Pin It There's something magical about the week before Christmas when my kitchen transforms into a chocolate workshop. Last year, my niece stood on a stool watching me unwrap those little Kinder bars, her eyes lighting up each time she saw a new one emerge from the foil. She asked if we could make them into trees, and that simple question led to this recipe—stacked chocolate bars drizzled with melted chocolate and crowned with stars. Now it's become our annual tradition, and honestly, it's less about precision and more about the mess and laughter that comes with it.
I learned the real charm of these when I brought them to an office holiday party thinking they'd be forgotten on a side table. Instead, people kept picking them up, admiring the little drizzled branches, asking where I'd bought them. Watching someone's face when they realized I'd actually made these simple stacked treats was worth every sticky finger moment.
Ingredients
- 24 mini Kinder chocolate bars: The heart of this recipe—these bars hold their shape beautifully when stacked, and their creamy center makes them special enough that people notice the difference.
- 150 g dark or milk chocolate, chopped: This is your canvas for creating those festive drizzled branches; milk chocolate feels more festive, but dark chocolate adds sophistication if you're serving grown-ups.
- 1 tsp coconut oil: This tiny secret makes the chocolate flow like silk from a spoon instead of clumping and cracking.
- 3 tbsp festive sprinkles or edible glitter: These catch the light and make your trees shimmer while the chocolate is still tacky.
- 8 mini chocolate or candy stars: The tree topper that transforms stacked bars into something intentional and celebratory.
Instructions
- Set your stage:
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper so your trees have a clean canvas to cool on.
- Unwrap and stack:
- Unwrap all your Kinder bars and arrange each tree by stacking three bars—one whole at the base, one broken in half and overlapped to form a wider triangle in the middle, and another on top for that tapered tree shape. Space them out so you have room to drizzle.
- Melt your chocolate:
- Chop the chocolate and warm it with the coconut oil in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, stirring every few seconds. The chocolate should feel silky and pour easily; microwave in 20-second bursts if that's easier for you, stirring between each one.
- Create the branches:
- Spoon or pipe the melted chocolate over each tree stack in loose, organic drizzles that look like snow-laden branches. Don't overthink it—wonky is actually more charming here.
- Decorate immediately:
- Before the chocolate sets, scatter your sprinkles or glitter over each tree and press a star gently into the top. Speed matters here because once the chocolate firms up, nothing sticks.
- Set and chill:
- Pop them into the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes until the chocolate firms up enough that they feel solid to touch.
Pin It There was a moment last December when my sister picked up one of these trees and said it made her feel like a kid again, like we were back in our grandmother's kitchen watching her do impossible things with chocolate. That's when I realized these aren't really about the recipe at all—they're about the feeling they create.
Choosing Your Chocolate
The chocolate you drizzle over these trees matters more than you'd think. Dark chocolate gives everything a sophisticated edge and plays beautifully against the sweetness of the Kinder bars, while milk chocolate leans into pure comfort and nostalgia. White chocolate creates something almost ethereal if you're feeling experimental, though it can taste one-dimensional without that rich cocoa note. I've found that mid-range quality chocolate (not the cheapest, not fancy artisan) actually works best here because it melts smoothly and sets with just the right snap.
Assembly as Meditation
There's something oddly soothing about stacking and arranging these bars, especially if you're doing it with someone else. The repetition becomes almost meditative, and there's room for endless creative variation—some people make them taller, others wider, some break the bars into different pieces. I've learned to embrace imperfection here because it's actually what makes each tree feel handmade and real instead of manufactured.
Making It Your Own
This recipe is basically a framework for whatever you have in your pantry and whatever your guests love. Swap the Kinder bars for any mini chocolate bars you prefer, or mix brands within a single tree for unexpected flavor combinations. The drizzle can be white, milk, or dark chocolate, and the toppings can shift from sprinkles to crushed candy canes to crystallized sugar depending on your mood and what's already open in your kitchen.
- If you're making these ahead, assemble and chill them without the decorations, then add sprinkles and stars just before serving so everything looks freshly made.
- Store finished trees in an airtight container in a cool place, and they'll keep for up to a week without the chocolate cracking or the bars getting stale.
- This recipe scales beautifully—double or triple it for parties without any fussing or adjustments needed.
Pin It These little trees have become the thing people ask me to bring to every December gathering, and I never tire of making them. There's genuine joy in creating something that's equal parts delicious and delightful, especially when it's simple enough that anyone can help.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I form the chocolate bars into tree shapes?
Stack three mini chocolate bars per tree—one whole at the base, one broken and overlapped to create a triangle, and one on top for height, mimicking a Christmas tree shape.
- → What chocolate types work best for melting and drizzling?
Dark, milk, or white chocolate can be used. Adding a teaspoon of coconut oil helps achieve a smoother, glossy drizzle.
- → Can children help with making these treats?
Yes, the stacking and decorating steps are simple and safe, making this a fun, family-friendly holiday activity.
- → How should the treats be stored after preparation?
Keep them in an airtight container in a cool place or refrigerate to maintain freshness, ideally consuming within a week.
- → Are there alternatives for the Kinder bars used in these treats?
Any mini chocolate bars of similar size can be substituted to customize flavor and preference.