These Christmas Rice Krispie Treats are soft, chewy, and so much fun to make! I use plenty of marshmallows so the mixture spreads easily and stays tender, which makes shaping them into Christmas trees or wreaths really simple.
There always seems to be a last-minute holiday party or class event, and you need something cute you can make without turning the kitchen upside down. These no-bake Christmas tree treats are my go-to! They're naturally nut-free, which makes them great for school, and I honestly haven't met a kid who doesn't love them.
Note from Erin
Growing up, we made Rice Krispie Treats every Christmas! We shaped them into wreaths and pressed red hots in for the holly berries. It was messy and silly and still one of my favorite holiday memories.
Now that I make them with my own kids, I’ve learned a few simple tricks that keep the process smooth without losing any of the fun.
If you want a few more no-bake holiday treats, Oreo Truffles and edible Cookie Dough bites are also easy to make ahead, and look great on a tray with these cute Rice Krispie Treats.
Ingredient Insights
Crispy Rice Cereal: If your cereal has been open for more than a couple of weeks, grab a new box. Older cereal loses its crunch, and the trees end up a little soggy.
Miniature Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows melt faster, giving you a smoother mixture. When I tested this with full-size marshmallows, the cereal clumped together.
How to Make the Best Holiday Rice Krispie Treats
- Melt Marshmallows and Butter: Use the largest microwave-safe bowl you have. The marshmallow mixture expands as it heats, and a smaller bowl makes it harder to stir in the cereal without spilling.
- Stir in Food Coloring: Gel food coloring gives you the brightest green, but I used liquid coloring because that's what I had, and it still worked pretty well.
- Stir in the Cereal: Spray your spatula with nonstick cooking spray to help keep the marshmallows from sticking.
- Lightly Press into Pan: Aim for a layer that's about ¾ inch thick. It's thick enough for the trees to hold their shape, but still thin enough that the cutter presses through without breaking them.
- Cut into Trees: Chill the pan so that the trees hold their shape when cut, then press the cookie cutter straight down without twisting. Twisting is what smears the edges and breaks the trees.
- Or Shape into Wreaths: The mixture stays workable for several minutes, but if you find it cools to much, making it difficult to shape the wreaths, warm it again for 5-10 seconds.
Top Tip!
Pull the marshmallows from the heat once they are mostly melted and look glossy. Overheating is the number one reason Rice Krispie Treats turn stiff instead of staying soft and chewy, and letting the residual heat finish the melting makes all the difference.
Festive Holiday Variations
- Chocolate-Dipped Trees: Dip the bottom of each tree into melted white or milk chocolate and let the excess drip off. This gives the treats such a pretty base!
- M&Ms: Use holiday mini M&Ms instead of sprinkles for the ornament decoration.
- Peppermint Crunch: Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the trees while the mixture is still slightly warm so the pieces stick.
- Grinch Treats: Cut the pan into squares or use a heart-shaped cutter. Press a red heart candy in the center once the treats set. It’s simple and adorable for school parties.
Recipe
Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
Recipe by:Ingredients
- 6 cups (300 grams) miniature marshmallows
- ¼ cup (57 grams) salted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 6 cups (168 grams) Rice Krispies cereal
- 10-12 drops green food coloring
- red hots or holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare a 9"x13" pan by lining it with a sheet of parchment paper that overhangs on the sides. Spray the parchment with nonstick spray.
- Place butter in a large microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds to partially melt. Swirl the butter around the bowl to coat the sides, then add marshmallows. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time, until the marshmallows are glossy and almost completely melted.¼ cup salted butter, 6 cups miniature marshmallows
- Stir in the vanilla and the food coloring until the color is uniform with no streaks. If you want a darker green, add more food coloring. Add the cereal and stir quickly until the cereal is completely coated with the marshmallow mixture.½ teaspoon vanilla, 10-12 drops green food coloring
- (See recipe notes if you are making wreaths, as they don't go into a pan.)Pour the cereal mixture into the 9x13 pan and use a spoon sprayed with nonstick spray to press it into an even layer. Press just enough to smooth it out, but avoid packing it tightly or the treats will end up firm. Top with sprinkles, then refrigerate for 30 minutes.6 cups Rice Krispies cereal, red hots or holiday sprinkles
- Remove from the refrigerator and lift the overhanging edges of the parchment to remove from treats from the pan and place on a cutting board.
- Spray your cookie cutter with nonstick spray, then press it firmly into the Rice Krispies bars, starting at the edges first, so you get the cleanest shapes. Remove the shape and transfer to a serving tray. Repeat until all of the bars are cut. Press the remaining scraps together to cut more trees.
Notes
Melt the butter and marshmallows over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Once the mixture looks glossy and almost smooth, turn off the heat. Stir in the vanilla and food coloring, then fold in the cereal. Food Coloring:
Gel coloring gives you the most vivid green color. Liquid coloring works as well, but won't be as vibrant. Wreaths:
Butter your hands lightly so the mixture doesn't stick. Shape ¼ cup portions into rings, then press in the red hots once the wreaths are formed. Make-Ahead Tips:
If you make the treats ahead and refrigerate them for more than 30 minutes, let the pan sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before cutting. They need to be slightly chilled to hold their shape, but not so cold that the cutter cracks them. Storage:
Store the trees or wreaths in an airtight container for 3 days. If you need to stack them, place a sheet of waxed paper between the layers. If they start to feel firm, add a slice of bread to the container overnight to restore their softness.
Nutrition
The nutritional facts provided are only estimates. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
More Christmas Treat Recipes
If you're planning your holiday dessert table, here are a few more easy treats we love to make this time of year.
Comments
No Comments