Rice Krispie treats are one of those classic, nostalgic treats that you never outgrow. Mainly because it's delicious and so simple! There are so many ways to make them, but the basics all include butter, marshmallows and cereal. For this recipe, there have been cheerios and sprinkles added for both a festive touch and an added flavor. These rice krispie cereal treats are sure to please all ages at your get together! If you're looking for quick, easy and fun ideas for your 4th of July party add this patriotic dessert to the table along with maybe some Jolly Rancher cotton candy and you'll be good to go!
You don't have to make these into star shapes for them to be delicious, but it does make them a bit more fun when you turn meals into creative shapes to go along with a celebration. All it takes to make them is a few extra minutes and a star-shaped cookie cutter. Needing more recipe ideas? Try adding white chocolate popcorn and m&m's or heart-shaped strawberries to the party menu!
Making Patriotic Rice Krispies
First, you want to spray your 9x13 baking pan, or whatever size pan you plan to put your rice krispie treats into. This just makes it less sticky when it's time to cut the treats.
When melting the marshmallows and butter, I start with the butter and get it begin to melt and then add the marshmallows. This only takes a few minutes. Then you'll add your cereal and stir until it is all combined. I used a mixture of rice krispies and cheerios, I really liked the crunchy texture the cheerios added to these crispy cereal bars. Cheerios come in a variety of colors and flavors, strawberry or blueberry could be a good addition as well.
After the mixture has started to cool, dump it into the baking dish. I recommend using a silicone spatula (or another wooden spoon/spatula) to help press down the mixture into the dish. It gets pretty sticky and can be hard to evenly distribute otherwise. After this you add your sprinkles and/or toppings!
Tips
- I used a whole stick of butter and a bag of s'mores marshmallows. You could easily halve the recipe. I make them this way to that they'd be thick and gooey. But, add more or less marshmallows and you can adjust the quantity of butter to your preference.
- I used a mix of rice krispies and cheerios, and it added a bit more crunch to the cereal bars.
- You can cut the treats into bars and then cut them into shapes if it's easier. You may need to flatten the bar a bit or adjust it after cutting but this way you can decide how many shapes to have and how many standard sized bars.
Other Cereal Combos to Try
- Try this with lucky charms or just the marshmallows, be sure to pair with our Lucky Charms hot chocolate.
- Chocolate lovers can swap the regular rice krispies for cocoa ones.
- Try cereals added into the mixture instead of as a topping for extra crunchy cereal bars.
- Fruit loops, s'mores cereal and cinnamon toast crunch would all be fun flavors to turn into bars!
FAQ
Yes! To make this in the microwave, melt your butter and marshmallows in a microwave safe bowl and then add your cereal mixture.
When making your marshmallow and butter mixture be sure to keep the temp of the stove low-medium, don't let it boil or get too hot. Remove from heat before adding the cereal and this should help.
Making these for another holiday?
- Use green food coloring or sprinkles and make rice krispie Christmas trees! Christmas stars, Valentine's hearts,
- Re-use your star shaped cookie cutter and make Christmas star shapes.
- Use red and pink sprinkles and make into a fun heart for Valentine's Day.
📖 Recipe
Crispy Cereal Bar (Rice Krispie Treat with Sprinkles!)
Equipment
- 1 baking dish
- 1 sauce pan big enough to hold 10 cups of cereal.
- 1 spatula
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 star-shaped cookie cutter optional, or other preferred shape.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 24 large marshmallows smore size or regular, if regular use whole bag.
- 5 cup rice krispie cereal or other cereal of choice.
- 5 cup cheerios cereal or other flavor/cereal of choice.
Instructions
- Spray a 9x13 baking pan with olive oil or other cooking spray. Set aside.
- On low-medium heat, melt one stick of butter and add large marshmallows. I used a bag of the s'mores style mashmallows, but you could use mini marshmallows or regular sized ones as well. If using mini or regular sized you'll want to use 6 cups- the full bag.
- Once marshmallows and butter have melted and combined, remove from heat and begin to add your dry cereal, stirring as you go.
- Once combined, empty mixture into your baking pan and use a clean spatula (I recommend a silicone spatula) to help push down the treats.
- Add sprinkles on top of the rice krispie treats after they've cooled.
- To cut into a star shape, use a star cookie cutter and press down into the pan or into a rice krispie treat square. Remove edges and set aside or reuse to create another star shape.
- Store in an air tight container. They'll be good for 2 days, or you can freeze them.
Claire says
A classic treat! Loved the addition of cheerios.