These sweet and colorful Lucky Charms treats are so much fun to make with my kids. And I only need 4 ingredients and 15 minutes! I’ve made so many Rice Krispies Treat recipes, and using Lucky Charms cereal is the perfect swap for St. Patrick’s Day. It gives a magical rainbow twist to classic marshmallow cereal bars, and they taste so delicious!
Lucky Charms Rice Krispies Treats
My chocolate Rice Krispies treats are an all-time favorite at my house, and I’ve perfected my gooey microwave Rice Krispie treats too. There’s really no occasion that doesn’t have its own special marshmallow treat recipe around here. They’re super simple, quick to throw together with a few ingredients, and require no baking. My kids love helping me make them with different cereals, and this might be their favorite variety yet!
Swapping out the typical Rice Krispies cereal for Lucky Charms cereal turns these homemade treat bars into the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day snack. The colorful marshmallows add a festive look, and an extra sweet and chewy texture. These aren’t as airy as rice cereal treats, but they are just as tasty! If you’re looking for Leprechaun treats to make for St. Paddy’s Day, these are a must.
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Avoid a Sticky Mess!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about making marshmallow and cereal treats, it’s that things can get a little sticky. To keep things clean, I use a wooden spoon coated with oil or non-stick spray while stirring and melting the marshmallows. I use the same spoon to flatten the cereal mixture into the pan. And when it’s time to press the marshmallows on top, I add a little non-stick spray to my hand, or use a food-safe glove.
Lucky Charms Cereal Treats Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Pan
Ingredients
- ¾ cup salted butter (1½ sticks)
- 6 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract optional
- 6 cups Lucky Charms Cereal *
- 1 cup Lucky Charms marshmallows *
Instructions
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat.¾ cup salted butter
- Add the mini marshmallows and vanilla, and stir until melted.6 cups mini marshmallows, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Remove pan from the heat, and stir in the cereal using an oiled wooden spoon or rubber spatula.6 cups Lucky Charms Cereal
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish
- Sprinkle on the Lucky Charms marshmallows, pressing down lightly to make sure that they stick.1 cup Lucky Charms marshmallows
- Let treats cool and set up for about 30 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift them out of the pan once cooled.
- Slice treats into squares, and enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to line your pan with parchment before adding the mixture to make removal & cleanup easy.
- When adding the Lucky Charms marshmallows on top, don’t press down on the mixture too hard or you might crush the cereal. Press lightly just so that they stick as they cool.
- The mixture is super sticky, so use a spoon for the most part if you can. Before you press the mixture into the pan, rub your hands with a little oil, and this will stop them from sticking to you.
Ingredient Variations & Swaps
Cereal treats are so easy and so versatile–which is why I have so many versions in my recipe book! Here are some swaps and flavor changes you can make without recipe adjustments.
- Plain Cheerios and mini rainbow marshmallows are an easy swap that will give you the same texture.
- Use Rice Krispies cereal if you prefer the classic texture, and simply press Lucky Charms marshmallows on top. Bags of only marshmallows are widely available.
- Use Chocolate Lucky Charms, or any of their special varieties, for a twist on these treat bars.
- Melt white chocolate chips in the microwave, then drizzle on top, dip the treats, or pour a layer into the tray before pressing in the cereal mixture.
How to Make Lucky Charms Cereal Marshmallow Treats Step-by-Step
Prep: Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Make the sheets long enough to stick out over the sides, so you can use them to lift the bars out of the pan when they’re done. Gather the short list of ingredients for these Lucky Charms bars. I like buying a box of the cereal with marshmallows, AND a bag of the marshmallows only. That way, it’s easy to use the cereal in the treat mixture and have plenty of marshmallow pieces to stick on top. That being said, you can just separate about 1/2-1 cup of the marshmallows from the cereal, and set them aside for later.
Melt the Marshmallows: In a large pot set over medium heat, melt ¾ cup (1 1/2 sticks) of salted butter. Once melted, add 6 cups of mini marshmallows and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Continue stirring until the marshmallows are fully melted. The vanilla is optional, but I like the subtle flavor it adds.
Stir in the Cereal: Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in 6 cups of Lucky Charms cereal using an oiled wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Mix until the cereal is fully coated.
Top with Marshmallows: Press the marshmallow and cereal mixture evenly into the prepared baking tray. Then sprinkle about 1 cup of Lucky Charms marshmallows on top. Use your hand or the back of a spoon to gently press the marshmallows into the cereal, so that they stick.
Set: Let Lucky Charms cereal treats set for about 30 minutes before slicing. Everything will meld and stick together as the marshmallow mixture cools. Use a sharp knife to cut the treats into squares, and enjoy!
How to Store
Store Lucky Charms rice krispie treats in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 weeks. I recommend using parchment paper to wrap individual treats, or separate layers if stacked, before freezing. Enjoy at room temperature.
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