingers to coax into tree shape. After forming each tree, dust some more crushed candy cane on top.
• Once all of the trees are formed, go back and use a bit of the leftover melted white chocolate morsels to adhere the M&Ms to the trees.
• Allow to cool. Store in airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1treeCalories: 536kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 7.5gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8.4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 187mgPotassium: 243mgFiber: 1.1gSugar: 50gVitamin A: 1300IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 1690mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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