Are pine cones edible?

Although pine cones are technically edible for humans and many animals , most creatures don't chow down on the cone itself. Instead, critters like squirrels and chipmunks use their sharp teeth to break open the cone and access the pine nuts inside.

Which pine cones are not edible?

Humans can eat seeds from particular pine cones, including Sugar Pine, Western White Pine, Longleaf Pine, Red Pine, and Pitch Pine. Species unsafe to eat include Ponderosa Pine, Yellow Pine, Lodgepole Pine, and Norfolk Island Pine . Not enough is known about these species to consider them safe for human consumption.

What are the health benefits of eating pine cones?

Pine cones, which are used for decoration purposes, are consumed as a natural treatment for upper respiratory tract diseases during the winter months. Pine cone strengthens the immune system during seasonal transitions and increases body resistance against diseases .

What part of a pine tree is edible?

Pine trees boast a cornucopia of edible parts. Not only can the cambium, needles, and tips be used in food, but pine cones―the young, male ones―are also edible.

What eats fresh pine cones?

Have you ever seen the cores of pine cones lying beneath a tree, stripped of all their outer scales like empty corn cobs? If so, squirrels were likely the culprit behind it. Pine cones are one of the squirrels' favorite foods, and it is natural and healthy for them to eat the cones.

What kind of pine cones have edible pine nuts?

Pine nuts come from pinyon pine trees. These pines are native to the United States, although other pines with edible pine nuts are native to Europe and Asia, like the European stone pine and the Asian Korean pine . Pine nuts are the smallest and the fanciest of all nuts.

Do you eat the pinecone in pinecone jam?

Pinecone jam is made from young pine cones in a sugary syrup. Many use it for its anti-inflammatory nutrients. The syrup turns almost a red color and the best part is that not only are the pinecones edible - but they are delicious!

Can you eat Ponderosa pine cones?

I have never found a way to prepare the cones themselves so they can be eaten /// But the seeds are eatable especially from the Pinyon, Sugar, Digger pines from which the seeds are all fairly large. The Ponderosa, White, and other pines are quite small so are not very desirable for snacking on.

Can you eat pine cone seeds raw?

Did you know pine seeds are edible? They can be eaten raw but are better roasted or toasted. Encourage your collected pine cones to open and reveal their seeds by keeping them warm and dry.

Edible Chocolate Pinecones | Recipe by My Name Is Snickerdoodle (2024)

Edible Chocolate Pinecones are such a holiday delight! This no bake dessert recipe can be made ahead and only takes 30 minutes to create. A creamy center made of peanut butter and chocolate spread and would you believe the outside is made of cereal?! Imagine these on your Christmas dessert board or bringing them to your holiday party!

Food can be so fun during the holidays. Every now and then I like a recipe that gives me a challenge, but I tend to enjoy easy and simple recipes that make quite the impact. Like my Donut Christmas Trees. No one can resist them! I also love creating my festive Christmas Tree Cheese and Cracker Board. And not a year goes by when I don’t make my Peppermint S’mores. A personal favorite for sure!

Edible Chocolate Pinecones | Recipe by My Name Is Snickerdoodle (1)

Christmas Treats

I first saw these years and years ago on a fun website and instantly knew I had to make them. My three boys were really little at the time, so they didn’t really help me. They sure did enjoy them and have had fun making them as they’ve grown.

How To Make Chocolate Pinecones

Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium bowl combine peanut butter, Nutella, butter and vanilla together until smooth.
Slowly add I powdered sugar a little at a time, making sure it’s well mixed in after each time.
Once all of the powered sugar has been added, you should end up with a thick dough consistency.
Divide chocolate peanut butter dough into 8 equal parts.
Mold one portion completely around one pretzel rod and form a cone shape with the pointy end at the top.
The pretzel should be completely covered.
Place on the parchment lined baking tray and repeat the process with the remaining dough and pretzels.
Starting at the bottom and working your way up in a spiral, press in one cereal square at a time and a slight angle pointing upwards.
Once you’ve gotten to the top, carefully slice a cereal square in half on the diagonal using a serrated knife.
These will create your top middle pieces.
Dust each pinecone with extra powdered sugar to make the appearance of snow!
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Edible Chocolate Pinecones | Recipe by My Name Is Snickerdoodle (2)

If you need more Christmas and holiday recipes in your life, click these below!

Christmas Punch
Magic Cookie Bars For Christmas
Chocolate Pecan Bars
Grinch Sundaes by Gluesticks Blog

Edible Chocolate Pinecones Recipe

Edible Chocolate Pinecones

Amy Williams mynameissnickerdoodle.com

The sweetest little holiday dessert!

3.91 from 122 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Ingredients

3 cups Chocolate Cinnamon Toast Crunch
8 Honey Wheat Pretzel Twists
2/3 cup Peanut Butter
1/3 cup Nutella or Chocolate Spread
4 TBSP Salted Butter Softened
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1 1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar

Instructions

Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium bowl combine peanut butter, Nutella, butter and vanilla together until smooth.
Slowly add I powdered sugar a little at a time, making sure it's well mixed in after each time.
Once all of the powered sugar has been added, you should end up with a thick dough consistency.
Divide chocolate peanut butter dough into 8 equal parts.
Mold one portion completely around one pretzel rod and form a cone shape with the pointy end at the top.
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The pretzel should be completely covered.
Place on the parchment lined baking tray and repeat the process with the remaining dough and pretzels.
Starting at the bottom and working your way up in a spiral, press in one cereal square at a time and a slight angle pointing upwards.
Once you've gotten to the top, carefully slice a cereal square in half on the diagonal using a serrated knife.
These will create your top middle pieces.
Dust each pinecone with extra powdered sugar to make the appearance of snow!
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Notes

*If you are not serving these right away, do not add the extra dusting of powdered sugar over the top until you are just read to serve them.

Keyword cereal, Chocolate, chocolate desserts, Christmas, Dessert, nutella, Peanut Butter

*Originally posted November 2014 and updated November 2021.

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Jennifer

November 18, 2021 at 10:58 pm

Recipe I’m sure is great, but I can’t read it because of all the ad pop ups.

Amy Williams mynameissnickerdoodle.com
January 17, 2022 at 4:53 pm
I’ll share a great tip around that! Whether you are on a desktop or mobile device, simply click PRINT and you’ll find the recipe in full without the ads (and you don’t even have to print it). I’m really happy you like the recipe and would hope you would give it a higher rating solely on those merits. Thank you!