Home » Blog » Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Chocolate, candy canes and marshmallows combine to create a delicious Christmas rice krispie treat that is sure to be a hit this holiday season! They will make a delicious addition to your dessert table!

a round brown rice krispie treat with candy canes sprinkled and a chocolate drizzle

We had so much fun making Halloween Rice Krispie treats this year that we had to make for one Christmas too! These chocolate Christmas rice krispie treats did not disappoint.

These would look amazing next to our Hot Chocolate Spoons, Chocolate Pretzel Bites With Peanut Butter or Dairy Free Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

RELATED ARTICLE: Chocolate Pretzel Bites With Peanut Butter

Fast and Easy Rice Krispie Treat Recipe

Christmas Rice Krispie treats have minimal prep time and only take about 10 minutes to make. You can even customize them to any theme or genre. They have been around so long that they are often overlooked, but add your own twist and make them cool again!

two circle rice krispies on a white plate with a green napkin in the background and a black cooling rack

Here are some ideas on how you can make them your own:

  • Christmas Sprinkles – Top your Christmas rice krispie treats with your favorite Christmas sprinkles! The only ones that I would avoid are the small round ones. I had trouble with getting them to stay on the rice krispie treats and they rolled off all over the floor! At least the dog was happy.
  • Mini Marshmallows – Add some mini marshmallows to the top of the rice krispie treats. You could also add some nuts and chocolate chunks and make a Rocky Road flavor!
  • Red or Green Food Coloring – I like to use India Tree natural food coloring, but use your favorite.
  • Different Cereals – Try using different types of cereal. Just keep in mind that the sweetened cereal will make for a very sweet rice krispie treat!
  • Cookie Cutter – These Christmas rice krispie treats would be really cute as Christmas trees or reindeer too!

What you need to make Christmas Rice Krispie treats

Even though Christmas rice krispie treats are very easy to make, I wanted to talk about the ingredients because there were a few issues when I was shopping this weekend.

top view of a bowl of rice krispies, a bowl of cocoa powder and marshmallows
  • Crispy Rice Cereal – The grocery store shelves were bare! They were out of rice krispies cereal and there were only 3 boxes of a generic puffed rice cereal on the shelf, so I went with that. It was cheaper and it worked out just fine. If you are really in a pinch, grab a different cereal to substitute.
  • Marshmallows – Again, these were almost sold out but there was a display in the baking section. Look around the store if the shelves are sold out. It seems they sprinkle them around the baking section. I like mini marshmallows for rice krispie treats but they were sold out. The regular ones still work, they just require a little more patience as they melt.
  • Salted Butter – I use dairy free butter (I like Miyokos) but feel free to use a butter of your choice. We want salted and not unsalted.
  • Cocoa Powder – The cocoa powder adds the chocolate flavor. Cocoa powder is bitter but there is enough sugar in the marshmallows so it isn’t necessary to add any additional sugar.
  • Crushed Candy Canes – Of course, Christmas rice krispie treats need candy canes! If you are up for it, you can crush your own candy canes. I have tried it before and it makes a sticky mess. The candy canes are hard to sprinkle because they stick to each other. I prefer pre-crushed candy canes.
  • Chocolate Chips – These will be melted and drizzled over the top but it is completely optional.

RELATED ARTICLE: Your Guide To The Best Dairy Free Butter

How to make Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

top view of melted butter in a large pot
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium low heat.
top view of melted marshmallows in a pot and a wooden spoon holding some of it.
Add the marshmallows stirring frequently to keep the marshmallows from burning.

top view of a pot of marshmallows with chocolate mixed in
Once the marshmallows are completely melted, turn off the heat and stir in the cocoa powder mixing well.

top view of a pot with brown melted marshmallows and rice krispies
Add the rice krispie cereal to the marshmallow mixture and stir until evenly coated.

top view of a pan with the rice krispie pressed in and sprinkled with crushed candy canes
Gently press the rice krispie treat mixture into a pan that is greased with butter or non stick cooking spray. Use plastic wrap , parchment paper or wax paper to press it in to the pan in an even layer.

top view of circle rice krispie treats on a black cooling rack
Sprinkle the candy canes over the top of the rice krispie treats then use a cookie cutter to cut out your shaped. I used an Easter egg shape and molded it into a round ornament. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and let cool slightly. Then drizzle the chocolate over the top of the Christmas Rice Krispie treats!

