Christmas rice krispies treats are exactly what Santa ordered! These gooey, marshmallow-filled squares are —easy to make, bursting with chunky marshmallow pieces, and can be made vegan. Whether you’re whipping them up for a holiday party or looking for fun treat ideas to share with the kids, these homemade Christmas Rice Krispies Treats are a festive favorite.
Happy Holidays Everyone! 🎄
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🎄 CHRISTMAS TREATS WITH RICE KRISPIES
These treats are an absolute hit at holiday parties! Along with dirty chai cake and Copycat Little Debbie Cake, this recipe is one of my favorites for the holiday season!
Not only are they easy to make and super festive, but they’re also easy to customize. I like to supersize them. I want a rice krispie square the size of my hand. 🤚
You can add different colored sprinkles, swap the M&Ms for mini chocolate chips, or even add a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy look.
Plus, they’re the perfect size to pop on your dessert table next to all those holiday cookies.
You’ll love making (and eating) these easy treats. Whether you’re shaping them into reindeer, or cutting them into classic squares, they’re sure to bring joy to your holiday festivities.
❤️ HERE'S WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Loaded with Chocolate Sprinkles - they add that final little crunch.
I added extra marshmallows mixed in at the end. I like using large marshmallows sliced up.
Made Without Peanut Butter - safe for nut-free holiday parties! If you are looking for a protein version then look at these PB chocolate crispies.
Easy & Fun - perfect for a last-minute dessert idea or holiday activity with the kids.
Easy To Make In Advance - so you'll have one less thing to worry about during the busy holiday season with these holiday rice krispie treats! 🎉
RECIPES TO TRY NEXT TIME
🥄 INGREDIENTS NEEDED AND SUBSTITUTION
UNSALTED BUTTER: Use dairy-free/plant-based butter as a vegan option
MARSHMALLOWS: I use full-size marshmallows and slice them up. Choose vegan marshmallows if you are making the vegan version.
VANILLA EXTRACT: For more flavor!
SALT: Balances the sweetness.
RICE CRISPIES CEREAL
RED AND GREEN M&Ms: Swap for vegan chocolate chopped up.
CHOCOLATE VERMICELLI SPRINKLES: As many as your festive heart desires!
👩🏼🍳 INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare Your Pan: Grease a 9x9-inch pan with butter (or line it with parchment paper for easy removal).
Melt the Butter: Chop up the marshmallows into chunks. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
Add the Marshmallows: Once melted, add 7 cups of marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla extract (watch it sizzle away!) add the salt.
Mix in the Cereal: Quickly add the crispy rice cereal to the melted marshmallow mixture, stirring until the cereal is evenly coated.
Add the Extras: Fold in the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows for extra gooey bites. They won't melt completely and that's ok! We want chunky pieces of marshmallows between the rice crispies.
Press into the Pan: Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan, and using a buttered spatula (or your hands, lightly greased), press the mixture down evenly.
Decorate: Sprinkle on red and green M&Ms use your hands to push the M&M's down into the marshmallows.
More Sprinkles, Please!: Finish your Christmas Rice Krispies Treats by sprinkling on chocolate sprinkles.
Let Them Set: Allow the treats to cool and set for about 30 minutes at room temperature.
📝 TIPS AND TRICKS
Butter: If you are using salted butter then DO NOT add extra salt.
Don’t overheat the marshmallows: This can make the treats hard. Melt them low and slow for a perfectly gooey texture.
Get creative with shapes: Use cookie cutters to create festive trees, stars, or even snowmen for a fun and personalized touch!
Want some extra sweetness?: Drizzle melted chocolate over the top. You can also dip half of the treat in chocolate for a festive chocolate-covered look.
Make it gluten-free: Double-check that your crispy rice cereal and sprinkles are gluten-free to keep this treat allergy-friendly.
Too Sticky: Wet your hands when working with these treats. It helps prevent the melted marshmallow from sticking to you.
