The holidays can be a whirlwind, can’t they? Between shopping for gifts, decorating the tree, and trying to find time to juggle everything else in life, we all need a little magic in the kitchen that won’t take up half our day. Well, let me tell you about my latest obsession: these Christmas Rice Krispie Bars! They come together in about 20 minutes, and you won’t even need to turn on the oven. This no-bake recipe is a total crowd-pleaser that your family will love! And hey, you can easily switch up the ingredients to suit whatever you’ve got on hand or even use this as a fun opportunity to clean out the pantry. Seriously, let’s dive into this festive treat!
Ingredient Breakdown
Ready to get started? I’ll walk you through the simple, delicious ingredients you’ll need to create these delightful Christmas Rice Krispie Bars.
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal: This classic cereal gives the bars their signature crunch. Plus, they’re super light, making it easy to snack on just one…or two…or three.
1 package (10 oz) marshmallows: These are the magic glue that holds everything together. You can use mini marshmallows, or if the mood strikes, go for the big ones, why not!?
3 tablespoons butter: Because butter makes everything better! This adds richness and a buttery flavor that’ll make you say, “Oh wow, yes please!”
1 cup holiday-themed sprinkles or M&Ms: This is where the fun really kicks in! Go wild with festive colors and shapes your bars will be as colorful as a holiday party!
You can even mix in some crushed candy canes, chocolate chips, or nuts if you’re feeling adventurous!
How to Make Christmas Rice Krispie Bars
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s get cooking! (Well, more like mixing, but let’s not get bogged down in details!)
Melt Butter and Marshmallows: Grab a large saucepan and toss in those 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Just let it melt gently, stirring occasionally until it’s bubbly and beautiful. Then, add the marshmallows! Stir them in and keep mixing until they’re completely melted and glossy. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Your kitchen is about to smell divine, trust me!
Incorporate Rice Krispies: Once the marshmallows are melted and you can almost see your holiday dreams starting to take shape, it’s time for the Rice Krispies! Pour in those crispy little guys, and stir until they’re coated in that amazing, sweet marshmallow mixture! You want every single piece to be covered, this step is key for bar integrity! This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Add in the Holiday Fun: Now, it’s time to fold in your holiday sprinkles or M&Ms. Picture it: colorful bursts mixing with that gooey marshmallowy goodness. Yum! You can almost taste the joy, right? Go ahead, mix until evenly distributed, this usually takes just 1 minute.
Press into the Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch pan (or line it with parchment paper for extra ease). Now, pour the mixture into the pan, and use a spatula or your hands (damp fingers work best here to avoid stickiness) to evenly press it down. You want it compact and ready to be cut into perfectly pretty bars!
Let Them Set: Once everything is all pressed in, let those festive bars cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, slice them into squares or rectangles, whatever floats your holiday boat!
Serve and Enjoy!: You know the drill; serve them up, and watch them disappear faster than you can say “Christmas cheer”!
Why I Love This Recipe
Honestly, these Christmas Rice Krispie Bars are one of my go-to recipes during the holiday season, no lie. They’ve always been a family favorite in my house. My kids love being involved in the process, whether it’s pouring in the cereal or mixing in the sprinkles; it feels like a fun family activity rather than just another chore. Plus, I’m a real sucker for easy holiday treats that don’t make a mess, let’s be real!
The best part is, you can use whatever you’ve got on hand, open your pantry door, and get creative! This is the kind of recipe that spans generations, and I love the joy it brings when everyone gathers around, munching on these mouthwatering squares with smiles plastered from ear to ear. And hey, if you loved this recipe, definitely check out my Classic Christmas Toffee, my Black Forest Trifle for Christmas, or my Easy Praline Crunch. Trust me; your holiday lineup wouldn’t be complete without them!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This recipe comes together in under 20 minutes (plus the cooling time), making it perfect for last-minute holiday treats. Whip these up while you multitask or when the kids have friends over. A fabulous, sweet little project!
No-Bake Delight
With no baking involved, you’re saving yourself from a hot oven and a ton of cleanup. Just one pot, folks! Minimal fuss and all the fun!
Customizable
Use whatever ingredients you have on hand, this is a fantastic way to get creative, toss in favorites, or even just empty out the pantry. An open invitation to your inner chef!
Family-Friendly
Not just kid-friendly, but family-friendly. Everyone, from toddlers to grandparents, loves these little bars. They’re a crowd-pleaser; I dare you to find someone who says no to a marshmallow-drenched, crunchy treat!
Holiday Cheer
The sprinkle explosion alone brings festive joy to any gathering. Seriously, they’re like little squares of happiness on a plate. Plus, they make lovely gifts if you cut them into festive shapes and wrap them up!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve These Christmas Rice Krispie Bars
You can whip this batch up for any holiday gathering, or just enjoy them at home with a cup of cocoa! Serve these bars with:
- Hot Cocoa: Because nostalgia!
- Ice Cream: Add a scoop of vanilla or peppermint for the ultimate dessert!
- On a Platter: Place in a festive dish, sprinkle with extra holiday joy (read: more sprinkles) for an eye-catching presentation!
Storage Tips
These scrumptious Rice Krispie Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1 week. Just make sure they’re definitely separated by parchment paper, so they don’t get too sticky!
Reheating Instructions
No need to reheat these babies since they’re already delicious at room temperature. But if you want that gooey marshmallow consistency back, you can pop one in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds just don’t forget to keep an eye on it!
Freezer Friendly
Oh, totally! You can freeze them for up to 2 months. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then store them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let them thaw at room temperature for a bit. Treat yourself to some future holiday joy!
So, there you have it! With these quick and easy Christmas Rice Krispie Bars, you’re all set for some festive fun this holiday season. Perfect for busy families, last-minute gatherings, or a sweet treat just because! Remember to get creative and personalize this recipe to make it uniquely yours. Happy holidays, friends!
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Print
Quick and Easy Christmas Rice Krispie Bars
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fun and festive no-bake treat that brings joy to any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 package (10 oz) marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup holiday-themed sprinkles or M&Ms
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until bubbly, then add the marshmallows and mix until melted and glossy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate the Rice Krispies by pouring them into the marshmallow mixture and stir until well coated, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the holiday sprinkles or M&Ms and mix until evenly distributed, about 1 minute.
- Press the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch pan, using a spatula or damp fingers to compact it.
- Let the bars cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then slice into squares or rectangles and serve.
Notes
These bars can be customized with crushed candy canes, chocolate chips, or nuts. They make great gifts when cut into festive shapes!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
