Christmas Rice Krispie treats are always a favorite of mine because they have the perfect balance of sweetness and a crunchy, gooey texture. And if you have kids, this is one treat you can have them help with that they’ll truly enjoy.
But they do get messy and leave your hands sticky, which kids will also love.
I have 21 recipes that little ones can help you with this Christmas that taste great.
21 Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Kids Can Help Make
Sugar Cookie Rice Krispie Treats
How do you make traditional Rice Krispie treats even sweeter? Add sugar cookie mix to it. Otherwise, the recipe is a simple one that requires a large pot, a stirring spoon and a baking dish.
Place the following ingredients in a large pot:
- Butter
- Marshmallows
Mix until the ingredients combine well, then add in your sugar cookie mix, Rice Krispies and more marshmallows and continue combining. Add in your Christmas sprinkles and then stir before layering into your baking dish.
Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats
Fun and easy to make, Christmas tree Rice Krispie treats are always tasty, and the one main difference with this option versus others is that you add Fruity Pebbles into the mixture. You’ll follow a similar recipe to the above, but you’ll let the mixture cool in a circular pan.
Cut the Rice Krispie up like you would a pizza and then stick a lollipop stick into the bottom so that you have little trees on a stick to serve.
Gingerbread Treats
Christmas Rice Krispie treats can also be gingerbread-inspired. You’ll mix butter and marshmallows together in a pot, then add in some ginger spice and mix well before putting the Rice Krispies into the batter.
Cool in gingerbread molds before decorating with white chocolate.
Rudolph Christmas Treats
Decorations make this recipe, which follows a standard butter, Rice Krispies and marshmallow base. What’s different about this recipe from other ones is that you’ll make a Rudolph decoration on them with:
- Candied eyes
- Red M&Ms
- Melted chocolate (antlers)
Stick a wooden popsicle stick into the middle of the squares and allow them to cool. This is a fun recipe for kids to help you with, especially if they’re fans of Santa and his reindeer.
Related: 21 Savory Pie Recipes to Make This Season That Beat Pumpkin
Santa Treats
How cute is this Santa version of Rice Krispie treats? You’ll make these little Santas with your regular cereal, butter, marshmallows and vanilla extract. But you’ll use melted white chocolate for the base, where the following attach:
- Coconut shreds
- Red sugar sprinkles
Candy eyes and a red M&M are also used to make the face.
Basic Sprinkles Recipe
Place butter and marshmallows in a large cooking pot and heat until the two combine together. Be sure to mix the ingredients together well before adding in your Rice Krispies and mixing well.
Once combined well, layer into your baking dish and sprinkle Christmas sprinkles on top of the treats.
Gingerbread Men with Chocolate Legs
Gingerbread treats make the list a few times, and you’ll need gingerbread molds for this one, too. Create your base treats and then fit them in the molds until they cool. Using chocolate melting wafers, melt some dark chocolate and then do the following:
- Dip the legs of the men into the chocolate
- Allow to cool
- Use white chocolate to make stripes on the gingerbread men
- Add green and red sprinkles to make the tie
- Add small candy eyes
Be sure to push the eyes and sprinkles into the treats so that they stay firmly in place.
White Chocolate Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats
Add a little peppermint to your treats this holiday season. You’ll make these delightful Rice Krispies with the following ingredients:
- Butter
- Marshmallows
- White chocolate
- Crushed peppermints
You’ll chop the white chocolate and peppermint into two different bowls for this recipe, melt your butter, then add your marshmallows into the pot and combine until you have a whipped consistency.
Melt the marshmallows together and then add your white chocolate and be sure it melts completely.
Add in your peppermints and cereal, stir well and then add to the baking dish until it cools. Cut and serve.
Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats
Christmas Rice Krispie treats featuring reindeer are always a big hit with kids. You’ll start with melted butter and marshmallows like normal, then add in your cereal and vanilla, if you’re using any.
Combine well and be sure to stir often so that the consistency is smooth.
Separately, you’ll melt chocolate wafers and place sprinkles in another bowl. Melt the chocolate, dip pretzels into it and then dip in the sprinkles. Allow to cool and use them for the antlers. Add candy eyes and M&Ms for the nose.
