Save My daughter spotted a tower of chocolate bars at the market and declared they looked like tiny Christmas trees waiting to be dressed up. Twenty minutes later, we had created something magical—not with fancy techniques, but with the kind of creative chaos that makes holidays memorable. These Kinder chocolate trees became our thing that year, the one treat that didn't require a recipe book or perfect technique, just imagination and melted chocolate.
I made these for a neighborhood holiday potluck where everyone brought something elaborate and French, and I showed up with chocolate bars stacked into trees. Instead of feeling out of place, they were the first thing to disappear, and three people asked for the recipe because their kids wanted to make them at home. There's something about a treat that looks festive but doesn't intimidate that people genuinely appreciate.
Ingredients
- Mini Kinder chocolate bars: You need 24 total (three per tree), and this is where the magic starts—their size and shape naturally want to stack into something tree-like. Any mini chocolate bars work beautifully if you can't find Kinders.
- Dark or milk chocolate: 150 g chopped, used for drizzling. Dark chocolate gives elegant depth; milk chocolate keeps things festive and sweet. Pick based on your crowd's preference.
- Coconut oil: Optional but worth it—just a teaspoon makes the melted chocolate glossier and easier to drizzle without seizing up.
- Festive sprinkles or edible glitter: Three tablespoons scattered generously while the chocolate is still wet. This is where personality happens.
- Mini chocolate or candy stars: Eight of them for the tree tops, the crowning touch that makes people smile when they see them.
Instructions
- Set your stage:
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper so nothing sticks and you can move everything easily once it's chilled. This single step saves you from chocolate-covered frustration.
- Unwrap and build:
- Unwrap all 24 bars and get them ready on your work surface. For each tree, place one whole bar at the bottom, break a second bar in half and overlap the pieces above it to form a rough triangle shape, then add a third whole bar or piece on top for height. Don't worry about perfection—slight asymmetry actually looks more festive and tree-like.
- Arrange on the tray:
- Space each stacked tree a few inches apart on your prepared tray so they have room for drizzling and decorating without touching.
- Melt the chocolate:
- Chop your chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (don't let the bowl touch the water), stirring until smooth. If you prefer the microwave, use 20-second bursts and stir between each one—chocolate can go from silky to seized in seconds. Stir in the coconut oil once melted if you're using it.
- Drizzle with purpose:
- Using a spoon or piping bag, generously drizzle the melted chocolate over each tree stack in a flowing, branch-like pattern. This is the moment where they truly transform into something special.
- Decorate immediately:
- Before the chocolate sets (which happens faster than you'd think), scatter your sprinkles over each tree and place a chocolate or candy star on the top. The warmth of the chocolate helps everything stick naturally.
- Chill and set:
- Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes until the chocolate feels firm to the touch and won't smudge if you gently press it. This is also a good time to step back and admire your work.
- Serve whenever:
- These taste lovely chilled straight from the fridge or at room temperature—serve them however fits your moment.
Save One year my son insisted on making these trees for his classroom holiday party, and watching him carefully stack each one and choose sprinkle colors with such concentration reminded me that cooking doesn't have to be complicated to matter. He was so proud carrying that box to school, and that mattered way more than technique.
Why These Trees Feel Special
There's something about creating something that looks decorated and festive without spending hours in the kitchen. These trees hit that exact sweet spot where they're visually impressive enough to feel like a real treat, but simple enough that the focus stays on joy rather than stress. They're also the kind of dessert that makes people smile when they see them, which is honestly most of what holiday food is really about.
Make Them Your Own
The beauty of this recipe is how easily it welcomes your personal touch. Love white chocolate? Drizzle it instead. Have a jar of fancy holiday sprinkles? Use those. Want to skip the stars because you're out? The trees are still gorgeous. This is the kind of recipe where there's no wrong way to personalize it, and that freedom is part of what makes it so fun to make with people you love.
Storage and Making Ahead
These trees keep beautifully in an airtight container in a cool spot for up to a week, which takes so much pressure off holiday planning. You can actually make them days before you need them, which means you're not scrambling on the day itself. I like to assemble them the night before if I'm taking them somewhere, so the chocolate is completely set and they travel without any mess.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place rather than the fridge if you're keeping them longer than a day or two, as condensation can soften the chocolate.
- Transport them in a sturdy box with a little parchment between layers if you're moving them anywhere.
- These are best served the same day or next day for the crispest chocolate snap, but they're still delicious within a week.
Save These chocolate trees are the kind of recipe that reminds you why cooking matters—not because of technique, but because of the moments it creates. They're simple enough that anyone can make them, festive enough that they feel special, and fun enough that you'll actually want to make them again next year.
Recipe Guide
- → What type of chocolate works best for melting?
Dark or milk chocolate both melt well; adding a teaspoon of coconut oil can create a smoother consistency.
- → Can other mini chocolate bars be used instead of Kinder bars?
Yes, any similar-sized mini chocolate bars can be stacked to recreate the tree shapes.
- → How should the chocolate be melted safely?
Use a heatproof bowl over simmering water or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- → What is the best way to decorate the chocolate drizzles?
Apply festive sprinkles or edible glitter immediately after drizzling, then top with small candy stars before the chocolate sets.
- → How long can these treats be stored?
Keep them in an airtight container in a cool place for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- → Are these treats suitable for children to help make?
Absolutely, the stacking and decorating steps are simple and safe for kids to assist with under supervision.