There’s something about the perfect balance of gooey marshmallows, crispy cereal, and festive colors that just feels like the holidays wrapped up in a treat. This Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is one of my all-time favorites to make—it brings that joyful crunch with a sweet twist that’s impossible to resist.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is a winner because it takes such a classic snack and makes it feel extra special for the season. I’ve made this batch after batch, adding in colorful M&M’s and sprinkles, and it never fails to bring smiles.
- Perfectly festive: The holiday M&M’s and sprinkles add both crunch and eye-catching color that instantly brighten up any dessert table.
- Simple and quick: It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect treat to whip up last-minute during busy holiday gatherings.
- Customizable: You can easily swap out the candy and sprinkles to match any holiday or celebration you like.
- Kid-friendly and nostalgic: These treats always take me right back to those cozy childhood holiday moments—something I love sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays its part in creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture and unbeatable flavor. Make sure you pick fresh marshmallows and crisp cereal for the best results — that slight freshness difference truly sets apart the final treats.
- Salted butter: Adds a subtle richness and helps melt the marshmallows smoothly for those perfectly sticky treats.
- Mini marshmallows: Using mini ones (rather than big marshmallows) ensures even melting and a tender, chewy base.
- Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavor beautifully.
- Rice Krispies cereal: The classic choice here for that iconic crisp and light crunch.
- Holiday M&M’s: These festive candies add bursts of chocolate and color—don’t skip the peanut butter ones if you like a little extra texture!
- Holiday sprinkles: For that extra touch of festive flair and a hint of crunch.
- White chocolate melting wafers: The drizzle on top adds a smooth, creamy contrast that looks as lovely as it tastes.
Make It Your Way
I love encouraging little tweaks in this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe because that’s what makes your batch truly yours. Whether it’s swapping candy or sneaking in some festive flavors, there’s a lot of fun in making it personal.
- Variation: I’ve tried adding crushed peppermint candy instead of sprinkles, and it adds a refreshing, minty crunch that’s fantastic for Christmas vibes.
- Dietary tweaks: For a gluten-free option, just double-check your cereal is certified gluten-free—and you’re all set!
- Chocolate lovers: Try mixing in mini chocolate chips or drizzle with dark chocolate for a richer profile.
- Seasonal swaps: Swap holiday M&M’s for pastel ones in spring or red, white, and blue for a summer celebration touch.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan with Love
Start by lining a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. I like the parchment because it makes lifting the treats out so much easier—saves on scrubbing the pan later, too! Set this aside while you work on the marshmallow mixture.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the salted butter until it’s fully liquefied. Then add all but 1 cup of the mini marshmallows. Turn the heat to low and stir consistently to avoid burning, until the marshmallows are completely melted and silky smooth. This step is key for that perfect gooey texture—take your time and don’t rush it!
Step 3: Add Vanilla, Cereal & More Marshmallows
Remove your saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract. Immediately add the Rice Krispies cereal and the last 1 cup of mini marshmallows. Gently fold the mixture together using a spatula. The extra marshmallows leave little fluffy pockets in your treats—trust me, it’s worth it.
Step 4: Mix in M&M’s and Sprinkles
Fold in 1 cup of the holiday M&M’s and all the holiday sprinkles. I’m always tempted to sneak a few extra in here and there because they’re just so festive and fun to spot in every bite!
Step 5: Press and Decorate
Pour your mixture into the prepared baking dish. Now, press gently with your fingertips to spread it evenly—press too hard and the treats get dense, too soft and they won’t hold together well, so a gentle touch is best. Then drizzle melted white chocolate over the top and sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup M&M’s (and extra sprinkles if you want). Let it set for about an hour before slicing.
Top Tip
Over the years, I've learned a few tricks that keep these Holiday Rice Krispie Treats perfect every time. Getting just the right texture and letting them set fully before slicing makes a massive difference—and I’m sharing those nuggets here to save you from guesswork.
- Low and slow melting: Always melt the marshmallows over low heat after the butter’s melted to prevent scorching and ensure silky smooth mixing.
