Grinch Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
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Grinch Rice Krispie Treats are the perfect holiday treat recipe for kids and adults! They are so simple to make with crispy rice cereal, butter, marshmallows, vanilla and a few drops of food coloring. Sprinkle green sanding sugar over the top and finish them off with a jumbo red heart.
I think even Mr. Grinch himself would be happy to get his hands on a few of these festive treats!
What you will need:
- Crispy Rice Cereal – you want a brand new box of cereal for the best flavor. Do not just grab a box out of the pantry that is left over from last year.
- Marshmallows – again, you want fresh!! These are the two main ingredients, they need to be the stars. Miniature marshmallows work the best, but you can also use large or even marshmallow cream.
- Salted Butter – for added depth of flavor, salted butter works best in this recipe.
- Vanilla Extract – you want a good-quality vanilla, either Watkins clear or pure extract. This gives your treats more of a homemade flavor.
- Gel Coloring – I used electric green, but a darker green would work as well.
- Light green sanding sugar gives these treats a sparkle, and the jumbo red hearts are a must for any Grinch-themed treat!
How to make Rice crispy Treats with marshmallows:
Spray a 9 x 13 x 2 baking pan with cooking spray, or brush with butter. Set aside.
Melt butter over LOW heat in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.
Add the marshmallows, toss to coat, and continue stirring until completely melted.
Add 4 to 5 drops green coloring and the vanilla extract, stir to completely combine.
Next, add the crispy rice cereal and stir until well coated.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and gently to spread out evenly.
Tip – rub butter in between your hands so they don’t stick to the marshmallow treats.
Sprinkle with colored sanding sugar and allow to cool completely for an hour.
Cut into 2-inch squares and add a jumbo red heart before serving.
I used Cake Drip, but a tube of icing works as well.
These holiday rice krispie treats are best served the day they are made, but they will last in an air-tight container for 2 to 3 days.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- For best results, melt the butter and marshmallows on low heat!
- Use the freshest ingredients possible.
- A 7-ounce jar of marshmallow creme can be substituted for the regular marshmallows.
- Do not use margarine or diet/reduced calorie butter. They contain water which will make your treats soggy, and they will not have the same homemade flavor.
Recipe Modifications
- To make shapes: spread mixture out on a prepared baking sheet to about 1-inch thick. Allow to cool, then use cookie cutter to cut out hearts, trees, shamrocks, circles, etc.
- Substitute pink or red for Valentine’s Day, remove the heart for St. Patrick’s Day. You can use any color of gel coloring and sugar based on your party theme.
Tools used to create this recipe:
- Dutch Oven
- Silicone Spatula/Spoon
- Measuring Cups
- Green Gel Coloring
- Vanilla Extract
- 13 x 9 Baking Pan
- Light Green Sanding Sugar – colors vary between jars
- Jumbo Red Hearts
You can see the rest of my favorite kitchen tools and gadgets here in my Amazon Affiliate Page. I earn a small commission when you purchase through my links, at no cost to you, so I can keep bringing you more delicious recipes!
More delicious Grinch recipes:
- Grinch Spoon Fudge in a Jar
- Grinch Popcorn
- Grinch Puppy Chow
- Grinch Snowball Cookies
- Grinch Sugar Cookies
- Grinch Fudge Topped Brownies
- Naughty or Nice Grinch Hot Chocolate
- Grinch Hot Chocolate Bombs
- Grinch Martini
- Grinch Punch with Alcohol or Not
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Enjoy!!
Grinch Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Equipment
- 9 x 13 pan
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 cups mini marshmallows or 16 ounces regular marshmallows
- 5 drops green gel coloring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal
Instructions
- Spray a 9 x 13 x 2 baking pan with cooking spray, or brush with butter. Set aside.
- Melt butter over LOW heat in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.
- Add the marshmallows, toss to coat, and continue stirring until completely melted. Remove from heat.
- Add 4 to 5 drops green coloring and the vanilla extract, stir to completely combine. Add the crispy rice cereal and stir until well coated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and gently to spread out evenly. Tip – rub butter in between your hands so they don't stick to the marshmallow treats.
- Sprinkle with colored sanding sugar and allow to cool completely for an hour. Cut into 2-inch squares and add a jumbo red heart before serving. I used Cake Drip, but a tube of icing works as well.
Notes
- For best results, melt the butter and marshmallows on low heat!
- Use the freshest ingredients possible.
- A 7-ounce jar of marshmallow creme can be substituted for the regular marshmallows.
- Do not use margarine or diet/reduced calorie butter. They contain water which will make your treats soggy, and they will not have the same homemade flavor.
- These holiday rice krispie treats are best served the day they are made, but they will last in an air-tight container for 2 to 3 days.
- To make shapes: spread mixture out on a prepared baking sheet to about 1-inch thick. Allow to cool, then use cookie cutter to cut out hearts, trees, shamrocks, circles, etc.
- Substitute pink or red for Valentine’s Day, remove the heart for St. Patrick’s Day. You can use any color of gel coloring and sugar based on your party theme.
