15 Minute Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

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Make these fun and festive Christmas Rice Krispie Treats in just 15 minutes! Loaded with holiday M&Ms and sprinkles, they’re the perfect quick treat for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or after-school snacks.

Christmas rice Krispie treats on countertop

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The holidays are a time for creating memories with family, and what better way to do that than with some festive baking? If you’re short on time but want to deliver a show-stopping treat, these 15-Minute Christmas Rice Krispie Treats are your new go-to recipe!

These colorful and yummy treats come together in just a few steps, perfect for busy folks who want to throw together something festive without spending hours in the kitchen.

Hands raised!

 Whether you’re making these for an after-school snack or adding them to your holiday dessert table, they’re bound to be a hit with kids and adults alike. Plus, the red and green M&Ms and sprinkles bring so much holiday cheer, that they’ll disappear fast!

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

  1. Fast & Easy: They come together in 15 minutes, perfect for last-minute dessert needs.
  2. No Baking Required: Just melt, mix, and set—no oven time needed!
  3. Festive & Fun: The red, green, and white decorations make them perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and school events.
  4. Crowd-Pleaser: These classic Rice Krispie treats never go out of style and are a hit with kids of all ages.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 10 oz. mini marshmallows
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
  • 1 cup red and green M&M chocolates
  • ½ cup red, white, and green holiday sprinkles (I buy in bulk to save $$ and use all season long!)

Christmas rice Krispie treats being made in collage

How to Make Your Holiday Rice Krispies:

Prepare the Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang for easy removal. Lightly mist with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

I like to use pre-cut parchment sheets to make this part fly by even quicker!

Melt the Marshmallows: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted. Make sure to use low heat to avoid burning the marshmallow mixture.

Mix in Ingredients: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Add the Rice Krispie cereal and gently stir with a large spoon until fully coated. Fold in the M&Ms and holiday sprinkles, keeping the colors intact.

Christmas rice Krispie treats in glass pan in process collage

Press into Pan: Transfer the sticky mixture into the prepared pan. Using greased hands or a spatula, press the mixture evenly into the pan. You can sprinkle more sprinkles on top for extra festiveness!

Cool & Cut: Allow the treats to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Once set, remove from the pan using the parchment overhang and transfer to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into squares or use cookie cutters to shape them into Christmas trees for a fun holiday twist!

Serve & Enjoy: These crispy treats are perfect for any holiday party or to enjoy with family.

Cut up holiday rice Krispie treats

More Easy Holiday Desserts You’ll Enjoy:

Cookie Exchange Ideas Using This Recipe

If you’re heading to a cookie exchange, these Christmas Rice Krispie treats are a fun and easy addition to the mix. Not only are they quick to make, but they’re a crowd favorite! For variety, pair them with some of the other easy festive desserts from our blog, like Holiday Sugar Cookies or Peppermint Bark. You’ll leave the cookie exchange with your treat tray looking festive and delicious!

looking down on red and green rice Krispie treats in glass pan

How to Store Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

To keep these delicious treats fresh, place them in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to three days. If you’re planning to make them ahead for a Christmas party, they can also be stored in the fridge, covered in plastic wrap, for a longer shelf life.

How to Get the Perfect Clean Rice Krispie Treat Cut

To achieve perfectly clean cuts, let the rice krispie treats cool completely before slicing. Use a sharp knife and lightly grease the blade with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent the gooey marshmallow mixture from sticking to the knife and give you clean, even squares. If shaping them into Christmas trees, use greased cookie cutters and gently press them into the set cereal mixture.

Shaping Your Treats into Christmas Trees

Want to make these treats even more fun? Instead of cutting them into squares, use a Christmas tree cookie cutter to create festive Christmas tree Rice Krispie treats! After pressing the cereal mixture into the pan, let the mixture cool. Once cooled, use your cookie cutter to create tree shapes. Decorate with green M&Ms or drizzle with melted candy melts for extra holiday magic. These tree-shaped treats are a fun addition to any holiday dessert table or school event.


Christmas Rice Krispie Treats Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these in advance for a party? Yes! Just store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They’re great to make ahead of time.

How do I modify the recipe for larger batches? Simply double or triple the ingredients and use a larger baking pan!

Christmas rice Krispie treats on cutting board

Can I use other holiday sprinkles? Absolutely! Feel free to swap out the red, white, and green sprinkles for whatever colors fit your holiday theme.

How do I prevent the mixture from sticking to my hands? Lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray before pressing the mixture into the pan.

Christmas rice Krispie treats in glass pan

These Christmas Rice Krispie Treats are the perfect festive addition to your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re making them for a cookie exchange or just want an easy dessert for a holiday movie night, these treats are a great recipe to keep in your back pocket. The kids will love them, and you’ll love how easy they are to make!

looking down on red and green rice Krispie treats in glass pan

Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

These easy 15-minute Christmas Rice Krispie Treats are packed with holiday cheer! Featuring festive red and green M&Ms and sprinkles, they’re perfect for parties, cookie exchanges, or a fun after-school snack.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons Salted Butter
  • 10 oz. Mini Marshmallows
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
  • 1 cup Red and Green M&M Chocolates
  • ½ cup Red, White and Green Holiday Sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper leaving about a 1-inch overhang. Lightly mist with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a large nonstick pot, melt butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted add mini marshmallows. Stir continuously until marshmallows have completely melted.
  3. Remove from heat, add vanilla and Rice Krispie cereal. Gently stir until well combined.
  4. Add M&Ms and holiday sprinkles and mix until mixture comes together.
  5. Transfer Rice Krispie mixture into prepared 8x8 baking dish. Lightly press the mixture into the pan using a greased rubber spatula. If using your hands for this step you’ll want to lightly grease your hands.
  6. Add more sprinkles to the top if desired. Once cool, remove the Rice Krispie treats from the dish onto a cutting board and cut into equal squares.
  7. Enjoy!



Notes

Feel free to make this your own and use any holiday sprinkles! Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap or
store in an airtight container and store on the counter for up to 3 days.



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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 328Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 134mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 1gSugar: 34gProtein: 2g

Happy Holidays!

sign off keeping it simple, Brittany

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