- Gentle pressing: Avoid packing the mixture down; gentle pressing keeps treats light and airy rather than dense and chewy.
- Using fresh ingredients: Stale marshmallows or cereal mean tough or stale treats—go fresh for irresistible softness and crunch.
- Chill time is key: While it’s tempting to dig right in, letting them set an hour or longer means cleaner cuts and better texture.
How to Serve Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple with a sprinkle of extra holiday M&M’s and a few colorful jimmies on top. It amps up the look without overpowering the classic flavors—plus, it’s a fun little preview of the treat inside. Sometimes a tiny pinch of edible glitter works wonders, especially when I’m gifting these treats.
Side Dishes
These treats pair perfectly with hot cocoa or spiced cider for that cozy holiday feel. I also love serving them alongside a simple fruit tray, letting the fresh flavors balance the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve wrapped individual squares in clear cellophane tied with festive ribbons—it’s such an easy and charming way to share them as gifts. Another idea I’ve tried is stacking smaller cut-outs in a clear jar layered with sprinkles and candies for a pretty display piece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover treats in an airtight container at room temperature. In my experience, they taste best fresh but will stay perfectly soft for up to a week if sealed well. I avoid refrigerating since it makes them a bit harder.
Freezing
If I want to prep ahead, I carefully wrap the treats tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze them. When I’m ready to enjoy, I let them thaw at room temperature and they come out almost as good as fresh—super handy for holiday prep!
Reheating
Since these treats are best enjoyed as-is, I usually don’t reheat. But if you like a warm and melty texture, popping a single treat in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds works nicely—just keep an eye so it doesn't get too soft.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but mini marshmallows melt more evenly and quickly, giving you that perfectly smooth texture. If you use large marshmallows, chop them into smaller pieces before melting.
Let the treats set completely for at least an hour. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. You can also lightly grease the knife or run it under hot water and dry before slicing for smoother edges.
Absolutely! You can skip it or use melted dark or milk chocolate instead. Some folks even enjoy peanut butter drizzle for a twist. Just melt gently to avoid burning.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh and chewy for up to a week. Avoid refrigeration as it can dry them out. Freezing is great for longer storage up to 3 months.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about homemade Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe that just can’t be beat. Every time I make these, the festive colors and melt-in-your-mouth texture remind me why simple joys are the best joys. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do—it’s honestly such a joy to pass on this little holiday magic to friends and family.
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Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Festive and easy-to-make Holiday Rice Krispie Treats featuring buttery marshmallow cereal bars with holiday M&M's, sprinkles, and a white chocolate drizzle, perfect for seasonal celebrations.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 16 ounces mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 cups rice krispies cereal
- 1¼ cup 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 it 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 the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the pure vanilla extract to infuse flavor into the melted mixture.
- Combine Cereal and Remaining Marshmallows: Add the 6 cups of rice krispies cereal and the remaining 1 cup of mini marshmallows to the melted mixture. Gently stir until everything is thoroughly combined without crushing the cereal.
- Add M&M's and Sprinkles: Fold in 1 cup of holiday M&M's and all ¼ cup of holiday sprinkles evenly to distribute festive bits throughout the mixture.
- Press into Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Using your fingertips, gently press the mixture evenly into the dish until fully spread out, being careful not to compact too tightly.
- Decorate and Drizzle: Drizzle the melted white chocolate melting wafers over the top. Then sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup of holiday M&M's and optionally add a pinch of extra sprinkles for added color and texture.
- Set and Serve: Allow the treats to set at room temperature for one hour to firm up before cutting into squares and serving.
Notes
- Use any holiday M&M’s variety you prefer; milk chocolate or peanut butter flavors work well, though peanut butter adds extra crunch.
- Ensure marshmallows and cereal are fresh to avoid stale treats.
- Jimmies sprinkles (small log-shaped) are preferred for a soft texture, but quins (flat circles or themed shapes) are a good alternative. Avoid nonpareils sprinkles for this recipe.
- You can swap the holiday candy and sprinkles for alternatives to suit different festive occasions.
- Store leftover treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freeze treats in an airtight container for up to three months for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approximately)
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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