Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
If you’re looking for a sweet, crunchy treat that screams spring and fun, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe takes the classic childhood favorite up a colorful, festive notch perfect for gatherings, potlucks, or just anytime you want a quick and happy snack. I love how easy it is to make, and trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to bring them back every Easter (and honestly, all year round!). So let me walk you through a recipe that’s simple, tasty, and totally crowd-pleasing.
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Sweetness: Marshmallows and Easter M&Ms add just the right pop of sweetness without overwhelming the cereal flavors.
- Crunchy Texture Mix: Using Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios creates a delightful mix of textures and subtle flavors.
- Festive Flair: Easter sprinkles and candies bring vibrant color and holiday cheer, making these perfect for sharing.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under an hour with minimal ingredients and no baking, it’s ideal for last-minute celebrations.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The combination of marshmallows, butter, and a mix of cereals creates a perfectly chewy, crispy base that warms your soul. Plus, Easter M&Ms and sprinkles add texture and that pop of festive excitement you want for a holiday treat. Here’s why each ingredient shines:
- Salted butter: Adds richness and helps melt marshmallows evenly; keeps the treat moist.
- Mini marshmallows: The glue that holds everything together with a gooey, chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Gives a warm, aromatic depth to elevate the sweetness subtly.
- Rice Krispies: The classic crunchy base that gives a light texture.
- Rice Chex: Adds a slightly different crunch and shape for textural interest.
- Frosted Cheerios: Gives a tiny hint of extra sweetness and a cute round shape.
- Easter M&Ms: The colorful, candy-coated chocolate that brings festive fun without melting too early.
- Easter sprinkles: Tiny bursts of color and texture to make the treats visually irresistible.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love that this Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is super customizable—you can play around with the cereals and candy mix-ins to find what you and your family like best. It’s a great base that encourages creativity.
- Variation: Once, I swapped Frosted Cheerios for Cocoa Pebbles for a chocolate twist, and it was a hit at the family brunch.
- Dietary tweaks: Use gluten-free Rice Chex and Cheerios to make this recipe allergy-friendly while keeping the same great taste.
- Add-ins: I sometimes sprinkle in mini chocolate chips or chopped walnuts for extra texture and flavor.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prep Like a Pro
Before turning on the stove, I always premeasure all ingredients—it saves so much stress! Then I line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat it with non-stick spray. This step makes it much easier to transfer and cut your treats later without them sticking to the pan.
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, add 8 cups of the mini marshmallows and stir constantly until everything is smooth and gooey. Keep the heat low—rushing this step can scorch your marshmallows or butter. Patience here pays off in a silky, even base.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Mix-In Basics
Immediately remove your pan from heat, stir in the vanilla extract—it brightens the whole mixture beautifully. Then fold in the remaining 2 cups of marshmallows along with your cereal blend (Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios). Make sure every bit gets coated for perfect chewiness and crunch in each bite.
Step 4: Add Easter Magic
Quickly but gently fold in your Easter M&Ms and sprinkles. Don’t add these in too early or the colors might bleed and ruin the festive look! When everything looks evenly mixed, transfer the mixture to the prepared pan.
Step 5: Press, Cool, and Cut
Use parchment paper or greased hands to gently press the mixture into an even layer—be careful not to press too hard, or the treats will turn tough instead of tender and chewy. Top with extra M&Ms and sprinkles if you want to show off a little extra flair. Let the pan sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes until your treats are set enough to cut into perfect squares.
Pro Tips for Making Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Heat Control: Keep your heat on low when melting butter and marshmallows to avoid burning or grainy texture.
- Timing for Candy: Always add your Easter M&Ms last to prevent the colors from bleeding.
- Gentle Pressing: Use parchment or lightly greased hands to press in the mixture with a soft touch to keep treats tender.
- Storing Smart: Store treats in airtight containers to maintain freshness up to two weeks—my secret to keeping them tasting homemade always!
How to Serve Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I like to top these treats with a little extra Easter sprinkles and M&Ms before setting, just to make them extra eye-catching—perfect for kids and adults alike. Sometimes I’ll even drizzle a bit of melted white chocolate on top if I’m feeling fancy, and it adds a lovely sweet finish.
