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.

The image shows two thick square bars made from a light beige cereal base with a slightly bumpy texture. Each bar is decorated with red and green candy-coated chocolates placed unevenly across the top, standing out with their shiny surfaces. There are small red and green sprinkles scattered on and around the bars. A white drizzle, likely icing, is spread in uneven lines over the tops of the bars and the white marbled surface beneath. A white bowl filled with matching red and green candy-coated chocolates is partially visible in the lower left corner. The bars rest on a piece of light brown parchment paper. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

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.

The image shows several square-shaped rice cereal treats arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each treat has a light golden color base made from puffed rice mixed with a sticky binder. On top, there are scattered red and green candy-coated chocolates, some whole and some broken, adding bright spots of color. White drizzle, likely icing or melted white chocolate, is spread unevenly over the tops of the treats, creating a textured, slightly glossy look. The treats look soft but firm, with the candy pieces embedded inside as well as on the surface. In the background, a white bowl with green stripes is partially visible, filled with more colorful candy-coated chocolates. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of six tablespoons of salted butter in a small white ceramic bowl, a heap of white mini marshmallows spilling slightly from a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with smooth white vanilla extract, a generous mound of golden puffed rice Krispies cereal on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl holding vibrant red, green, and white holiday M&M's, a small white dish with multicolored holiday jimmies sprinkles, and a simple white ceramic bowl containing melted creamy white chocolate, all arranged symmetrically and naturally, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

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.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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

Holiday Rice Krispie Treats - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini?

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.

What’s the best way to prevent Rice Krispie treats from sticking?

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.

Can I make these treats vegan or dairy-free?

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.

How do I keep the treats soft and chewy instead of hard?

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!