❓FAQS
Rice crispy treats aren't typically considered a healthy snack, as they are usually made with ingredients like marshmallows and butter, which are high in sugar and fat. Everything is in moderation, right?
Absolutely! I personally love tossing in larger, chunky pieces of marshmallows at the end so they get wedged between the rice crispies. It adds that extra gooeyness.
Rice crispy treats make the perfect gift! You can package them in a cute, fun box lined with parchment paper, or go the extra mile and fill a glass jar with bite-sized pieces. Don’t forget to tie it all together with a pretty, festive ribbon!
Simply swap the marshmallows for a vegan option and substitute the butter for plant-based/dairy-free better. Remember to leave out the M&M's and use vegan chocolate chips.
Marshmallows are naturally gluten-free, but to keep your treats 100% gluten-free, be sure to swap out regular Rice Krispies for a certified gluten-free cereal!
Swap out Rice Krispies for your favorite—try cocoa puffs, Chex Cereal, fruity loops, or even a few pretzels!
MAKE-AHEAD AND STORAGE
MAKE-AHEAD:
You can make these treats up to 2-3 days ahead of time. To keep them fresh, be sure to store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer parchment paper between.
STORAGE:
Room Temperature: Store your Christmas Rice Krispies Treats in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days. Avoid storing them in the fridge, as it can make them hard.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze as mentioned above. Just make sure they’re well-wrapped to avoid freezer burn. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It genuinely helps me & I really appreciate your support! Nikki 💚
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CHRISTMAS RICE KRISPIES TREATS
- Total Time: 10 min Prep Time + 5 min Cook Time + 30 min Set Time
- Yield: 16 1x
Description
Christmas rice krispies treats are exactly what Santa ordered! These gooey, marshmallow-filled squares are —easy to make, bursting with chunky marshmallow pieces, and can be made vegan. Whether you’re whipping them up for a holiday party or looking for fun treat ideas to share with the kids, these homemade Christmas Rice Krispies Treats are a festive win.
Ingredients
8 Tablespoons (1 stick or 113 g) unsalted butter
16 oz (450 g) full-size marshmallows, chopped up and divided into 7 cups and 1 cup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
7 cups rice crispy cereal
Red and green M&M's
Chocolate Vermicelli sprinkles (as many as your festive heart desires!)
Instructions
Prepare Your Pan: Grease a 9x9-inch pan with butter (or line it with parchment paper for easy removal).
Melt the Butter & Marshmallows: Chop up the marshmallows into chunks. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Once melted, add 7 cups of marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla extract (watch it sizzle away!) add the salt.
Mix in the Cereal: Quickly add the crispy rice cereal to the melted marshmallow mixture, stirring until the cereal is evenly coated.
Add the Extras: Fold in the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows for extra gooey bites. They won't melt completely and that's ok! We want chunky pieces of marshmallows between the rice crispies.
Press into the Pan: Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan, and using a buttered spatula (or your hands, lightly greased), press the mixture down evenly.
Decorate: Sprinkle on red and green M&Ms use your hands to push the M&M's down into the marshmallows.
More Sprinkles, Please!: Finish your Christmas Rice Krispies Treats by sprinkling on chocolate sprinkles.
Let Them Set: Allow the treats to cool and set for about 30 minutes at room temperature.
Notes
Salted Butter: If you use salted butter, do NOT add extra salt.
Don’t overheat the marshmallows: This can make the treats hard. Melt them low and slow for a perfectly gooey texture.
Too Sticky: Wet your hands when working with these treats. It helps prevent the melted marshmallow from sticking to you.
Storage: Store your Christmas Rice Krispies Treats in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days. Avoid storing them in the fridge, as it can make them hard.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze as mentioned above. Just make sure they’re well-wrapped to avoid freezer burn. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Category: Baking, Desserts, Cakes
- Method: no-bake
- Cuisine: American
Jack says
I made this and it was delicious.
Nikki says
Thanks so much for the feedback! Nikki x