Side Dishes
These treats pair wonderfully with fresh spring fruit platters or a light lemonade for a picnic or Easter brunch. They’re sweet enough to stand on their own but go great with something bright and fresh to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, I’ve served these in cute individual mini cupcake liners shaped like Easter eggs or wrapped them in clear cellophane with pastel ribbons—instant party favors that everyone loved. You can also cut them with a cookie cutter into bunny or egg shapes for a playful presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Easter Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature, and you’ll notice they stay chewy and fresh for up to two weeks. I usually slice them up after they’ve cooled completely and layer them between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Freezing
Freezing works well if you want to prep ahead. Wrap treats tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature for about an hour—just avoid microwaving to keep the texture intact.
Reheating
If you want to warm the treats slightly, I recommend a quick 5-7 second zap in the microwave to soften just enough for that melty, gooey appeal without losing their crunch. Be careful not to overdo it, or they can get sticky and messy fast!
FAQs
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Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?
Absolutely! If you’re using unsalted butter, just add about ½ teaspoon of salt to the recipe to keep the flavor balanced and enhance the sweetness of the marshmallows and cereals.
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Why shouldn’t I add Easter M&Ms too early?
Adding M&Ms too early causes their colors to bleed into the marshmallow mixture, resulting in a less pretty, muddy look. To keep those vibrant candy colors intact, fold them in right at the end.
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Can I substitute other cereals in this recipe?
Yes, you can! I recommend sticking with cereals that won’t get too soggy, like swapping Rice Chex for Corn Chex or trying different Cheerios varieties. Just avoid wheat cereals as they can make the texture less appealing.
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How thick should I press the treats in the pan?
Press them into an even layer about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Pressing too hard makes the treats compact and tough, while pressing too lightly risks them falling apart. Using parchment paper and gentle hands works best.
Final Thoughts
This Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe holds a special spot in my holiday baking traditions—it’s cheerful, quick, and perfectly nostalgic. I love sharing it with friends and family because it feels fun to make and even better to eat. If you want something everyone’ll smile at without a fuss, this is your go-to. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll become a seasonal staple you’ll look forward to each year!
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
Description
These festive Easter Rice Krispie Treats combine crispy cereal, gooey marshmallows, and colorful Easter-themed M&Ms and sprinkles for a fun and delicious holiday treat that’s easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- 10 cups mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cereals and Toppings
- 5 cups Rice Krispies
- 2 cups Rice Chex
- 2 cups Frosted Cheerios
- 1 cup Easter M&Ms
- 2 teaspoons Easter sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare baking dish: Premeasure all ingredients and line a 9×13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Coat the parchment with non-stick spray and set aside.
- Melt butter and marshmallows: In a large saucepan, melt the ½ cup salted butter and 8 cups of mini marshmallows together over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until smooth and fully melted.
- Add vanilla and remaining marshmallows: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, then immediately add the remaining 2 cups of mini marshmallows, stirring until they begin to melt and the mixture is well combined.
- Mix in cereals: Add the 5 cups Rice Krispies, 2 cups Rice Chex, and 2 cups Frosted Cheerios to the marshmallow mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until all cereal pieces are evenly coated.
- Fold in M&Ms and sprinkles: Quickly and carefully fold in 1 cup Easter M&Ms and 2 teaspoons Easter sprinkles, to avoid color bleeding from the candies.
- Transfer and shape: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Optionally top with extra M&Ms and sprinkles. Use parchment paper or greased hands to gently press the mixture into an even layer, taking care not to press too hard to keep treats soft.
- Set and cut: Allow the treats to set at room temperature for 30 minutes. Once firm, remove from the pan and cut into squares for serving.
Notes
- Unsalted butter can be used; add ½ teaspoon salt to compensate.
- Corn Chex can substitute for Rice Chex, but avoid wheat Chex to maintain texture.
- Other varieties of Cheerios are fine to use based on preference.
- Add M&M’s last and fold in gently to prevent the candy colors from bleeding.
- Do not press the mixture too hard or the treats will become tough.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
