Christmas Rice Crispy Treats

Written by
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher is a journalist and food writer who has authored multiple cookbooks.
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Stephanie Gallagher
Updated 10/01/19
Christmas rice crispy treats recipe

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
  • Total: 20 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 5 mins
  • Servings: 12 to 14 servings

It is always fun to serve festive desserts at Christmas, but often the most decorative treats take a lot of time to make (think of all of the hours it takes to ice and decorate sugar cookies!). These Christmas rice crispy treats look impressive, but they are super simple to put together. Just form the rice crispy treats into triangles, insert a candy cane to make the Christmas tree trunk, and decorate. Kids really enjoy making these holiday rice crispy treats, and, unlike cookies, they don't have to be rolled, baked, or cooled very long before the kids can eat them.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 10 ounces marshmallows (or 4 cups miniature marshmallows)
  • 6 cups crispy rice cereal
  • 12 to 14 candy canes
  • Decorations: Red and green gel icing, M&Ms, and colored sugar

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for rice crispy treats
    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper.

    Line a baking sheet
    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Melt the butter and the marshmallows in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the marshmallows melt completely.

    Melt the butter and marshmallow
    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Immediately stir in the crispy rice cereal. Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, so that the rice crispy treats are about 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick.

    Stir in rice crispies
    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Spray a sharp knife generously with cooking spray. Use it to cut the rice crispy treats into large triangles.

    Cut with sharp knife
    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck 

  6. Break or cut the candy canes into 3-inch pieces. Insert a candy cane into the bottom of each rice crispy treat triangle to form the trunk of the Christmas tree.

    Break candy canes
    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

  7. Let the rice crispy treats cool completely before decorating with icing, candies, and colored sugar.​

    Decorate
    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck