These sugar cone Christmas trees are a delightful holiday activity that keeps kids entertained and produces a tasty, festive treat. Easy to assemble and adorable to display, they’re perfect for parties or a simple family craft.
I had a wonderful weekend at Gaylord National Harbor with family, and seeing the ICE exhibit got me in the holiday mood. The exhibit is full of stunning ice sculptures and festive displays — it’s cold inside (around 9 degrees), but the kids loved the ice slide and the whole holiday atmosphere. Watching them enjoy the magic of the season inspired me to share a simple, kid-friendly project that’s been a favorite around our house for years: sugar cone Christmas trees.
These cone trees are quick to assemble and great for letting little hands decorate. I first demonstrated them on Fox 29 last Christmas Eve when I needed a quick, festive idea. They’re ideal for keeping kids busy while adults prepare meals or entertain guests, and they make charming edible decorations — if they last long enough on display!
To give the cones a full, textured look I piped green buttercream using a star tip to create small rosettes or star-shaped dots all over each cone. For the decorations we used mini M&M’s pushed in sideways to resemble lights, and wrapped shoestring licorice as garland. I topped the trees with little candy gingerbread men because I couldn’t find star-shaped toppers, but you can use any candy you prefer for variety.
These are a fun, approachable craft for a holiday afternoon and make great party snacks or table decorations. They’re quick, colorful, and kids love the hands-on decorating. Below is an easy recipe and instructions so you can recreate them at home.
Sugar Cone Christmas Trees
Ingredients
- 8 sugar cones
- 2 cups green buttercream frosting
- 8 12-inch licorice strings
- 2 cups mini M&M candies
- 8 candy gingerbread men (or other toppers)
- Assorted candy, if desired
Instructions
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Fit a pastry bag with a star tip and fill it with the green buttercream. Pipe star-shaped dots or small rosettes all over each sugar cone to create a textured, full tree look.
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Decorate each tree with licorice garland and press mini M&M’s into the frosting as ornaments. Add a candy gingerbread man or any small candy to the top as a tree topper.
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Serve immediately, or let the frosting set so the trees can be used as edible decorations.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.