There’s just something about biting into a perfectly chewy and festive treat that brings the holidays alive. This Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is my go-to for holiday gatherings — it’s colorful, super easy to make, and totally nostalgic. Plus, those pops of holiday M&M's and sprinkles really jazz it up in the best way!

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 made this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe for years, and it never fails to impress. It’s that perfect balance of sweet, crispy, and colorful, plus it’s so quick you can whip it up last minute for a holiday party or gift plate.

Festive fun: The holiday M&M's and sprinkles make these treats instantly cheerful and festive.
Simplicity rules: Just a handful of pantry staples and a few easy steps — anyone can do this.
Customizable: Swap your favorite candies and colors depending on the holiday or your mood.
Perfect texture: Crispy cereal and gooey marshmallows meld with little bursts of chocolate in every bite.

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

Each ingredient here pulls double duty: simple, familiar components that combine for maximum deliciousness. When I shop for this recipe, I always pick fresh marshmallows and the best quality cereal I can find. The holiday twist comes from the fun M&M's and sprinkles – they add texture, color, and extra cheer.

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 richness and helps everything melt smoothly without being too greasy.
Mini marshmallows: The glue that holds it all together — fresh ones melt into that chewy, marshmallow dream texture.
Pure vanilla extract: Just a splash enhances the flavor and adds warmth.
Rice Krispies cereal: The classic crispy base that keeps the treats light and crunchy.
Holiday M&M's: Adds pops of color and chocolate delight in every bite — pick your favorite variety!
Holiday sprinkles: For extra festive flair and a little fun crunch.
White chocolate melting wafers: Drizzled on top for a touch of elegance and creamy sweetness.

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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

One of the best things about this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I love switching out the candy mix-ins depending on the holiday — think candy canes for Christmas or pastel M&M’s for Easter! Feel free to get creative and put your own spin on it.

Variation: I once made a peppermint version by folding in crushed candy canes and using red and green sprinkles — it was a huge hit at my holiday party and gave a cool minty twist that surprised everyone.
Diet-friendly swaps: To lighten things up, you could try your favorite mini or dairy-free marshmallows, and swap the butter for coconut oil for a slightly different but tasty texture.
Extra add-ins: Toss in nuts or dried fruit for some interesting bites, but remember it might change the softness, so just a little goes a long way.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients

Before you do anything messy, line your 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper — this makes cleanup a breeze and helps the treats lift out without sticking. Measure everything ahead of time, so you’re ready to move quickly once the marshmallows start melting — trust me, patience makes a difference here!

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

Set a large saucepan over medium heat and melt 6 tablespoons of salted butter. When it’s fully melted and starting to bubble a little, add all but one cup of the mini marshmallows. Reducing the heat to low, stir gently but continuously until every gooey piece melts down into a smooth, luscious mixture. This step is crucial — too much heat or rushing will burn the marshmallows, and we want a silky base!

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Cereal

Remove the pan from heat and stir in the teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Then, quickly add the 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal and the remaining 1 cup of mini marshmallows. Fold everything together gently — you want to coat the cereal without crushing it. Right about now, fold in 1 cup of your holiday M&M's and all the sprinkles. They’ll add those fun festive bursts later.

Step 4: Transfer and Decorate

Pour the mixture into your prepared pan. Now, here’s my little trick: press down gently with your fingertips instead of a spatula to spread the mixture evenly. This way, you don’t compact it too hard and lose the airy texture. Next, drizzle the melted white chocolate wafers on top — a little goes a long way for a pretty finish. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of holiday M&M’s and a pinch of sprinkles right over the white chocolate before it sets.

Step 5: Let It Set Before Enjoying

Pop the whole pan somewhere cool or at room temperature and give it at least one hour to firm up. This waiting might be the hardest part, but trust me, once it’s set, cutting and serving will be a joyful, mess-free experience.

Top Tip

From my kitchen trials to yours, these little pointers can save you time and help your Holiday Rice Krispie Treats come out perfectly every time. They’re tricks I’ve picked up through trial, triumphs, and those “oops” moments.

Don’t overheat the marshmallows: Keep the heat low once you add them so they melt smoothly. Getting too hot causes them to seize or burn.
Use fresh cereal and marshmallows: Stale ingredients lead to crumbly or tough treats — fresh always means fluffier and tastier.
Press gently: When spreading the mixture in the pan, avoid compacting too hard to keep treats light and crispy.
Personalize toppings: Adding extra candy or sprinkles to the top after drizzling chocolate not only looks gorgeous but creates different textures.

How to Serve Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Holiday Rice Krispie Treats - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishing simple but festive. A final dusting of extra sprinkles and colorful holiday M&M's is my favorite — it makes the treats look joyful and inviting on the plate. Sometimes, I toss on a few crushed peppermint pieces for that extra seasonal zing.

Side Dishes

These treats pair so well with hot cocoa or a cup of spiced tea for cozy gatherings. I also love serving them alongside simple holiday cookies or fruit to balance all the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive mood, I like cutting these into fun shapes using cookie cutters — stars, trees, snowflakes — perfect for holiday party trays or gifting. Wrapping individual squares in clear cellophane tied with ribbons always gets compliments and brightens my holiday tables.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After they’re completely cooled, I store these in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment paper between them to keep from sticking. They last easily for up to a week, still chewy and fresh.

Freezing

If you want to prep way ahead, these treats freeze fabulously! I wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready, just let them thaw at room temp before serving.

Reheating

I usually skip reheating because the treats are best chewy and fresh, but if you want a warm gooey bite, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens them nicely without drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini ones?

Yes! Regular-sized marshmallows will work fine, but you might want to chop them into smaller pieces to help them melt evenly and blend smoothly with the Rice Krispies cereal.

What’s the best way to prevent the treats from being too sticky?

Make sure to use enough butter and melt the marshmallows thoroughly, stirring gently to prevent scorching. Press the mixture gently into the pan without overpacking, and let the treats cool completely before cutting. Storing them in an airtight container also helps keep them from becoming sticky.

Can I substitute the white chocolate drizzle with something else?

Absolutely! You can skip the white chocolate entirely or swap it for melted dark or milk chocolate, peanut butter drizzle, or even a colored candy melt to match the holiday theme. Just make sure whichever you use is easy to drizzle and sets nicely.

How do I keep the M&M's from melting or bleeding colors?

Add the M&M’s in two parts — mix some into the treat base and reserve some for sprinkling on top after drizzling the white chocolate. Adding them after helps them keep their shape and prevents color bleeding. Make sure the melted marshmallow mixture isn’t too hot when folding in candy.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe feels like a warm, sweet hug during the busiest time of year. It’s so quick to make and endlessly adaptable that I always have it in my holiday repertoire. I hope when you make these, they bring as much joy and festive cheer to your table as they do to mine — they just might become your new holiday classic!