This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
These adorable Swiss roll train treats are really easy to make and you only need five ingredients for them. Whether you’re working on a festive, Christmas-themed dessert board or you just want to whip up some cute festive snacks, add these to your list! You don’t have to go to the Sacramento waterfront to board the Polar Express ride or even watch the movie (although you should – it’s fun!) when you can whip up your very own Polar Express train at home in just ten minutes.
Candies, cookies and chocolate combine to make these cute Swiss roll train treats which make a wonderful and magical Christmas centerpiece for your holiday table.
You might also like to make old-fashioned gumdrop nougat, this gingerbread loaf, or some homemade panettone (Italian Christmas bread).
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: There’s no baking involved in this easy recipe and it takes literally about 10 minutes from start to finish.
Last minute snack idea: Since this recipe is so quick and easy, it’s worth stocking up on the ingredients so you can whip it up whenever you want a sweet snack to pair with your favorite Christmas movie.
Sweet and delicious: If you love chocolate, candies and cake, you’re definitely going to savor each bite of this Swiss rolls train cake.
Polar Express Train Treat Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Swiss rolls: Use any brand of chocolate Swiss rolls you like.
Mini Milky Ways: To decorate the train cars.
Hershey’s Kisses: To decorate the train cars.
Melting wafers: To stick the decorations on to the train cars. Use black or dark brown.
Mini Oreos: To look like the train wheels.
How to Make No Bake Chocolate Trains
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Unwrap the candies: Unwrap the Swiss rolls, Milky Way candy bars and Hershey’s Kisses.
Melt the chocolate wafers: Microwave them until melted.
Add the Milky Ways: Stick the Milky Ways to the Swiss rolls using the melted chocolate.
Add the Hershey’s Kisses: Stick them to the Swiss rolls using the melted chocolate.
Add the mini Oreos: Separate the cookies and stick to the Swiss roll to look like wheels.
Substitutions and Variations
Different chocolate candy: You can swap the mini Milky Way candy bars for any other square shaped chocolates and/or the Hershey’s Kisses for another kind of candy too.
Oreo cookies: Feel free to use another brand of chocolate sandwich cookie or any mini chocolate cookies you want.
Serving Suggestions
More sweet treats: Add along with these hot cocoa cookie cups to a Polar Express dessert board and perhaps include some fluffernutter cookies too.
Special savory snacks: Some savory bites that would go well include rosemary cheddar crackers and poinsettia focaccia bread.
Holiday drinks: Pair your Swiss roll trains with anything from spiced pineapple rum hot toddies to boozy hot chocolate.
How to Store a Swiss Roll Train Cake
Store: Cover the plate with plastic wrap or foil and keep refrigerated. The train will stay fresh for a day or so, but will then start to dry out.
Freeze: It won’t look anywhere near as pretty once thawed, so it’s best not to freeze this recipe.
Top Tips
Melt the chocolate in increments: Stir the chocolate wafers every 30 seconds while microwaving, otherwise the chocolate might scorch in spots and not melt evenly.
Attaching the Oreo wheels: The cream on the Oreo halves should help them adhere to the Swiss rolls but you can use some of the melted chocolate wafers if not.
Best served fresh: It’s best to make the Swiss roll Polar Express just before serving, but you can cover and refrigerate until required.
Chocolate Train Treats FAQs
Sure, you can melt some chocolate chips instead.
The ingredients all have some degree of gluten in them, so you’d have to switch out everything. If you’re looking for a gluten-free sweet treat, you might like to whip up something else.
Yes, you can use Starlight mints, the ones with the red and white stripes. They would look great!
No Bake Chocolate Train Treats Recipe
Swiss Roll Train Treats
Ingredients
- 8 Swiss rolls, chocolate-covered
- 8 mini Milky Way candy bars
- 8 Hershey Kisses
- 2 Ounces melting chocolate wafers, black
- 16 mini Oreo cookies
Instructions
- Unwrap your Swiss rolls, Milky Ways and Hershey Kisses.
- Melt your chocolate for 30 second increments, stirring in between each increment, until completely melted.
- Dip the bottom of a Milky Way in the melted chocolate and place on one end of the top of a Swiss roll. Repeat with the remaining Swiss rolls.
- Dip the bottom of a Hershey Kiss in the melted chocolate and place on the other end of the top of a Swiss roll. Repeat with the remaining Swiss rolls.
- Separate each mini Oreo, so you’ll use two full mini Oreos per Swiss roll train and will have 4 halves.
- Place the 2 halves on one side of the Swiss roll (to replicate wheels) and the other 2 halves on the other side. The Oreo cream should be enough to help them stick on, but you can also use some melted chocolate to help them hold better.
- Repeat with the remaining Swiss rolls, then serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.
Notes
Attaching the Oreo wheels: The cream on the Oreo halves should help them adhere to the Swiss rolls but you can use some of the melted chocolate wafers if not.
Best served fresh: It’s best to make the Swiss roll Polar Express just before serving, but you can cover and refrigerate until required.
Nutrition
These Swiss roll train treats are so quick and easy to assemble and they’re the perfect snack to serve with your holiday hot chocolate. If the kids love visiting the railroad museum and love all things trains, you have to try this special festive recipe. It’s a lot of fun to make your own Polar Express train cake and you can get the kids to help out if you’re looking for a fun and festive activity that can be eaten afterwards!
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.