Grinch Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Course: Bars, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 10

Chill Time: 20

Total Time: 45

Servings: squares

Calories: 208kcal

Author: Becky Hardin

These Grinch Rice Krispie treats are soft, chewy, and bright green for the holidays. They come together in minutes and get their festive look from melted green candy and heart sprinkles. A fun, kid-friendly Christmas treat that always disappears fast.

Print Recipe

US Customary - Metric

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
9x13 Baking Pan

Ingredients

10 ounces mini marshmallows (1 bag)*
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (½ stick)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
5½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
14 drops green food coloring **
12 ounces green melting chocolate
1 teaspoon coconut oil
2 tablespoons heart sprinkles ***

Instructions

Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter. Set aside.
In a large saucepan set over medium-low heat, combine the marshmallows and butter. Cook until the marshmallows are melted, stirring occasionally.
10 ounces mini marshmallows, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Mix the vanilla extract and food coloring into the melted marshmallow mixture.
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 14 drops green food coloring
Once all of the marshmallows are green, add the Rice Krispies and stir until the cereal is coated.
5½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, spray your hands with nonstick spray, and press the Rice Krispies mixture into an even layer.
Place the green melting chocolate and coconut oil into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30-second intervals until the chocolate melts, making sure to stir after every 30 seconds.
12 ounces green melting chocolate, 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Pour the chocolate over the Rice Krispies and spread it in an even layer.
Sprinkle the hearts all over the top of the chocolate. Place the pan in the refrigerator and allow the chocolate to set for 15 to 20 minutes.
2 tablespoons heart sprinkles
Cut into squares and enjoy.

Notes

*I prefer mini marshmallows since I have found that they melt more evenly, but any kind will work.

**I recommend using liquid food coloring, as it's the easiest to use. Using 14 drops, as instructed in this recipe, will give you the perfect shade of green. If you use gel food coloring, you will want to use less.

***Red heart-shaped sprinkles are perfect for these Grinch treats. They are readily available in the baking aisle of many grocery stores and are easy to find online. Just search 'heart sprinkles' or 'jumbo heart sprinkles'.

Tips:

If you want to skip the "cooking" and focus on the decorating, you can get some Rice Krispie treats at the store. Add the green chocolate, red hearts, and any other candies you want to use to decorate!
Greasing the pan with butter is a must! This will make it easy to get those sticky Rice Krispie treats out after they set.
Melt the marshmallows on low to medium heat--high heat makes the treats firm instead of chewy. If the mixture starts bubbling, the heat is too high.
Add the food coloring when the marshmallows are fully melted but still hot. The color will look slightly lighter in the pot, but don’t add more until it’s cooled a bit.
When it’s time to press the Rice Krispies mixture into the pan, lightly spray your hands with non-stick spray first. Trust me, this will make your life so much easier.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, and give it a good stir between each interval so it melts evenly.
Add the heart sprinkles while the chocolate is still glossy so they bond to the top instead of falling off later.
Let the treats chill in the fridge so the chocolate can set.
Cut them into squares or however you like. If you have some holiday cookie cutters, you can shape them into little Christmas trees!
You could also form the mixture into bite-sized balls for a unique way to serve these treats.

Microwave Instructions: Melt the butter and marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl (1 minute, then 20-30 second bursts, until smooth). Stir in the vanilla and green food coloring, then fold in the cereal. Press into the pan and top with the chocolate as directed.

Make-Ahead: If making ahead, wrap the entire slab tightly in plastic before cutting. Slice right before serving for the freshest texture.

Storage: Store Grinch Rice Krispie treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition