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.

The image shows a close-up of two thick square treats, layered with light tan crispy cereal mixed with white marshmallow, topped with red and green candy-coated chocolates and red and green sprinkles. A white drizzle flows across the top of the treats in thin, uneven lines. The treats rest on brown parchment paper on a white marbled surface, with extra red and green candies scattered around. Below, a white bowl is filled with more red and green candy-coated chocolates, adding a festive touch. 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

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.

The image shows several square pieces of rice cereal treats arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each treat has a pale beige base made from puffed rice cereal held together by a sticky substance, with visible green and red candy-coated chocolates mixed inside. The top layer is decorated with a white drizzle and scattered whole red and green candy-coated chocolates. The treats have a textured, slightly rough surface and appear soft but firm. A white bowl filled with red and green candy-coated chocolates sits in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

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.

Flat lay of six tablespoons of salted butter in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl filled with mini white marshmallows, a small white ceramic bowl with pure vanilla extract, a large white ceramic bowl heaped with crispy rice cereal, a small white ceramic bowl holding colorful holiday M&M's in red, green, yellow, and orange, a small white ceramic bowl of red and green holiday sprinkles in the shape of jimmies, and a small white ceramic bowl containing melted creamy white chocolate wafers, all arranged in perfect symmetry with realistic proportions, 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 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.

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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

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

Holiday Rice Krispie Treats - Serving Suggestion

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:

Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini?

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.

What’s the best way to get clean squares when cutting?

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.

Can I substitute the white chocolate drizzle?

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.

How long do these treats stay fresh?

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.