If your holiday hosting style falls somewhere between “Pinterest fantasy” and “I bought the good wine so don’t judge me,” these Edible Pine Cones are your new signature move.
They look like woodland fairy food.
They taste like chocolate cake truffles.
They take almost zero actual skill.
Which is frankly the vibe for December.
Perfect for Christmas parties, cookie swaps, kids’ tables, or that one friend who “doesn’t like dessert” but somehow eats four of these.
Why We’re Obsessed
These are:
-
No-bake (after the cake is baked… semantics)
-
Shockingly realistic
-
Budget-friendly
-
Make-ahead-ish (with a disclaimer)
-
A full-blown holiday flex with Target-level effort
They’re basically cake pops that went to finishing school.
Ingredients
-
1 box chocolate cake, prepared
(Or your favorite from-scratch chocolate cake if you’re feeling unhinged.) -
½ can (8 oz) chocolate frosting
-
Nestlé Chocapic chocolate cereal
-
Powdered sugar
That’s it. That’s the list. We love an easy queen.
How to Make Them
Bake the Cake
Make your chocolate cake and let it cool completely. Warm cake = sad mushy chaos.
Crumble It
Crumble the entire cake into a large bowl. This is very therapeutic after one too many holiday errands.
Add Frosting
Mix in half a can of chocolate frosting until the texture is dense, rich, and rollable. You’re looking for decadent truffle energy here.
Shape the Pine Cones
Roll the mixture into oval, egg-like shapes, slightly fatter at the bottom than the top. Pine cone silhouette, but make it dessert.
Add the “Scales”
Starting at the bottom, stick pieces of Chocapic cereal all the way around, layering upward with the edges curling out. This is the part where everyone suddenly gathers in the kitchen and “helps.”
Snow Them
Right before serving, douse generously in powdered sugar. Heavy snowfall encouraged.
Serve ASAP
These are best the same day. The cereal will start to soften after a while, and while still delicious, the crunch is part of the magic.
Hosting Tip (From Someone Who Has Learned the Hard Way)
Make the cake cones in advance. Store them chilled.
Add the cereal and powdered sugar right before your guests arrive so they stay crisp and perfect.
Because soggy pine cones are not the vibe.
Where These Shine
-
Christmas dessert tables
-
Cookie exchanges (watch people lose their minds)
-
Kids’ holiday parties
-
Winter weddings
-
Casual “I brought dessert” moments that suddenly feel very extra
They’re photogenic. They’re nostalgic. They look way harder than they are. Which is exactly the energy we’re bringing into 2025.
If you make these, I expect:
✔️ Powdered sugar everywhere
✔️ Someone to ask if they’re “real”
✔️ Zero leftovers
And if you don’t make them, truly… what are you even doing with your holiday season?
