Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
If you’re looking for a fun, festive, and utterly delicious treat to brighten up your Easter celebrations, you’re in the right place. This Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is one of my absolute favorites—it’s a colorful twist on the classic that never fails to bring smiles. Ready to learn how to make these perfectly gooey, crispy, and candy-packed delights? Let’s jump right in!
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Marshmallow Ratio: Using 10 cups of mini marshmallows, split cleverly, gives just the right gooey texture without being overly sticky.
- Mix of Cereals: Combining Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios adds sweetness, crunch, and variety in texture that’s simply irresistible.
- Festive Fun with Candy: The Easter M&Ms and sprinkles brighten the treats with pops of color and bursts of candy goodness that make this recipe perfect for the holiday.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe plays its part to create that perfect blend of crispness, chewiness, and festive flair. Here’s why these specific ingredients come together so well, plus a few tips for shopping smart.
- Salted butter: Adds richness and balances the sweetness; I’ve found salted works best but you can use unsalted with a pinch of salt.
- Mini marshmallows: Essential for that irresistibly gooey binding texture – the mini size melts evenly without clumps.
- Vanilla extract: Just a splash lifts the flavor beyond just sugary sweetness to something warm and inviting.
- Rice Krispies cereal: The base crispy crunch that so many of us grew up loving.
- Rice Chex cereal: Adds variety in texture and an extra light crispness that pairs beautifully with Rice Krispies.
- Frosted Cheerios: A touch of sweetness and a lovely cereal flavor contrast that elevates the whole batch.
- Easter M&Ms: You want to add these late to keep colors from bleeding and to have those candy bursts go fresh and vibrant.
- Easter sprinkles: Tiny festive touches that make these treats feel extra special and holiday-ready.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love most about this Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. You can swap cereals, add mix-ins, or adjust the candy to suit your family’s favorites. Here’s some of my go-to twists to keep things fresh and fun in the kitchen.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap Rice Chex for Corn Chex or try different Cheerios varieties. Just avoid wheat-based ones, which get too heavy.
- Dietary Mods: You can try gluten-free cereals for sensitive diets—just make sure your marshmallows are gluten-free, too.
- Extra Color: Adding pastel-colored sprinkles alongside the Easter M&Ms really amps up the festive look for parties and school events.
- Crunch Factor: Tossing in chopped nuts or shredded coconut can add some interesting texture, but I keep it simple for kid-friendly crowds.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prep Everything First—Trust Me, It Helps!
Before you touch the stove, line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and spray it lightly with non-stick spray—this makes cleanup a breeze and helps the treats release easily later. Measure out all ingredients so you’re not scrambling mid-cook. It sounds basic, but having everything ready makes the process smooth and fun instead of stressful.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows to Gooey Perfection
In a large saucepan, melt the ½ cup salted butter over low heat. Once melted, add 8 cups of the mini marshmallows and stir gently but constantly until everything is smooth and shiny. Keep the heat low to avoid scorching—marshmallows can turn stringy or clumpy if overheated. When smooth, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Mix in Your Cereals and Remaining Marshmallows
Next, add the remaining 2 cups of marshmallows along with the Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios. Stir quickly to coat everything evenly in that luscious marshmallow butter sauce. The key here is to move fast—marshmallows harden as they cool, and you want every bite perfectly sticky and crispy.
Step 4: Fold in the M&Ms and Sprinkles Last
As soon as your cereals are coated, gently fold in the Easter M&Ms and sprinkles. Adding them later keeps the M&M colors from bleeding into your mixture and preserves their candy shell’s crunch. Then quickly transfer the entire mixture into your prepared pan.
Step 5: Press Gently & Let Set
Use parchment paper or lightly greased hands to press the mixture evenly in the pan, but be gentle—pressing too hard makes the treats tough instead of tender. Top with extra M&Ms and sprinkles if you want an extra festive look. Let the treats cool and set for about 30 minutes before slicing into squares.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Keep the Heat Low: Melting butter and marshmallows on low heat prevents burning and ensures silky smooth marshmallow mixture.
- Add Candy Last: Waiting to stir in your M&Ms keeps their colors vibrant and their texture intact.
- Press Lightly: Don’t pack the cereal mixture down too hard—gentle pressing keeps treats fluffy and soft.
