Nothing says cozy holiday spirit quite like a batch of sweet, colorful treats you can whip up in no time. This Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe brings together festive colors, creamy marshmallows, and that familiar, crunchy goodness we all love—perfect for sharing or sneaking a few yourself while decorating the tree.

The image shows a close-up of two thick square treats, layered with light tan crispy cereal mixed with white marshmallow, topped with red and green candy-coated chocolates and red and green sprinkles. A white drizzle flows across the top of the treats in thin, uneven lines. The treats rest on brown parchment paper on a white marbled surface, with extra red and green candies scattered around. Below, a white bowl is filled with more red and green candy-coated chocolates, adding a festive touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have a soft spot for this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe because it’s simple enough for a busy afternoon yet festive enough to brighten any holiday gathering. Plus, it’s so customizable and kid-friendly, making it a winner in my house every year.

Fast and Foolproof: These treats come together quickly using pantry staples, so no stress right before your party.
Festive Fun: Holiday-colored M&M’s and sprinkles add a joyful pop that’s as pretty as it is tasty.
Soft, But With Crunch: The perfect balance between chewy marshmallows and crisp rice cereal—comfort food at its best.
Customizable: You can easily swap candies or sprinkles to fit your holiday theme or dietary preferences.

The image shows several square pieces of rice cereal treats arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each treat has a pale beige base made from puffed rice cereal held together by a sticky substance, with visible green and red candy-coated chocolates mixed inside. The top layer is decorated with a white drizzle and scattered whole red and green candy-coated chocolates. The treats have a textured, slightly rough surface and appear soft but firm. A white bowl filled with red and green candy-coated chocolates sits in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe plays a key role, creating a texture and flavor combo that’s nostalgic but with a bright twist courtesy of holiday candies. Here's why I love each one and what to look for when shopping.

Flat lay of six tablespoons of salted butter in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl filled with mini white marshmallows, a small white ceramic bowl with pure vanilla extract, a large white ceramic bowl heaped with crispy rice cereal, a small white ceramic bowl holding colorful holiday M&M's in red, green, yellow, and orange, a small white ceramic bowl of red and green holiday sprinkles in the shape of jimmies, and a small white ceramic bowl containing melted creamy white chocolate wafers, all arranged in perfect symmetry with realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salted butter: Adds richness and helps melt the marshmallows smoothly; always use real butter, not margarine, for best flavor.
Mini marshmallows: Use fresh ones! They melt evenly for that perfect sticky binding.
Pure vanilla extract: Brings out the sweetness and adds depth—don’t skip it!
Rice Krispies cereal: The star crunch that holds its texture well when mixed with melted marshmallows.
Holiday M&M’s: Adds festive color and chocolate bursts; milk chocolate or peanut butter are my favorites, but use what you love.
Holiday sprinkles: For that extra festive look and subtle sweetness; I prefer jimmies as they hold up well.
White chocolate melting wafers: The drizzle on top makes it feel special and adds a creamy finish that’s just dreamy.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe invites you to get creative. Sometimes I swap out the M&M’s for crushed peppermint candies or add mini candy canes for a little holiday crunch. You could also add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm spice twist.

Variation: One year, I tried adding chopped dried cranberries for a tart burst—I highly recommend it if you want a mix of sweet and tangy.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan

First, line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Trust me, this makes lifting your treats out so much easier and prevents sticking. Set that aside while you get started on the marshmallow mixture.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons of salted butter. Once it’s melted, stir in all but 1 cup of your mini marshmallows. Reduce heat to low and keep stirring—this step is key to avoid scorching and ensures smooth, gooey marshmallow melted goodness.

Step 3: Flavor and Combine

Remove the pan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Then, gently fold in 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal along with the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows. This fresh addition keeps the treats extra soft. Finally, fold in 1 cup of holiday M&M's and all your holiday sprinkles—this is where the magic happens.

Step 4: Shape and Decorate

Pour the mixture into your parchment-lined dish and press it gently with your fingertips until evenly spread. Press gently here—too hard and your treats will be dense rather than light and chewy. Next, drizzle the top with melted white chocolate wafers for that beautiful finishing touch. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of M&M's on top, maybe add an extra pinch of sprinkles if you’re feeling festive. Let everything set for about an hour before slicing.

Top Tip

From my experience, the secret to perfect Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is in the marshmallow melting stage and the gentle pressing of the mixture in the pan. This really affects the texture and chewiness you want.

Watch Your Heat: Melt your marshmallows on low to prevent burning and clumping; patience here pays off.
Press Gently: Use gentle pressure when shaping so your treats remain airy, not rock-hard.
Freshness Matters: Always use fresh marshmallows and crisp Rice Krispies to avoid a stale or chewy mess.
Melted Chocolate Drizzle: Don’t skip this step—it adds a creamy texture and festive look that takes your treats from simple to show-stopping.

How to Serve Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Holiday Rice Krispie Treats - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping mine with extra holiday-colored sprinkles and a scattering of mini M&M’s right before serving—it gives them a sparkly, festive look that’s irresistible. You can also dust lightly with edible glitter if you want a little extra holiday sparkle.

Side Dishes

These treats pair wonderfully with warm drinks like mulled cider, hot cocoa, or even a creamy eggnog. If you’re serving a holiday breakfast spread, they’re a fun sweet sidekick to cinnamon rolls and fruit salad.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve placed these treats in clear glass jars with ribbon ties for gifting. You can also cut them into festive shapes using cookie cutters—stars, bells, or Christmas trees make for adorable presentation that kids especially love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover treats in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and fresh. They usually last up to a week—if they last that long! Avoid refrigerating as it tends to dry them out.

Freezing

Freezing is a great option—I wrap each treat individually in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer bag. They freeze well up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Reheating

If you prefer warm treats, microwave them for about 10 seconds wrapped in a paper towel—just enough to soften but not melt completely. Warmed up, they taste closer to freshly made!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini?

You can, but mini marshmallows melt more evenly and quickly, giving a smoother texture to your treats. If you only have regular ones, cut them into smaller pieces to speed up melting and reduce chunkiness.

What if I don’t have holiday M&M’s?

No worries! You can substitute with regular M&M’s or any colorful holiday-themed candies you prefer. Alternatively, chopped peppermint bark or crushed candy canes add a festive and tasty twist.

How do I prevent the treats from becoming too hard?

The key is not to over-press the mixture into the pan and to use fresh marshmallows and cereal. Press gently when spreading the mixture—too much pressure squeezes out air and makes the treats dense and hard.

Can I make these treats vegan or gluten-free?

Yes! For vegan treats, use plant-based butter and vegan marshmallows (check for gelatin-free). For gluten-free, ensure the cereal is certified gluten-free, and use gluten-free sprinkles and candies.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll give this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe a try—it’s one of my go-to festive sweets that always brings smiles. Easy to make, delightfully festive, and just downright delicious, it’s the sort of treat that turns any ordinary day into a holiday moment. Grab your apron and enjoy the sweet simplicity!