Christmas Mayhem
Another fun option for Christmas is this dessert, made like many of the others on the list with butter, marshmallows and Rice Krispies cereal. But you’ll add a twist to this with Christmas Fruity Pebbles.
Adding a pop of red and green completes these Rice Krispies treats.
Rice Krispies with M&Ms and Sprinkles
Rice Krispies with M&Ms and sprinkles on top look festive and taste delicious. You can make these like you would any other variety, but you’ll add in red and green M&Ms and sprinkle some matching sprinkles on top.
I do recommend that you allow the marshmallow and Rice Krispies treats to cool somewhat so that you can mix in the M&Ms without them melting.
Peppermint Chocolate
I love the addition of the marshmallow snowmen on toothpicks that the author of this recipe adds. You’ll make these Rice Krispies slightly differently with:
- Rice Krispie cereal
- Mini marshmallows
- Unsalted butter
- Peppermint extract
- Crushed peppermint
- Dark chocolate chips
- Sea salt
You’ll add the chocolate chips after you stir in the Rice Krispie cereal. While cooling in the baking dish, top with crushed candy canes and allow them to cool. For the finishing touch, be sure to recreate the snowmen on a toothpick.
Santa Hat Rice Krispie Treats
Kids will appreciate this recipe because it follows the traditional Rice Krispie variety, but you’ll make an adorable Santa hat in the process. Once you have your treats made, you’ll use white chocolate wafers to make red and white “frosting” that you use to make the hat.
Add a marshmallow at the tip to complete the look.
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Green Christmas Trees
Pretzel rods act as a stick for the person to use when holding these trees. You’ll make these like you would any other Rice Krispie treats, but you’ll add green dye into the mix. Place to cool in a circular pan and then cut into mini pizza slices.
Add sprinkles and white chocolate drizzle on top.
Santa Hat Treats
These Christmas Rice Krispie treats are almost too pretty to eat. Start by making your Rice Krispie treats following the traditional recipe.
Meanwhile, melt white chocolate wafers in the microwave or on the stovetop. Divide the mixture into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl. Then, dip the corner of a Rice Krispie bar into the white chocolate first, and let it sit until firm. Then dip in the red chocolate.
Top with sprinkles and let it set again before serving.
Rice Krispie Treat Wreaths
Here’s a fun recipe that you can make with the kids. You’ll need green food coloring, holly leaf candies and the usual Rice Krispie treat ingredients.
Instead of cutting your treats into bars, you’ll make wreath shapes. First, form large balls with your Rice Krispie dough. Then, use your finger to make a hole in the center.
Christmas Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats
This recipe takes the classic Rice Krispie treat recipe and tops it with melted white chocolate and crushed peppermint candy.
While this recipe calls for white chocolate, you could use regular milk chocolate if you prefer. Both pair well with the peppermint and the Rice Krispie treats.
Super Easy Christmas Rice Krispie
This is one of the easiest recipes for Christmas Rice Krispie treats on this list. You need just a few ingredients: white chocolate almond bark, store-bought Rice Krispie treats, royal icing decorations and sprinkles.
Dip half your Rice Krispie bar in melted white chocolate and finish with sprinkles and your royal icing decorations. Make sure you place the royal icing decorations in the melted chocolate side of the bar so that it sticks.
Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings
These Christmas puddings are adorable, delicious and fun for kids to make. To make them, heat chocolate, butter and mini marshmallows in a pot. Then pour the mixture over your Rice Krispie cereal.
Divide into equal amounts and roll each into a ball. Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the holly and berry decorations with white chocolate, sugarpaste and food coloring. You can use a holly leaf cutter for the leaves.
Related: 25 Savory Puff Pastry Recipes You Have to Try This Season
Chocolate Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats
These treats add festive flavor, thanks to the crushed peppermint. You’ll follow the usual recipe for Rice Krispie treats, but then you’ll melt chocolate in the microwave or in a saucepan with coconut oil.
Dip one half of a Rice Krispie treat bar (once set) into the melted chocolate. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or candy canes on top and refrigerate to set the chocolate.
Gingerbread Rice Krispie Treats
These treats are fun for kids to make because they can get creative with their decorations. You’ll need a circle cutter to make the face shape, along with jumbo confetti sprinkles for the cheeks and candy eyes.
The Rice Krispie treat recipe is basic, but this author adds molasses and spices to create the gingerbread flavor.
