Adorable and Easy Pretzel Christmas Tree Cupcake Toppers

This time of the year is my favorite time for baking. There are so many adorable and festive ideas out there! These easy pretzel Christmas tree cupcake toppers are fast, fun, and kid-friendly — perfect for classroom parties, neighbor gifts, and holiday gatherings.

Use them to dress up store-bought cupcakes when you’re short on time, or add them to homemade cupcakes for an extra festive touch.

Easy & Adorable Pretzel Christmas Tree Cupcake Toppers

These pretzel Christmas tree cupcake toppers are seriously so fast and easy to put together. In fact, they are so easy, the kids can even do them!

How to Make Your Christmas Tree Cupcakes

If you are looking for the fastest way to make these treats, just pick up some generic cupcakes at your local grocery store and then add your adorable Christmas tree toppers to them! That’s what I did and I have zero shame in this because it saved me a lot of time! 🙂

However, making your own cupcakes is always a tastier option if you have time to make them. If you go for homemade cupcakes, you can add to the cuteness by making these chocolate cupcakes and use white frosting with coconut flakes to look like snow on your cupcakes! AH! Sooo cute!

These pretzel Christmas trees on generic store-bought cupcakes are super cute and festive on their own though too. You do you, my friend!

Supplies for Christmas Tree Cupcakes:

It’s always easier to make sure you have everything on hand! Here’s a checklist for you.

• Candy melts or even white chocolate chips will work
• Food coloring
• Pretzel sticks
• Baking sheet
• Wax paper
• Cupcakes
• Sprinkles

For these cupcake toppers, I prefer to use wax paper because it’s cheap and disposable. You could also use parchment paper or non-stick silicone mats though.

Initial Preparation:

Line your baking sheet with wax paper, this will stop the candy melts from sticking to your baking sheets.

Once you have your baking sheet lined, lay out the pretzel sticks making sure to leave some space between them so that when you drizzle the melted candy to form the trees they will not be touching each other.

Next, melt the candy melts (or white chocolate chips). I love using candy melts because this just speeds up the process. Melt your chocolate and add food coloring and add them to a Ziploc bag or piping bag to do the drizzling.

If using the candy melt method, make sure to read the instructions on the package before starting. For general guidance on handling chocolate safely, you can also review the FDA’s chocolate and cocoa products information.

IMPORTANT: don’t overheat your candy melts, otherwise the consistency of the candy will be wrong. It will get too hard and will not drizzle. To avoid this, heat them at 50% heat or on defrost in the microwave and knead the package every 30 seconds or so.

Assembling Your Pretzel Christmas Trees:

Once you have your candy melted or your chocolate chips in your piping bag, it’s time to assemble your pretzel Christmas trees! Cut your candy melt bag or use a drizzling tip for your piping bag and start drizzling the melted candy on top of your pretzel sticks in the shape of Christmas trees.

Note: You will want to be sure to start your tree about halfway up your pretzel stick so there is room to push the cupcake topper into the cupcake!

Before your candy melts harden back up on the pretzel stick, add your sprinkles if you would like. I like to do half with sprinkles and half without just because some people don’t enjoy the taste of sprinkles. You will want to be quick about this part because the candy hardens back up fairly quickly.

Top Your Christmas Tree Cupcakes:

Once you have let your pretzel Christmas trees cool and harden back up for 5-10 minutes, they are ready to top your cupcakes. You can speed up this process by cooling them in the refrigerator too.

How Easy Was That?

That is all there is to it! These have to be the easiest Christmas tree cupcakes ever. However, even though they’re easy they still impress people! Everyone will absolutely love how cute and adorable they are.

Tips for Making the Best Pretzel Christmas Tree Cupcakes

• Use candy melts for quick setting. They harden faster than regular chocolate chips and give you a smooth finish.
• Chill the trees to reduce breakage. Pop the baking sheet into the fridge for about 5 minutes before lifting the trees off the wax paper.
• Make extras. Pretzel trees can break easily, so make a few more than you think you’ll need.
• Adjust the green color. Start with a small amount of green food coloring gel and add more until you get that bright Christmas tree green.
• Create “snowy” cupcakes. Frost cupcakes with white icing and dip in coconut flakes, then add the pretzel trees for a snowy winter scene.

Christmas Tree Cupcake FAQs

How do I keep pretzel Christmas tree cupcake toppers from breaking?

Make sure the candy coating is thick enough to fully cover the pretzel and connect each “branch” of the tree. Chill the trees on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing them, and use a spatula to gently lift them off the wax paper if needed.

Can I use chocolate chips instead of candy melts?

Yes, you can use chocolate chips. If you do, add a small amount of shortening or coconut oil to help the chocolate melt smoothly. Since chocolate chips are usually brown, you’ll need to use white chocolate chips if you want to add green food coloring.

How far in advance can I make the pretzel toppers?

You can make the pretzel Christmas tree toppers 2–3 days in advance. Store them in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature, with sheets of wax paper between layers if you need to stack them.

More Christmas Recipes:

• Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
• Soft & Creamy Fudge
• Nutella Hot Chocolate
• Christmas Tree Veggie Platter
• Mini Cheesecake Tarts Recipe

Find all our Christmas recipes here!

Easy & Adorable Pretzel Christmas Tree Cupcake Toppers

Homemade edible holiday cupcake toppers!

4.80 / 5 ( 5 Reviews )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Serves: 12

Adjust Servings: 12

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Wax paper
• Ziploc or piping bag

Ingredients

• ½ cup Candy melts or white chocolate chips
• Food coloring
• 12 Pretzel sticks
• 12 Cupcakes
• Sprinkles

Instructions

• Line your baking sheet with wax paper
• Lay out pretzel sticks on lined baking sheet leaving space between them to drizzle chocolate
• Melt your candy melts.
• Cut your candy melt bag or use a drizzling tip for your piping bag
• Starting about halfhway up your pretzel stick drizzle the melted candy in the shape of Christmas trees.
• Before candy melts harden back up on the pretzel stick, add your sprinkles if desired
• Let cool 5-10 minutes to harden up, place in refrigerator to speed up this process
• Top your cupcakes

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Sodium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g