- Prevent Sticky Hands: Use greased hands or parchment paper to press—this keeps things neat and stops the marshmallow from sticking to your skin.
How to Serve Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I like to top mine with extra Easter-themed sprinkles and a few more M&Ms scattered on top—it makes the treats look like little Easter baskets of fun. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of white or pastel-colored chocolate adds a wow-factor when serving guests. Kids especially adore the sparkle and color.
Side Dishes
These treats are a sweet sidekick at any Easter brunch or party, so pairing them with fresh fruit, carrot sticks dipped in honey yogurt, or simple vanilla cupcakes makes for a balanced table. For a snack tray, add some salty pretzels or popcorn for contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For Easter, I’ve even shaped the mixture with cookie cutters into eggs, bunnies, or chicks before setting—they’re so cute and perfect for kids’ plates or gifting. Wrapping squares in colorful cellophane tied with pastel ribbons also makes adorable party favors or basket fillers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, you can store these Easter Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. I usually layer parchment paper between the layers if stacking to keep them from sticking together. They stay soft and fresh, no fridge needed!
Freezing
Freezing works well if you want to make a batch ahead. Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature for about an hour—perfect when you want a last-minute treat ready to go.
Reheating
Usually, I don’t reheat these because they’re so good eaten cold or room temp. But if you want that fresh-melted marshmallow softness, pop a piece in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Just be careful not to overdo it or the candy shell might soften too much.
FAQs
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Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows for Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe?
Yes, you can use regular marshmallows, but mini marshmallows melt more evenly and quickly, giving you a smoother, less clumpy mixture. If you only have regular-sized, chop them smaller for best results.
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How do I prevent the M&M colors from bleeding into the treat?
Add the Easter M&Ms at the very end, folding them in gently when the marshmallow mixture has cooled just a bit. Avoid stirring too aggressively to keep the candy shells intact.
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Can I make these treats dairy-free?
Substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, and double-check the marshmallows as some brands contain gelatin derived from animals, which some avoid. There are vegan marshmallow options available that work well too.
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What if I press the mixture too hard into the pan? Will it affect the texture?
Yes, pressing too hard compresses the mixture and can make your treats dense and tough rather than light and chewy. Use gentle, even pressure when pressing the mixture into the pan.
Final Thoughts
This Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is a delightful blend of nostalgia and festive fun that I love making year after year. It’s simple enough for anyone to nail, and sharing it with friends and family always brings so much joy. I hope you find yourself smiling as much as I do when you bite into one of these colorful squares! Seriously, pull out your mixing bowl and get ready to create some holiday magic that everyone will adore.
Print
Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful Easter Rice Krispie Treats combine classic marshmallow goodness with colorful cereals and festive Easter candies for a fun and tasty holiday snack perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- 10 cups mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cereal Mix
- 5 cups Rice Krispies
- 2 cups Rice Chex
- 2 cups Frosted Cheerios
Toppings
- 1 cup Easter M&Ms
- 2 teaspoons Easter sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare workspace: Premeasure all ingredients before you begin cooking. Line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper and coat it with non-stick spray; set aside.
- Melt marshmallows and butter: In a large saucepan, melt the butter, salt, and 8 cups of marshmallows together over low heat until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Add vanilla and remaining marshmallows: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Then add the remaining 2 cups of marshmallows and stir until fully melted and smooth again.
- Combine cereals: Stir in the Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios until all cereals are evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Fold in candies and sprinkles: Gently and quickly fold in the Easter M&Ms and Easter sprinkles to avoid color bleeding or crushing the candies.
- Press mixture into pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with extra M&Ms and sprinkles if desired. Use parchment paper or greased hands to gently press the mixture evenly into the pan without pressing too hard.
- Set and cut: Allow the treats to set at room temperature for 30 minutes before removing from the pan and cutting into 20 squares.
Notes
- Unsalted butter can be used if you add about ½ teaspoon of salt to replace the salted butter flavor.
- Corn Chex can be substituted for Rice Chex, but avoid wheat Chex to maintain texture and taste.
- You can experiment with other Cheerios varieties as preferred.
- Add the M&Ms at the end to prevent color bleeding throughout the mixture.
- Do not press too firmly on the mixture, as it may make the treats tough and hard.
- Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
