The crackle of the crisp cereal and the sweet gooey marshmallow combined with festive colors make this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe an absolute joy to make and share during the season. It’s fun, simple, and perfect for those cozy holiday moments.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t tell you how many times this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe has saved me when I wanted a quick, bright, and delicious dessert for gatherings. It’s such a crowd-pleaser, and you’ll love how easy it is to customize!
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for last-minute holiday baking or a fun project with the kids.
- Festive and Colorful: The holiday M&M’s and sprinkles add a cheerful pop that looks amazing on any dessert table.
- Customizable: Swap in your favorite holiday candies or flavors to make it truly your own tradition.
- Deliciously Nostalgic: It brings back those warm memories of holiday treats made with family, with a little grown-up twist thanks to the white chocolate drizzle.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe is all about balancing that classic Rice Krispie crunch with soft, gooey marshmallows and festive sweetness. I always recommend using fresh marshmallows and cereal for the best texture. The holiday M&M's add just the right crunch mixed with bursts of chocolate.
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and a creamy base; salted helps balance sweetness nicely.
- Mini Marshmallows: Melt down smooth for that sticky, binding sweetness; mini sizes melt evenly.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances sweetness with subtle warmth, making treats taste homemade.
- Rice Krispies Cereal: The signature crisp cereal creates texture contrast essential to these treats.
- Holiday M&M's: They bring vibrant color and chocolate bursts, making this recipe festive and fun.
- Holiday Sprinkles: Choose soft jimmies for a pretty look and a hint of crunch without overpowering.
- White Chocolate Melting Wafers: Adds a creamy, sweet drizzle that elevates presentation and flavor.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. I love swapping out candies depending on the occasion or what’s in the pantry—it’s a great way to keep the recipe fresh year after year.
- Variation: I once swapped the holiday M&M's for crushed peppermint candies and added a dash of peppermint extract for an extra festive twist—so delicious and perfect for the season!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan
Start by lining a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. This simple step makes cleanup a breeze and helps your treats release cleanly when you’re ready to slice them.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons of salted butter. When it’s smooth and bubbled, toss in all but one cup of your marshmallows. Turn the heat down to low and stir gently but consistently—this prevents scorching while the marshmallows melt to silky perfection.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Mix Cereal
Remove the pan from heat and stir in a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Then, fold in 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal and the reserved 1 cup of marshmallows carefully—this ensures your treats stay light and not overly sticky. Lastly, add one cup of those festive holiday M&M’s and all your sprinkles for that cheerful holiday pop.
Step 4: Press and Decorate
Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and gently press it down with your fingertips. Press just enough to spread it evenly without compacting it too much—this keeps your treats delightfully chewy. Drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkle on the rest of your holiday M&M’s plus a few extra sprinkles for sparkle. Let them set for about an hour before slicing.
Top Tip
I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, and one thing I can’t stress enough is to go easy on the pressing once you place the mixture in the pan. Press too hard, and you end up with dense, chewy blocks instead of that light classic texture.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Marshmallows and cereal lose their magic when stale—always check freshness for the best results.
- Stir Gently: When folding in the cereal and extras, gentle strokes keep your treats airy and prevent them from becoming gluey.
- Melting White Chocolate: Use melting wafers or chocolate chips made for melting to get that smooth drizzle without clumps.
- Don’t Skip the Parchment: It makes flipping the treats out of the pan so much easier and keeps edges nice.
How to Serve Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these treats with extra holiday sprinkles and a few more M&M’s just before serving. The colorful sprinkles add a festive flair and brighten up any dessert platter instantly.
Side Dishes
Pair these treats with a warm cup of spiced hot chocolate or a cozy mug of your favorite coffee for a delightful holiday snack break. They also go great alongside other classic holiday cookies and fruitcake.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served these treats stacked as little holiday towers and wrapped each in clear cellophane tied with a festive ribbon. It makes an adorable portable gift or party favor and looks so inviting on buffet tables.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Rice Krispie treats in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, which is great because they rarely last that long at my house!
Freezing
If I want to keep some longer, I wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to three months and thaw quickly when you want a treat.
Reheating
To refresh frozen treats, I let them come to room temperature naturally or zap them for 10-15 seconds in the microwave. Be careful not to overheat, or they’ll get too sticky or chewy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! But chop the regular marshmallows into smaller pieces to help them melt evenly without clumping. Mini marshmallows tend to melt faster and result in a smoother texture.
Lining the baking pan well with parchment paper is key. You can also lightly grease the parchment if you want extra insurance. Using a gentle touch when pressing helps avoid sticky edges as well.
Yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine and use vegan marshmallows (several brands are available now). Make sure your chocolate and sprinkles are also dairy-free for a fully vegan treat.
The key is not to overcook the marshmallows and to press the mixture gently, not hard. Using fresh ingredients and serving within a few days also helps keep them chewy and fresh tasting.
Final Thoughts
This Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe has become one of my go-to festive desserts because it’s so flexible and downright delicious. I hope you have as much fun making and sharing these vibrant treats with your loved ones as I do. Give it a try and watch those smiles light up the room!
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Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Holiday Rice Krispie Treats are a festive twist on a classic snack, combining gooey marshmallows, crispy cereal, colorful holiday M&M's, and sprinkles, all drizzled with creamy white chocolate for an extra special touch. Perfect for holiday gatherings and easy to make with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 16 ounces mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 ¼ cups holiday M&M's, divided
- ¼ cup holiday sprinkles
- 5 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate melting wafers, melted (½ bag)
Instructions
- Prepare baking dish: Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and set aside to ensure easy removal of the treats later.
- Melt butter and marshmallows: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add all but 1 cup of the mini marshmallows. Reduce heat to low and stir continuously until marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add vanilla and cereal: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the pure vanilla extract. Then add the Rice Krispies cereal along with the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows and gently fold together until well combined.
- Mix in candies and sprinkles: Fold in 1 cup of holiday M&M's and all of the holiday sprinkles evenly into the mixture.
- Press mixture into dish: Pour the cereal mixture into the prepared baking dish. Using your fingertips, gently press the mixture evenly into the pan without compacting it too hard.
- Add toppings and chill: Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top and sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of holiday M&M's on top. Optionally, add a pinch of extra sprinkles for decoration. Allow the treats to set at room temperature for one hour before cutting and serving.
Notes
- You can use any variety of holiday M&M’s, such as milk chocolate or peanut butter; however, peanut butter M&M's may add extra crunch.
- Always use fresh marshmallows and cereal to ensure your treats are soft and fresh, as stale ingredients lead to stale treats.
- Jimmies (little log-shaped sprinkles) are preferred for their soft texture and appearance; quins (flat circle or shaped sprinkles) are also suitable. Avoid nonpareils for best results.
- Feel free to swap out holiday candy and sprinkles to suit any holiday or theme you prefer.
- Store your Rice Krispie treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- You can freeze these treats for up to 3 months in an airtight container for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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