This Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is an easy and festive no-bake dessert that brings holiday cheer! Your friends and family will love their soft and chewy texture and joyful appearance, and you’ll love how easy they are to prep. It is a must-make recipe for Christmas cookie trays and holiday get-togethers!
15dropsgreen food coloringmay vary depending on the strength of your food coloring
Toppings
2ozred candy melts
1teaspoonsanding sugar sprinkles
¼cupholiday M&Ms
Instructions
Place crispy rice cereal in a large mixing bowl and prepare a 9x9 pan with parchment paper, butter, or both.
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add the marshmallows and stir regularly until they are half melted, then adding the vanilla extract and food coloring. Stir well, adding more food coloring if desired.
Once marshmallows are completely melted into the butter and food coloring evenly distributed, slowly drizzle the melted marshmallow mixture over the cereal, stirring while you pour. Stir gently until all of the cereal is evenly coated.
Transfer the cereal mixture to the prepared pan, gently pressing it in with your spatula.
Melt candy melts in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments, or per the package instructions. Drizzle the melted candy over the top of the treats, then add sprinkles and M&Ms or other holiday toppings.
Allow at least 30 minutes to set, then remove from pan and slice into squares. Enjoy!
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Notes
Storage Directions
Storage: The DIY Christmas rice krispie treats keep covered in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They also can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Store the treats in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost them at room temperature for 30-60 minutes or until thawed.
Recipe Success Tips
Prepare the baking pan. The cereal and marshmallow mixture will be sticky and firm up relatively quickly, so you will want to line the pan with parchment paper, spread with butter, or both before starting.
Don’t pack the cereal mixture. For soft, chewy treats, gently press it into the baking pan. Pushing firmly or packing it can make them hard or tough.
Adjust the amount of food coloring. Add more coloring or a deeper green or if using liquid. Use less coloring if using a gel – they are less concentrated than liquid coloring.
Cut as desired. For large treats, cut the pan into 3 rows across and 3 down, making 9 squares. 4x4 cuts (16 squares) make lunchbox-sized, and 5x5 cuts (25 squares) make these rice krispie treats Christmascookie tray-friendly!
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. It is recommended to use your preferred calculator with the actual ingredients you use for optimal accuracy.