Holiday Rice Krispie Treats
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These Christmas Holiday Rice Krispie Treats are the perfect holiday dessert to share at cookie exchanges, school events, and family gatherings. Made with gooey marshmallows, crispy rice cereal, and a sweet white chocolate drizzle, they bring all the holiday spirit to your Christmas dessert table.
Kids of all ages will love decorating them with sprinkles and M&Ms, and the best part is they come together in minutes without needing to bake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A fun holiday treat that’s easy to make in one large pot
- Sweet, chewy, and crunchy texture from the melted marshmallow mixture and crispy rice cereal
- Perfect for cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, or class treats
- Great way to involve kids in the kitchen
- Stores beautifully in an airtight container for make-ahead convenience
- White chocolate drizzles and colorful M&Ms add a festive touch
- Can be shaped into Christmas trees or other fun holiday shapes with cookie cutters
Ingredients for Christmas rice krispies treats
- Rice Krispies cereal
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Mini marshmallows
- White chocolate
- Mini Christmas sprinkles
- Red and green M&Ms
Equipment and kitchen tools
- 9×13-inch baking dish
How to make festive rice krispies treats
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare baking dish. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the salt and vanilla.
Step 2 – Add the marshmallows and stir until melted and smooth, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Step 3 – Remove from heat and fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until fully coated.
Step 4 – Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and let cool for 2 minutes. Let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, until firm.
Step 6 – Remove from the pan and place on a cutting board. Melt white chocolate
Step 6 – Drizzle chocolate over the top, then add sprinkles and M&Ms.
Let set until hardened, then cut into squares and serve.
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Tips for the Best Results
- Use a large saucepan or pot so the cereal mixture stirs evenly without spilling.
- Melt butter over low heat to keep the marshmallows soft and prevent scorching.
- Stir constantly until the melted marshmallows are completely smooth before adding cereal.
- Lightly coat your rubber spatula or large spoon with nonstick cooking spray to handle the sticky mixture easily.
- Press the mixture gently into the prepared baking pan so it stays fluffy rather than dense.
- Let the squares set at room temperature instead of refrigerating to keep their soft, chewy texture.
- Use wax paper or parchment paper to line your pan for easy removal.
- Add the melted chocolate drizzle once the squares are cool so it sets neatly.
- For perfect squares, use a sharp knife coated with a little butter or cooking spray before slicing.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap white chocolate chips for milk or dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
- Try brown butter Rice Krispie treats for a nutty twist.
- Mix in green candy, gel food coloring, or green rice krispies for a bright Christmas tree look.
- Use pretzel sticks as tree trunks when cutting into festive shapes with a Christmas tree cookie cutter.
- Add crushed candy canes, candy melts, or candy bows for extra holiday flair.
- Make Grinch Rice Krispie treats by coloring the marshmallow mixture light green and topping with one red heart or green M&Ms.
- Shape the sticky mixture into festive shapes using cookie cutters and decorate with melted chocolate and sprinkles.
- Wrap leftovers in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
FAQs About This Recipe
Yes, they keep their fluffy texture for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Yes, use about 40 large marshmallows to replace a 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows. Let them melt fully over low heat before stirring in the cereal.
Use a buttered spatula, or lightly spray your hands and tools with nonstick cooking spray before pressing the mixture into the pan.
Absolutely. Candy melts work great and come in fun colors for decorating holiday rice krispie treats.
A 9×13-inch pan creates the perfect thickness for rice krispie squares. For thicker treats, use a smaller pan and press the cereal mixture less firmly.
Cut the cooled treats with Christmas tree cookie cutters, add white chocolate drizzles, sprinkles, and a few red and green M&Ms. They’ll look beautiful on any Christmas cookie tray or dessert table.
More Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
More festive desserts
Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 10 oz mini marshmallows
- ½ cup white chocolate
- 2 tbsp mini Christmas sprinkles
- 40 –50 red and green M&Ms
Instructions
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with foil and lightly grease it.
- In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the salt and vanilla.
- Add the marshmallows and stir until melted and smooth, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until fully coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and let cool for 2 minutes.
- With greased hands or rubber spatula, gently press into an even layer.
- Let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, until firm.
- Remove from the pan and place on a cutting board.
- Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Drizzle over the top, then add sprinkles and M&Ms.
- Add another drizzle of white chocolate and a few more sprinkles for extra color.
- Let set until hardened, then cut into squares and serve.
Notes
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