Classic rice krispie treats are a favorite treat from our childhood. Add a layer of chocolate to take these gooey marshmallow cereal treats to the next level! Get ideas on how to style these crispy treats for every occasion from Halloween to birthday parties. This easy chocolate dessert is sure to be hit at your next get-together!
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Why These Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Treats Are The Best!
My motto is that everything is better with chocolate, so why not cover some rice krispies treats with a little melted chocolate. I really love this recipe because I can decorate these for whatever occasion is happening from Halloween to birthday parties and everything in-between. And really, who doesn't love a gooey marshmallow rice krispies treat?
Homemade rice krispie treats are so easy to make and are a great recipe to get the kids to help with. Mia loves to help with this recipe, stirring the marshmallows until they are totally melted is her favorite part.
Key Ingredients
mini marshmallows- melt quicker than the larger marshmallows.
chocolate chips- You can use any kind of chocolate for this recipe. Dark, white or milk chocolate will work well. I have many ideas below on how to use this recipe for other holiday ideas.
crispy rice cereal- use your favorite brand of cereal, just make sure it is fresh because stale cereal will not taste as good.
Step-By-Step Instructions
This recipe is just like the standard rice krispie treat recipe. Get a 13x9 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper ready. The parchment makes it easier to lift the entire bar from the pan so that you can easily cut into small bars.
Melt the butter in a large in a large pot over medium heat. Add the marshmallows to the butter and use a rubber spatula to stir the marshmallows into the melted butter.
Once the marshmallows are mostly melted remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Add the rice cereal and gently stir to coat into the marshmallow mixture.
Working quickly, transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Gently press into the baking dish in an even layer. If you press the cereal mixture too hard it will make the rice krispie treats harder and we want them to be light and fluffy.
Now we must wait for an hour for the treats to harden up in the pan. Cool at room temperature.
Once they are ready to cut, lift the entire bar onto a cutting board and cut into squares. Stick lollipop sticks into the side of the bars. This is totally optional, but does make the treat cute.
Stick these in the freezer for just a few minutes, while you prepare the chocolate. This helps firm the marshmallow around the stick so that it is easier to decorate.
To melt the chocolate, I use the microwave method. Quick 15 second intervals, stirring in-between always works the best for melting chocolate. Make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl to melt the chocolate. If you have never tried this, read my tutorial How to Melt Chocolate Chips {In the Microwave} for all of my tips for milk, white and dark chocolate chips.
Dunk the ends of the cereal treats into the melted chocolate. I use a knife to help coat the sides and scrape off any excess chocolate. Once generously coated, lay the rice krispies treats on a piece of parchment or wax paper. If you are using sprinkles add the now or let the chocolate set before decorating.
You can coat the entire treat or just half of it. I like to just dunk one end so that people know what they are biting into.
Make Different Versions For the Holidays
Rice krispie treats are a recipe that is fun all year long. What I love about this chocolate dipped rice krispie treats recipe is that I can make different fun variations for the holidays! The possibilities are really endless. I made a fun jack o' lantern with orange candy melts and used icing to decorate. Now I know some of you are saying, but candy melts are not really chocolate. No they are not but it is a great way to make a cute festive dessert!
Here are a few other ideas:
- white chocolate with red, and blue sprinkles for July 4th
- red candy melts with green sprinkle for Christmas
- white chocolate with red and pink sprinkles for Valentine's Day
- purple candy melts with pink icing to make an Easter egg for Easter
You can get really creative and put your own fun spin on this dessert recipe.
Storage Tips
Rice Krispies Treats are best stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days left at room temperature.
If you have more than you can eat in a few days, you can wrap the treats in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to 6 weeks. Just allow them to come to room temperature before eating.
Expert Tips
- Make sure you use fresh marshmallows for this recipe, to insure they melt well.
- If using a lollipop stick, freeze the treats after you insert the stick into the side so that it is easier to decorate. They need only a few minutes in the freezer to firm up.
Looking For Other Cereal Bar Recipes? Try These!
Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats {with Chocolate}
Easy Rice Krispies Treats with Chocolate Chips
Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!
Chocolate Covered Rice Krispies Treats
Equipment
- 13x9 inch baking pan
- Lollipop sticks, optional
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 10 ounce packages mini marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 9 cups rice cereal
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a 13 x 9 inch pan with parchment paper.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add butter to pot and melt. Once butter is melted add marshmallows to the pot.
- Stir marshmallows until melted and remove from heat.
- Stir in vanilla extract and rice cereal. Gently stir the cereal into marshmallow mixture is coated. Spread evenly into prepared pan without pressing too firmly.
- Allow the rice krispie treats to cool at room temperature for an hour before cutting.
- Use the parchment as handles to remove from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 20 square bars.
- If using the lollipop sticks, insert into one end, being careful to not go all the way through. Place the bars into the freezer to firm around the stick for a few minutes while you melt the chocolate.
- Place chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl and microwave for 60-90 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Dip the bars into the melted chocolate. Use a knife to evenly coat the sides and scrape off any excess chocolate. Lay on parchment paper to harden. Decorate with sprinkles or icing.
- Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
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