Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

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This Christmas rice krispie treat recipe is an easy holiday treat made with just a few pantry staples. Made with Christmas sprinkles and red and green M&M candies to make them festive for the holiday season. These rice krispy treats come together in minutes making them perfect for a cookie exchange!โ€‹

christmas rice krispy treat squares topped with red and green m&ms


 

When it comes to a festive holiday treat, I don’t think there is anything better then this Christmas rice krispie treats recipe It’s an easy festive dessert perfect for your holiday dessert table. 

โ€‹And I’m a huge fan of serving rice krispie treats pretty much any time of year – like my strawberry rice krispie treats, peanut butter rice krispie treats, chocolate rice krispie treats, my brown butter rice krispie treats or my S’mores rice krispie treats!

For this holiday version, I stirred red and green M&M’s and holiday sprinkles into classic rice krispie treats making for an easy treat that has a whole lot of holiday spirit!

So spread a little holiday cheer and put a fun Christmas spin on classic rice krispie treats. โ€‹

See Also:

plate of christmas rice krispy treat squares

Perfect Holiday Treat

  • โ€‹Mixes up in minutes
  • No bake holiday treat
  • Easy for kids to make too!
  • Just a handful of ingredients
  • Perfect addition to Christmas cookie tray
  • So much fun for kids of all ages!
two christmas rice krispie treats stacked on a plate

Ingredients Needed

For the full recipe and instructions, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter so I can control the salt but you can swap with salted butter. Omit the salt if you’re using salted butter. Or try using vegan butter to make a vegan rice krispy treat.
  • ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 8 cups mini marshmallows – You can use large marshmallows, but they will just take longer to melt down. If making vegan, use vegan marshmallows (I like Dandies).
  • ยฝ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 8 cups rice krispies cereal 
  • 1 ยผ cups (1 cup + ยผ cup) red and green M&Mโ€™s, divided
  • 3 tablespoons (2 tablespoons + 1 tablespoons) Christmas nonpareils, divided
  • 3 tablespoons (2 tablespoons + 1 tablespoon) Christmas sprinkles, divided
christmas rice krispy treat squares ingredients

How To Make Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Squaresโ€‹

Line a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. I like to leave an overhang so I can easily lift out the squares. You can also spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large pot or saucepan, over medium low heat, melt butter and salt. 

Once melted, add mini marshmallows and with a wooden spoon or spatula stir until melted.  

Add vanilla extract and stir until combined. Be careful to not allow the mixture to burn in the bottom of the pot.

Once melted, remove from heat and slowly fold rice krispie cereal into the mixture. Fold gently so as not to crush the cereal. 

step by step photos of making cereal treat mixture

Fold in 1 cup of red and green M&Mโ€™s, 2 tablespoons of Christmas nonpareils, and 2 tablespoons of red and green sprinkles. 

Spread the rice krispie mixture into a parchment paper-lined 9 x 13-inch prepared baking dish. Gently press the mixture evenly into the pan.

Be careful not to smash or heavily press, as this will cause your treats to be chewy and tough. You can press the mixture in with your hands (I like to grease my hands with cooking spray first so they donโ€™tโ€™ stick.) or parchment paper, or wax paper.

Top with ยผ cup red and green M&Mโ€™s, 1 tablespoon of Christmas nonpareils, and 1 tablespoon of Christmas sprinkles. Allow 1 hour for the treats to set up before serving. Cut into 15 equals treats. 

photo collage making christmas cereal rice krispie treat

Recipe Tips

  • Press the mixture into the 9 x 13-inch baking dish using wax or parchment paper, or spray your hands with cooking spray and press down.
  • Melt the butter and marshmallows low and slow, continuously stirring while melting so it doesn’t burn on the bottom of the pot.
  • Don’t press down too much. If you press down too hard you will squash the rice krispies and they will come out hard.

Recipe Variations

  • Add green food coloring – To make them even festive, add a few drops of green food coloring to the melted marshmallow mixture.
  • Dip in white chocolate – After you cut into squares try dipping in melted white chocolate and adding on more sprinkles. You can also use green or red candy melts. Try drizzling melted chocolate over each rice krispy square.
  • Use a cookie cutter – Cut out Christmas trees with a cookie cutter and make a fun festive treat! You can add green food coloring to make them green! 
  • Use a different cereal mixture– Instead of rice krispy cereal try putting a fun spin on these yummy treats by using a different cereal like Cocoa Krispies (for the chocolate lovers) or Golden grahams
plate of christmas rice krispy treats

Recipe FAQs

How should I store these cereal bars?

