There’s something truly magical about biting into a perfectly chewy, sweet, and colorful treat around the holidays. This Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is exactly that—a festive spin on a classic favorite that’s fun for all ages and so easy to whip up, you’ll want to make it part of your yearly tradition.

The image shows two thick square bars made from a light beige cereal base with a slightly bumpy texture. Each bar is decorated with red and green candy-coated chocolates placed unevenly across the top, standing out with their shiny surfaces. There are small red and green sprinkles scattered on and around the bars. A white drizzle, likely icing, is spread in uneven lines over the tops of the bars and the white marbled surface beneath. A white bowl filled with matching red and green candy-coated chocolates is partially visible in the lower left corner. The bars rest on a piece of light brown parchment paper. 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’ve tried lots of seasonal treats, but these Holiday Rice Krispie Treats stand out because they layer classic comfort with bursts of colorful sweetness. They’re perfect for parties, gift-giving, or just brightening up a chilly afternoon with a warm cup of cocoa.

Festive and colorful: The holiday M&Ms and sprinkles add that cheerful pop you can see and taste right away.
Simple ingredients: You probably already have most of this stuff on hand, so no special trips required.
Customizable: Swap out candies or sprinkles to match your holiday theme or taste preferences with ease.
Textural fun: The gentle crunch of cereal combined with melty marshmallow and smooth white chocolate makes every bite interesting.

The image shows several square-shaped rice cereal treats arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each treat has a light golden color base made from puffed rice mixed with a sticky binder. On top, there are scattered red and green candy-coated chocolates, some whole and some broken, adding bright spots of color. White drizzle, likely icing or melted white chocolate, is spread unevenly over the tops of the treats, creating a textured, slightly glossy look. The treats look soft but firm, with the candy pieces embedded inside as well as on the surface. In the background, a white bowl with green stripes is partially visible, filled with more colorful candy-coated chocolates. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

When you combine these few ingredients, you get a perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and crunchy textures. Each component plays its part—from the gooey marshmallows binding to the crispy cereal to the festive pops of candy and sprinkles.

Flat lay of six tablespoons of salted butter in a small white ceramic bowl, a heap of white mini marshmallows spilling slightly from a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with smooth white vanilla extract, a generous mound of golden puffed rice Krispies cereal on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl holding vibrant red, green, and white holiday M&M's, a small white dish with multicolored holiday jimmies sprinkles, and a simple white ceramic bowl containing melted creamy white chocolate, all arranged symmetrically and naturally, 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 just enough richness and flavor without overpowering; melting it first helps evenly coat everything.
Mini Marshmallows: They melt smoothly to create that iconic chewy texture; reserving some unmelted adds a soft bite.
Vanilla Extract: A splash brings warmth and depth, elevating the marshmallow sweetness beautifully.
Rice Krispies Cereal: The star crunch of the dish—light, crisp, and holding its structure without sogginess.
Holiday M&M’s: These candy-coated chocolates add extra color, festive vibes, and a hint of chocolatey yum.
Holiday Sprinkles: A little sprinkle magic for texture, cheer, and that wow factor on every bite.
Ghirardelli White Chocolate Melting Wafers: Drizzled on top for a creamy contrast, melting quickly and smoothly for an elegant finish.

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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

What I love most about this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to boost the chocolate factor, add nuts for crunch, or make these nut-free for kiddos, the base works beautifully for tweaks.

Variation: I once swapped the holiday M&M’s for peppermint bark pieces, and the minty freshness gave a nice twist without losing that nostalgic texture.
Dietary Adjustment: For a dairy-free version, try swapping butter with coconut oil and use non-dairy marshmallows—you won't miss a beat.
Seasonal Changes: For other holidays, switch out the sprinkles and candy colors—think pastel for Easter or red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July.

