Christmas Rice Krispie Treats are such a fun and delicious way to celebrate the holidays! Cut into shapes or squares, these treats are filled with extra marshmallows, candies, and sprinkles!
Whenever I make rice crispy treats, I always make them extra gooey and flavorful with added vanilla, extra butter, and extra marshmallows. I’ve made them for lots of holidays but love them even more at Christmastime!
Adding sprinkles, candies, and cutting them into fun Christmas shapes takes them from tasty to festive fun!
What you need for Christmas Rice Crispie Treats?
- Mini Marshmallows
- Unsalted Butter
- Salt
- Vanilla Extract
- Puffed Rice Cereal- I used Rice Krispy brand
- Red and Green M&Ms
- Christmas Sprinkles
- Candy Melts- if dipping
- Christmas Cookie Cutters- if making shapes
Fun Tip: Use the Red and Green Rice Krispies if you can find them at the store for extra festiveness! I have the best luck finding them at Target. Not so much luck at Walmart though!
How to make Christmas Rice Krispy Treats?
- Spray a 9x9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large sauce pan melt the butter on low heat.
- Once melted remove stir in the vanilla and salt.
- Then add in part of the marshmallows and stir until fully melted.
- Once melted remove from heat and stir in cereal, remaining marshmallows, half the M&Ms, and half the sprinkles.
- Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Allow to cool and then enjoy! If making ornaments see instructions below before the treats set!
Christmas Rice Krispy Treat Tips:
- This recipe makes thick treats in a square 9”x9” pan.
- Double the recipe to make thick treats for a 9”x13” dish.
- If you use large marshmallows make sure to melt on low. Chop a few and set aside so they don’t melt, so you can mix in with the sprinkles.
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How to make cut shapes in to rice krispies?
- Grease your Christmas Cookie cutters.
- Press the cookie cutters into the cooled rice crispy treats.
- The thinner the treats the easier it is to cut, so either carefully cut the treats in half horizontally, or press the rice crispy treats into a large dish to cool.
- With the leftover rice crispy treats, that you cut off from the shapes, press into balls to form ornaments.
- Dip the shapes in candy melts and decorate!
How to make 3D ornament or tree rice crispy treats?
- Grease your hands with non-stick cooking spray.
- Before the rice crispies set, but while they are still warm, scoop out a bit and roll into a ball. If making trees, shape into a cone.
- Place balls on a parchment lined baking sheet. Keep checking and pressing the balls together as they cool.
- Once cooled and set, dip in melted candy melts, and decorate with sprinkles and candies. I used mini resses as the ornament topper.
Make sure to check out all my fun and delicious Christmas recipes here! You don’t want to miss my Wreath Cookies, Christmas Tree Cookie Cake, and these Twice Upon a Cupcakes!
Store rice crispy treats in an air tight baggie or container. If left out the air will make them go stale.
Heating the marshmallows too quickly over too high heat will cause the treats to be dry and crumbly.
Rice crispy treats, if stored in an airtight container at room temperature, are good for 3-5 days.
Store treats in an air-tight container or Ziplock baggie. If giving as a gift you can also wrap with colorful cling wrap or clear treat bags.
If you like this recipe, make sure to check out my Christmas Hot Cocoa Bombs, Christmas Cheesecake, Holiday Cake Pops, Reindeer Chow and these tasty festive oreo balls!
Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- 9x9 square pan
Ingredients
- 7 cups mini marshmallows divided*
- 4 tbs unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups puffed rice cereal I used Rice Krispy brand *
- 1 cup red and green M&Ms divided
- 2 tbs Christmas sprinkles divided (use one or a variety!)
- Red, Green, or White Candy Melts if dipping or cookie cutters for shapes- optional
Instructions
- Grease a 9x9 baking dish* with cooking spray or butter, set aside.
- In a large sauce pan melt butter over medium low heat. Once melted stir in the vanilla extract and salt.4 tbs unsalted butter, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Reduce heat to low and add in 5 cups of mini marshmallows. Stir until completely melted.7 cups mini marshmallows
- Once fully melted remove from heat and stir in puffed rice cereal, remaining 2 cups of mini marshmallows, ½ of the sprinkles, and ½ cup M&Ms.6 cups puffed rice cereal, 1 cup red and green M&Ms, 2 tbs Christmas sprinkles
- Press into prepared baking dish and allow to cool completely before cutting. Before the rice crispies cool completely gently press the remain ½ cup of M&Ms on top and sprinkle with a few more Christmas colored sprinkles.
Cut Shapes
- To make cut shapes, allow treats to cool completely, then press a greased cookie cutter into the treats and cut out the shape.
- Dip shape in candy melts and decorate.Red, Green, or White Candy Melts if dipping or cookie cutters for shapes- optional
Ornament Treats
- While still warm, roll ⅛th of a cup of rice crispy treats into a ball.
- Place balls on parchment paper and allow to set.
- Dip balls in candy melts, then decorate with sprinkles and a mini ressee for the topper.
Notes
- *7 cups of mini marshmallows is 1 cup more than a 10 oz bag, so I recommend buying a 16 oz bag and using the leftovers for sweet potatoes or cookies!
- *If you can find the red and green Rice Krispies during the holidays those are fun to use too!
- *If you want to cut shapes out of the rice crispies I recommend using 13x9 baking dish to press the rice crispies into a thin layer. Let them cool then use a cookie cutter sprayed with pam to cut out the shapes.
Lisa says
I love how easy and festive these turn out! Plus they are the best tasting rice cripsy treats recipe!