Important Teaching Tips

  • Melting Marshmallows – Melt the marshmallows over medium low heat. You will be tempted to make it hotter, but don’t go hotter than medium heat or the marshmallows may burn. Heating them over high heat also results in hard rice krispie treats. So be patient!
  • Melting the Chocolate Chips – The trick to melting the chocolate chips in the microwave is to only melt them until they are half melted. Then stir them and let the heat melt them the rest of the way. Put them in a mirowave safe bowl and place in the microwave for 30 seconds then stir. Microwave for another 10 seconds and stir. If the chocolate chips start to melt, continue stirring until smooth.
  • Cookie Cutters – I used a large round cookie cutter and was able to get about 7 treats the first time. One you cut as many as you can, gently push the remaining rice krispie treat pieces together and cut out more.
  • Sweetness – These Christmas rice krispie treats are very sweet. I made large pieces and the kids loved it but next time I will use a smaller cookie cutter. If you love sweet things, this probably won’t be an issue!
top view of a white round plate with two round rice krispie treats on it and a cooling sheet with more rice krispie treats

Frequently Asked Questions About Rice Krispie Treats

Why are my homemade rice krispie treats so hard?

Hard rice krispie treats are usually the result of one of two things – melting the marshmallow over too high of a heat, or pressing the rice krispies in to the prepared pan too hard. Be gentle when pressing them into the pan. Remember that they will harden as they cool, so they don’t need to be packed in.

Can rice krispie treats be made ahead of time?

They sure can. I think they taste best the same day, but you can make these Christmas rice krispie treats a day ahead of time. I wouldn’t recommend making them earlier than the day before. You can store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

Why are my rice krispie treats so sticky?

Keep in mind that rice krispie treats are naturally sticky, but if you find that they are so sticky you can’t work with them, you may need to add more rice krispie cereal. If your melted marshmallow mixture is still warm, add a little more cereal until you are happy with the consistency. Remember that they should be sticky.

Can you freeze rice krispie treats?

This recipe does not freeze well. I would not recommend freezing these!

More Dairy Free Dessert Recipes You Might Enjoy:

a round brown rice krispie treat with candy canes sprinkled and a chocolate drizzle

Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

Yield: 12 Servings
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Chocolate, candy canes and marshmallows combine to create a delicious
    Christmas rice krispie treat that is sure to be a hit this holiday
    season! They will make a delicious addition to your dessert table!
  • Ingredients

    • 6 Cups Rice Krispies Cereal
    • 1 12oz bag Marshmallows
    • 6 Tablespoons Butter, Dairy Free
    • 1/4 teaspoon Cocoa Powder
    • 2 Tablespoons of Crushed Candy Canes
    • 1/4 cup Chocolate Chips, Dairy Free

    Instructions

    1. Grease a 9x13 baking pan with butter or non stick cooking spray and set aside
    2. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium low heat.
    3. Add the marshmallows to the butter and stir frequently to keep it from burning.
    4. Once the marshmallows are melted, mix in the cocoa powder until fully incorproated.
    5. Add the the rice krispie cereal and stir until it is evenly coated.
    6. Pour the rice krispie mixture into the greased pan and use waxed paper, parchment paper or plastic wrap to gently press down the rice krispie mixture.
    7. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the rice krispie treats
    8. Use a cookie cutter to cut the rice krispies into shapes
    9. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave for 30 seconds then stir. Continue microwaving in 10 second intervals until melted
    10. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the rice krispie treats
    11. Serve and enjoy!
    Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 221Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 143mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 0gSugar: 21gProtein: 2g

    Nutritional information was calculated automatically. Please verify accuracy

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

    By on December 7th, 2021

    About NaturalDeets

    More posts by this author.

    7 thoughts on “Christmas Rice Krispie Treats”

    1. 5 stars
      Love these christmas themed rice krispie treats! I’ve been looking for one to make for the holidays and just love how simple but delicious these are!

      Reply
    2. 5 stars
      I just made Rice Krispie squares for the first time last month – and so I just HAD to give these a try! They did not disappoint, so chocolate and delicious.

      Reply
    3. 5 stars
      These were so easy, adorable, and everyone loved them (especially my 5-year-old niece)! I already have requests to make them again, which I definitely will. Thank you for the recipe!

      Reply

    Leave a Comment

    Skip to Recipe
    Fun Christmas Rice Krispie Treats