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Hershey Kiss Christmas Trees: A Festive Treat

My grandmother, Nana Elsie, always had a secret weapon for delighting the grandkids during the holidays: edible crafts. Not just gingerbread houses (though those were epic too!), but whimsical creations like these Hershey Kiss Christmas Trees. I remember being mesmerized by the way she could transform simple candies into miniature works of art, each one a tiny testament to her love and holiday spirit. The sweet, peanut buttery aroma mingled with the scent of pine needles, creating a sensory memory I cherish to this day. Now, years later, I’m thrilled to share her simple yet magical recipe with you, so you can create your own holiday memories.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Yield: 12 trees
Dietary Type: Vegetarian

Ingredients

¼ cup corn syrup
12 green foil-wrapped Hershey chocolate kisses (do not unwrap)
24 miniature peanut butter cups (buy holiday colors, green red, gold, do not unwrap)
¼ cup multi-color non-pareils

Equipment Needed

Small brush (pastry brush or similar)
Small bowl (for corn syrup)
Wax paper or parchment paper

Instructions

Begin by preparing your workspace. Lay down a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This step is especially important since you’ll be working with corn syrup, which can get quite sticky.
Next, grab one of your gold or red-foil peanut butter cups (these will serve as the “pots” for your trees). Dip your brush into the corn syrup. Apply a small amount of corn syrup to the top (flat side) of the peanut butter cup. Remember, you don’t want to unwrap the peanut butter cup at any point during this process.
Now, take one of the green-foil peanut butter cups. This will be the base of your tree. Carefully place it inverted (top side down) onto the corn syrup-covered peanut butter cup. The bottom peanut butter cup acts as the pot or planter, while the top peanut butter cup serves as the base of the tree. Ensure it is securely attached before moving on.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all of your peanut butter cups creating all the bases.
Take a small amount of corn syrup and brush it on top of the tree base (the inverted green-foil peanut butter cup).
Carefully place a green-foil Hershey kiss on top of the corn syrup. This will be the top of your Christmas Tree.
Once the Hershey Kiss is in place and secure, take your brush and dab a little more corn syrup all over the Hershey Kiss Christmas Tree. The corn syrup will act as the “glue” for your non-pareils.
Immediately after applying the corn syrup, sprinkle the multi-color non-pareils generously over the entire Hershey Kiss Christmas Tree. Make sure to cover all the areas you brushed with corn syrup. Gently press the non-pareils into the corn syrup to help them adhere properly.
Repeat steps 5 through 8 for each Hershey Kiss Christmas Tree until you’ve used all of your ingredients.
Allow the Hershey Kiss Christmas Trees to set completely at room temperature. This will give the corn syrup time to dry and solidify, ensuring that the non-pareils stay in place. This should take approximately 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the humidity in your environment.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Corn Syrup Alternatives: While I use corn syrup for its safety in case of accidental ingestion, you could also use a small amount of melted chocolate to adhere the candies together. However, be mindful of the temperature of the chocolate; too hot, and it will melt the candies! Another alternative is a tiny dab of royal icing.
Candy Placement: To ensure your trees stand straight, pay attention to the placement of each candy. Align them carefully and press gently to secure them together.
Preventing a Sticky Mess: Keep a damp cloth nearby to wipe your fingers as you work. This will prevent the corn syrup from getting everywhere.
Speed Up the Process: If you’re making a large batch, enlist the help of friends or family. This turns it into a fun holiday activity!
Non-Pareil Perfection: For a more even distribution of non-pareils, pour them into a shallow dish and gently roll the corn syrup-coated tree in the dish.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

These Hershey Kiss Christmas Trees are best served at room temperature. They make a delightful addition to any holiday dessert platter or can be given as homemade gifts.

Storage: Store the Hershey Kiss Christmas Trees in an airtight container at room temperature. They should last for several days, although their appearance (especially the adherence of the non-pareils) may degrade slightly over time.
Do Not Refrigerate: Refrigeration is not recommended, as it can cause the chocolate to bloom (develop a white, powdery coating).
Freezing: Freezing is also not recommended, as it can alter the texture of the candies and cause the non-pareils to fall off.
Presentation: Arrange the trees on a festive plate or platter, perhaps sprinkled with powdered sugar to resemble snow.

Nutritional Information

(Please note that these values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredient brands and quantities.)

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	114 kcal	6%
Total Fat	5.6 g	8%
Saturated Fat	2.1 g	10%
Cholesterol	1.9 mg	0%
Sodium	47.6 mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate	15.3 g	5%
Dietary Fiber	0.7 g	2%
Sugars	10.6 g	42%
Protein	1.8 g	3%

Variations & Substitutions

Chocolate Variety: Experiment with different types of Hershey Kisses. Try using dark chocolate Kisses for a richer flavor or special-edition holiday flavors for a festive twist.
Peanut Butter Cup Alternatives: While peanut butter cups are traditional, you could use other small, round candies as the base, such as Rolos or even small gumdrops.
Sprinkle Swap: Instead of non-pareils, try using other types of sprinkles, such as sanding sugar, edible glitter, or even chopped nuts.
Tree Topper: Add a small star sprinkle or candy on top of the Hershey Kiss to complete the tree.
Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free chocolate Kisses and peanut butter cups to make this recipe suitable for those with dairy sensitivities.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I use hot glue instead of corn syrup?
A: While hot glue would certainly be stronger, I strongly recommend against it, as these are intended to be edible treats. Corn syrup is a safe alternative in case any gets into someone’s mouth when unwrapping and eating the tree.

Q: My non-pareils keep falling off. What am I doing wrong?
A: Make sure you’re applying the non-pareils immediately after brushing the corn syrup onto the Hershey Kiss. The corn syrup dries quickly, so you need to work fast.

Q: How long will these Hershey Kiss Christmas Trees last?
A: Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they should last for several days. However, the non-pareils may start to fall off after a while.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can definitely make these a day or two ahead of time. Just store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve them.

Q: Where can I find green-foil Hershey Kisses out of season?
A: Green foil Hershey Kisses can sometimes be found online or at specialty candy stores year-round. You could also dye white chocolate green and create your own Hershey Kiss substitutes using a mold.

Final Thoughts

These Hershey Kiss Christmas Trees are more than just a treat; they’re a symbol of holiday cheer and simple joys. They’re a perfect way to get the kids involved in the kitchen, creating lasting memories and delicious edible art. So gather your ingredients, put on some festive music, and let the holiday crafting begin! I hope you enjoy making and sharing these sweet little trees as much as my family does. Don’t forget to share your creations – and your holiday memories – with me. Happy Holidays!

Hershey Kiss Christmas Trees Recipe