Store these Christmas rice krispy squares in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. I like to layer mine with wax paper so they don’t stick to each other.ย 

Can I freeze these homemade rice krispie treats?

Yes you can freeze these cereal squares in an airtight container layered with wax paper for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Can I use a different pan?ย 

Yes you can use a smaller pan but your bars will be much thicker.

More Recipes To Try

christmas rice krispy treat squares topped with red and green m&ms

Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

This Christmas rice krispie treat recipe is an easy holiday treat made with just a few pantry staples. Made with Christmas sprinkles and red and green M&M candies to make them festive for the holiday season. These rice krispy treats come together in minutes making them perfect for a cookie exchange!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 268kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter
  • ยฝ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 8 cups mini marshmallows
  • ยฝ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 8 cups rice krispie cereal
  • 1 ยผ cups red and green M&Mโ€™s divided
  • 3 tablespoons Christmas nonpareils divided
  • 3 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles divided

Instructions

  • Line a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. I like to leave an overhang so I can easily lift out the squares. You can also spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a large pot, over medium low heat, melt butter and salt.
  • Once melted, add mini marshmallows and with a wooden spoon or spatula stir until melted.
  • Add vanilla extract and stir until combined. Be careful to not allow the mixture to burn in the bottom of the pot.
  • Once melted, remove from heat and slowly fold rice krispie cereal into the mixture. Fold gently so as not to crush the cereal.
  • Fold in 1 cup of red and green M&Mโ€™s, 2 tablespoons of Christmas nonpareils, and 2 tablespoons of red and green sprinkles.
  • Spread the rice krispie mixture into a parchment paper-lined 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Gently press the mixture evenly into the pan. Be careful not to smash or heavily press, as this will cause your treats to be chewy and tough. You can press the mixture in with your hands (I like to grease my hands with cooking spray first so they donโ€™tโ€™ stick.) or parchment paper, or wax paper.
  • Top with ยผ cup red and green M&Mโ€™s, 1 tablespoon of Christmas nonpareils, and 1 tablespoon of Christmas sprinkles. Allow 1 hour for the treats to set up before serving. Cut into 15 equals treats. Serve and ENJOY!

Notes

  • Storage: Store these Christmas rice krispy squares in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. I like to layer mine with wax paper so they don’t stick to each other.ย 
  • Freezing: Yes you can freeze these cereal squares in an airtight container layered with wax paper for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
  • Pan size: You can use a smaller pan but your bars will be much thicker.
  • Butter: If using salted butter, omit the added salt.
  • Press the mixture into the 9 x 13-inch baking dish using wax or parchment paper.
  • Melt the butter and marshmallows low and slow, continuously stirring while melting.

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 1099IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 5mg
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10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Great recipe. I am obsessed with Christmas, so I would have these all year round. Will be making them again with my nieces when they come to visit next weekend!

    1. Thank you so much! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe. Who says Christmas treats are only for the holidays? Have a fantastic time making them together! ๐ŸŽ„๐Ÿ˜Šโœจ

  2. Harriet Young says:

    5 stars
    Love these so much! They are so cute and festive. My daughter adored them.

    1. I’m so happy to hear that you and your daughter loved the Christmas Rice Krispie Treats! Making festive treats together is always so special. ๐ŸŽ„๐Ÿฌ

  3. 5 stars
    Can’t wait for the holidays to come around again ~ the minute I see those holiday M&Ms I’ll be making these!

    1. I can’t wait for the holidays, either! Those festive M&Ms definitely add that extra touch of holiday magic to these Rice Krispie Treats.๐ŸŽ„

  4. 5 stars
    The festive colors and gooey marshmallow goodness brought smiles to everyoneโ€™s faces. These treats are as fun to make as they are to eat, making them perfect for holiday gatherings.

    1. I’m thrilled to hear that the Christmas Rice Krispie Treats were a hit! Bringing smiles and joy is what holiday treats are all about, thank you!๐ŸŽ„๐ŸŽ…๐Ÿฌโœจ

  5. 5 stars
    This recipe is so pretty and delicious, I am saving this for Christmas

    1. Wonderful, thank you!

5 from 5 votes

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