There’s something about the crispy, chewy charm of a classic Rice Krispie treat that hits just right during the festive season. This Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe takes that nostalgic favorite and turns it all the way up with colorful holiday M&M’s, sprinkles, and a drizzle of creamy white chocolate. It’s a joyful twist that’s both playful and delicious—a surefire way to light up any holiday gathering!

The image shows a close-up of two thick square treats, layered with light tan crispy cereal mixed with white marshmallow, topped with red and green candy-coated chocolates and red and green sprinkles. A white drizzle flows across the top of the treats in thin, uneven lines. The treats rest on brown parchment paper on a white marbled surface, with extra red and green candies scattered around. Below, a white bowl is filled with more red and green candy-coated chocolates, adding a festive touch. 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

Okay, I’m going to be honest—this isn’t just your run-of-the-mill Rice Krispie treat. Adding in festive M&M’s and sprinkles with a glossy white chocolate drizzle instantly makes it feel special and holiday-ready. Every bite is a perfect blend of crunch, sweetness, and a pop of color, which makes it hard to stop at just one.

Festive and Fun: The holiday M&M’s and sprinkles make these treats visually festive and super fun to eat.
Easy to Customize: Swap colors or candy types to match any holiday or party theme effortlessly.
Perfect Texture: Crispy cereal meets gooey marshmallows and a smooth white chocolate drizzle that makes every bite memorable.
Great for Sharing: These treats are crowd-pleasers at get-togethers and simple enough to make with kids.

The image shows several square pieces of rice cereal treats arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each treat has a pale beige base made from puffed rice cereal held together by a sticky substance, with visible green and red candy-coated chocolates mixed inside. The top layer is decorated with a white drizzle and scattered whole red and green candy-coated chocolates. The treats have a textured, slightly rough surface and appear soft but firm. A white bowl filled with red and green candy-coated chocolates sits in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is a lovely mix of simple classics with a few festive flairs that truly elevate it. Using quality marshmallows and fresh cereal makes a huge difference in texture, and the holiday M&M’s add that playful burst of color and chocolate that’s perfect for the season.

Flat lay of six tablespoons of salted butter in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl filled with mini white marshmallows, a small white ceramic bowl with pure vanilla extract, a large white ceramic bowl heaped with crispy rice cereal, a small white ceramic bowl holding colorful holiday M&M's in red, green, yellow, and orange, a small white ceramic bowl of red and green holiday sprinkles in the shape of jimmies, and a small white ceramic bowl containing melted creamy white chocolate wafers, all arranged in perfect symmetry with realistic proportions, 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 create that perfect sticky base to hold everything together.
Mini marshmallows: They melt smoothly for gooey, chewy texture—fresh marshmallows are key here!
Pure vanilla extract: Just a splash to enhance the marshmallow flavor and add warmth.
Rice Krispies cereal: Provides the iconic crunch and lightness for the treats.
Holiday M&M’s: Chocolatey bursts of color that instantly make these treats festive and fun.
Holiday sprinkles: Adds texture, extra color, and that cheerful holiday vibe.
White chocolate melting wafers: For drizzling on top and adding a smooth, creamy finish that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy base.

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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

I love mixing it up with this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe, and you absolutely should, too! Play around with different candies, sprinkles, or even add some chopped nuts or dried fruit if you're feeling adventurous. It’s a recipe that’s all about celebrating, so make it your own.

Variation: One year, I swapped out the holiday M&M’s for peppermint candy bits—it gave the treats a cool minty zip that was a total hit at the office party.
Dietary Mod: For a gluten-free version, just be sure to grab gluten-free Rice Krispies and double-check your candy ingredients.
Seasonal Twist: Try swapping the sprinkles and candies for Halloween, Valentine’s Day, or even Fourth of July colors—it’s incredibly versatile!

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients

Before you start melting anything, line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. This makes clean-up a breeze and helps you lift the treats out easily when they’re set. Gather all your ingredients—having everything ready keeps the process seamless.

