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Whipped up these simple treats when the little ones begged for something green at their Christmas school event. Found some matcha hanging around from my health kick days and marshmallows left over from a camping trip we never took. My first try turned everything emerald – including my fingers – but the kids went wild saying they looked just like tiny Christmas trees dusted with snow. Now December in our house means sweet tea and marshmallow smells with family members hanging around trying to snatch bits before they're done.
These Will Win You Over
These treats come in handy when you want a speedy snack that seems a bit special! I whip them up every Sunday for our crazy morning rushes - they're perfect to grab as you dash out. My children turned their noses up at the green tea part initially but now they constantly ask for them. The no-bake aspect is also a huge plus when summer heat kicks in. And if you've got a thing for matcha like I do, you'll enjoy that mild tea taste combined with sweet crunchiness!
Your Shopping List
- For The Mix:
- real butter skip the margarine stuff
- fresh mini marshmallows the stale ones get too hard
- sweetened condensed milk for extra gooeyness
- some vanilla because it makes everything better
- quality matcha powder worth spending on
- rice cereal whatever brand you like
- melting white chocolate chips
- festive sprinkles to make it Christmas-worthy
Creating Holiday Wonder
- First Steps
- Melt the butter gently on low heat burned my first attempt and the house stank all day. Toss marshmallows and condensed milk in while stirring until they look like melting clouds. Sprinkle matcha but make sure to sift it or you'll end up with green clumps nobody wants to bite into.
- Bringing It Together
- Add the green mixture to your cereal folding carefully so you don't crush it all. My kids think it looks like mixing the Grinch's fur but say it smells amazing. Push into your pan gently or it'll turn into a dense green block which I learned from trying.
- Final Touches
- After it hardens cut into tree shapes the kids always fight over the biggest ones. Let white chocolate drizzle down like falling snow. Scatter sprinkles right away before chocolate hardens once waited too long and found sparkles in the carpet for weeks.
Lessons I've Learned
I've made these many times now and picked up tricks mostly from my mistakes. Always use new marshmallows as old ones make your treats too hard. Spend more on good matcha unless you want your snacks tasting like lawn clippings. Coat your hands with butter before pressing the mix in saves tons of cleanup time I still find sticky spots from my first attempt. And maybe put paper down all around because this green stuff gets everywhere.
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Storing Your Treats
Store them in an airtight container they'll stay good for days if your family doesn't gobble them all first. You can throw them in the freezer too though we've never needed to since they vanish so quickly. My favorite part is making them ahead and wrapping them up nicely for gifts teachers appreciate them because they're different from the usual cookies everyone brings.
Holiday Favorite
These green treats have become the talk of every Christmas gathering. Friends of my kids start asking when the green trees are coming back around early November. Even our school head asked how to make them after trying some at the class party. It's amazing how some cereal marshmallows and tea powder turned into a whole holiday tradition but that's how family memories happen isn't it? With green sticky fingers and marshmallow-covered counters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What matcha should I use?
- Culinary grade is great. Higher grades aren’t worth it since marshmallows mask their flavor.
- → Do I need to sift matcha?
- Yep! It stops lumps from forming. Matcha clumps easily in warm mixtures.
- → How can I handle stickiness?
- Use buttered hands or spatula. Be gentle—firm pressing makes treats hard.
- → How do I cut them neatly?
- Wait till they fully cool. A sharp knife dipped in hot water makes clean cuts.
- → What’s the point of condensed milk?
- It makes them creamier and softer. Also stops them from getting hard over time.