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

Step 1: Prep and Melt with Care

First things first, line your 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside. This little step makes cleanup a breeze and helps your treats release perfectly. Then, melt the butter over medium heat—don’t rush this part. Once it’s fully melted, lower the heat and stir in all but 1 cup of your mini marshmallows. Be patient and keep the heat low so they melt evenly without burning. It’s key to stir constantly here so you don’t get clumps or scorched bits.

Step 2: Flavor and Mix

Take your saucepan off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract right away—this preserves the aroma. Now add your Rice Krispies cereal and the remaining cup of marshmallows, gently folding to coat everything evenly. Toss in 1 cup of holiday M&M’s and all the festive sprinkles too. This step is where the magic happens because those candies add bursts of flavor and texture that make these treats so fun.

Step 3: Press, Drizzle, and Decorate

Pour your mixture into the prepared dish and press gently with your fingertips—don’t smash, just a light touch to spread evenly and keep fluffiness. Then drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top; it adds a lovely creamy contrast that’s way more festive than plain treats. Finally, toss on the remaining ¼ cup of holiday M&M’s and an extra pinch of sprinkles if you want. Let everything set at room temperature for about an hour before cutting—trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Top Tip

Making perfect Holiday Rice Krispie Treats doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Over the years, I’ve found a few little things that really make these stand out and keep you stress-free while prepping.

Low and Slow Melting: Keep the heat low when melting marshmallows so you get a smooth, glossy mixture without burning.
Reserved Marshmallows: Stirring in some unmelted mini marshmallows adds a delightfully chewy texture that feels extra special in these treats.
Gentle Pressing: Press your treats gently into the pan so they stay light and fluffy, not dense and hard.
Timing the White Chocolate: Drizzle the melted chocolate right after pressing so it seals in beautifully—just make sure it’s not too hot or it’ll melt your treats!

How to Serve Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Holiday Rice Krispie Treats - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like keeping garnishes simple but festive. A sprinkle of extra holiday-themed sprinkles and colorful M&M’s on top really catch the eye and make these treats party-ready. If you want to kick it up a notch, a delicate dusting of edible glitter or a few small candy canes crushed in adds sparkle and crunch.

Side Dishes

These treats pair beautifully with warm drinks like hot chocolate or spiced apple cider. For a holiday party, I like to offer them alongside simple finger sandwiches or a fruit platter to balance all the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I wrap individual squares in cellophane tied with festive ribbons. At parties, I sometimes shape the treats using cookie cutters—stars, trees, or snowflakes—to keep things playful and thematic. Layering them in a clear glass jar or decorative tin makes a beautiful homemade gift too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Holiday Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps them soft and chewy for up to a week. Just be sure the container is sealed well to avoid drying out or picking up fridge smells.

Freezing

If you want to save these for longer, freezing works great. I wrap squares individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They freeze well for up to three months and thaw quickly at room temp when you’re ready to enjoy one.

Reheating

I rarely need to reheat because they’re best served at room temperature, but if you want a warm treat, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens them up perfectly without melting the chocolate drizzle too much—just watch closely!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?

Yes! Regular marshmallows will work fine in this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe. I recommend chopping them into smaller pieces so they melt evenly and mix well with the cereal.

How do I avoid soggy Rice Krispie treats?

To keep your treats crisp and chewy, melt your marshmallows over low heat and mix in the cereal gently but thoroughly. Press the mixture into the pan lightly instead of packing it down hard, which keeps the texture nice.

Can I make these treats vegan or gluten-free?

For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free rice cereal. For vegan, substitute butter with coconut oil, and use vegan marshmallows. This will slightly change texture but keeps them delicious and allergy-friendly.

What’s the best way to cut these treats?

Let the treats set completely at room temperature—about an hour—to firm up nicely. Then use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts, for neat squares without crumbling.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe has become one of my go-to festive sweets because it’s quick, customizable, and impossible not to smile when you bite in. I hope you make these for your family or friends and enjoy the little moments of joy they bring—because sometimes, a simple treat like this is the sweetest gift you can share.