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows Gently

I melt the butter over medium heat first, then add in all but one cup of the marshmallows. Turning the heat down to low here is crucial—marshmallows can scorch quickly if the temperature is too high, and you don’t want that burnt taste. Stir consistently until everything is smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Add Vanilla, Cereal, and Fold in the Fun

Taking the pan off heat, I stir in pure vanilla extract for that warm depth of flavor. Then gently fold in the Rice Krispies cereal and the last cup of marshmallows, which adds a little softness and texture. Next comes the festive part: folding in one cup of M&M’s and all the sprinkles—this is where the treats really start to come alive with color.

Step 4: Press Into the Pan and Add the Final Touches

Pour the mixture into your prepared pan and press it down very gently with your fingertips—using too much pressure can make the treats dense, so handle with care! Drizzle melted white chocolate over the top and scatter the remaining quarter cup of M&M’s and a few extra sprinkles for that irresistible finishing touch. Let it set at room temperature for about an hour before slicing.

Top Tip

After making this holiday treat dozens of times, I’ve picked up a few tricks that really make a difference for success and flavor. These tips will save you frustration and make sure your treats come out perfectly every time.

Use Fresh Marshmallows: Old marshmallows can lose their fluffiness and won’t melt as well, so always check freshness for best gooey results.
Low and Slow Melting: Keep your heat low when melting marshmallows to avoid burning and graininess — patience pays off here.
Gentle Pressing: Press the treats gently into the pan; over-packing makes them hard, and they lose that classic airy texture.
White Chocolate Drizzle: Don’t skip this step — the white chocolate adds a beautiful, creamy contrast and makes the treats look extra festive and fancy.

How to Serve Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Holiday Rice Krispie Treats - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding a handful of extra sprinkles and some colorful holiday M&M’s on top right before serving. It makes the presentation pop and gives people that “ooooh” moment when they see them. If you really want to glam it up, a light dusting of edible glitter or crushed candy canes adds a nice festive shimmer.

Side Dishes

These treats pair wonderfully with warm drinks like hot cocoa or spiced cider. I also like serving them alongside gingerbread cookies or a simple fruit platter to balance out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve served these treats cut into bite-sized squares arranged on a festive platter surrounded by miniature ornaments or seasonal greenery. They also look incredible stacked in clear jars tied with ribbon—a lovely gift idea that always impresses friends and neighbors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

My go-to is storing these Holiday Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them fresh and chewy for up to a week. I usually layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick together, which makes grabbing a square super easy.

Freezing

Truth is, these freeze beautifully. I wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and stash them in a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready for a treat, I just thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes. The texture is still great, and the convenience is unbeatable!

Reheating

If you want to warm them up a bit, popping a treat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds does the trick without turning them soggy. This softens the marshmallow and white chocolate drizzle nicely, making them even more indulgent.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute regular marshmallows for mini marshmallows?

Yes! Regular marshmallows will work just fine. Just chop them into smaller pieces so they melt evenly and blend well with the cereal. Mini marshmallows just tend to melt a bit faster and more uniformly.

Can I use other cereals besides Rice Krispies?

You can, but Rice Krispies have the ideal light, crispy texture for this treat. If you use a puffed cereal that's more dense, the texture will be different—possibly heavier. Still delicious, but keep that in mind!

How do I prevent the marshmallow mixture from getting too sticky?

Using a bit of butter on your hands or spatula when pressing the mixture into the pan helps a lot—it keeps the marshmallow from sticking and makes spreading much easier. Also, pressing gently rather than firmly helps maintain the right texture.

Can I make these treats ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! They keep well for up to a week at room temperature if stored properly. You can also freeze them for longer storage and thaw before the event. Just be sure to drizzle any white chocolate topping close to serving day for the best appearance.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, making this Holiday Rice Krispie Treats Recipe always brings a little extra joy to my kitchen and the people I share it with. It’s simple, festive, and just the right amount of sweet with that lovely white chocolate finish. I hope you have as much fun making and eating these as I do—I can’t think of a better treat to brighten up your holiday celebrations!