Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

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I love making these adorable Christmas Rice Krispie Treats with my family. They’re festive, fun, and so easy to make in less than an hour, they also make for a great holiday activity to do with the kids.

Rice Krispie treats have always been one of my favorite childhood desserts, so when the holidays came around, I thought, why not make them festive just like my Santa pancakes? By shaping them into holiday wreaths and adding colorful decorations, I turned this classic treat into something perfect for the season.

Since I made these for the first time, they’ve become a holiday tradition with my kids, kind of like setting up the Christmas tree! Every year, we look forward to making and decorating these festive treats together.

🥘 Ingredients

I kept my Christmas Rice Krispie treats recipe super simple, no fancy ingredients, just everyday staples transformed into something festive and fun!

Rice Krispie Treats: I use rice cereal, marshmallows, and butter to make the base for these treats.

Natural Food Colors: I love using natural food coloring to get the bright green wreaths and red ribbons while avoiding artificial dyes. It keeps the treats fun and a little more wholesome!

Colored Candies: These are chocolate candies I melt to create the bows and balls for decorating. They add a festive and delicious finishing touch to the treats.

🔪 How To Make

You won’t believe how simple and fun my Christmas rice krispie treats are to make. I can’t wait to share this recipe with you.

Step 1: I start by lining a baking sheet with wax paper and setting it aside. Then, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, I melt the butter, add the marshmallows, and stir until they’re completely melted. Once it’s smooth and gooey, I take it off the heat.

Step 2: Next, I add green food coloring to the melted marshmallows and mix until the color is evenly blended. It’s so satisfying to watch the festive green color come to life.

Step 3: I fold the rice cereal into the melted marshmallow mixture until everything is well combined. Then, I use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly onto the lined pan, shaping it into an 8×10-inch rectangle. It’s quick and easy to get it into the perfect shape.

Step 4: I let the Rice Krispies set for about 10 minutes so they’re firm enough to cut. Then, I use a 2 ½-inch circular cookie cutter to cut out the wreath shapes and a smaller ¾-inch cutter to make the center holes. It’s so fun watching the wreaths take shape!

Step 5: I melt the red candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl, heating them in 30-second intervals and stirring in between until smooth. Once melted, I scoop the candy into a piping bag and pipe a red bow at the bottom of each wreath. To make the bow, I start with two circles connected like an infinity sign, then add two lines in the center.

Step 6: I melt the yellow candy melts just like the red ones, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring until smooth. Then, I scoop the melted yellow candy into another piping bag and pipe small yellow dots around each wreath (about six per wreath). Once everything sets, they’re ready to serve!

📖 Variations

I love making these Christmas Rice Krispie Treats because they’re so simple and festive, perfect for the holiday season! For a fun variation, try these:

Vegan: I make these treats vegan by using gelatin-free marshmallows like Dandies and vegan butter. For decorating, I check that the candies are dairy-free or swap them for vegan sprinkles.

Different Shapes: Sometimes I use a Christmas tree cookie cutter or other holiday shapes to switch things up. It’s such a fun way to make them even more festive!

Different Flavors: I love adding a drizzle of chocolate for a richer treat, or using peppermint marshmallows for a holiday twist. Vanilla extract or cinnamon sugar are also great options to try.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

These Christmas Rice Krispie Treats are a fun and festive way to bring holiday cheer to your dessert table! Serve them with a warm cup of hot oat milk chocolate or package them in gift bags for a sweet holiday surprise. I love packaging these Christmas Rice Krispie Treats in cute holiday-themed gift bags tied with a festive ribbon. Once they’re ready, my kids can’t wait to take them to share with their friends in the neighborhood. It’s become a little tradition for us, and I love seeing how much joy these simple treats bring to everyone.

🧊 Storage Directions

Refrigeration: I store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If it’s warm in the house, I pop them in the fridge to keep them from getting sticky.

Freezing: To freeze, I wrap each treat individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They stay fresh for up to 2 months, and I just let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating: While they don’t need much reheating, if they feel a little firm, I microwave them for about 10 seconds to soften them up. They taste as good as freshly made!

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