ARE RICE CRISPY TREATS A HEALTHY SNACK?

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?

CAN I USE MINI MARSHMALLOWS?

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.

HOW DO YOU PACKAGE HOMEMADE RICE CRISPY TREATS?

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!

HOW DO I MAKE THESE VEGAN?

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.

ARE THESE RICE CRISPY TREATS GLUTEN-FREE?

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!

CAN I USE ANOTHER TYPE OF CEREAL?

Swap out Rice Krispies for your favorite—try Cocoa Puffs, Chex Cereal, Fruity Loops, or even a few pretzels!

CHRISTMAS RICE KRISPIES TREATS

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

Scale

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

1/2 teaspoon salt

7 cups rice crispy cereal

Red and green M&M's

Chocolate Vermicelli sprinkles (as many as your festive heart desires!)

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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