Christmas Rice Krispie Squares Recipe
Introduction
These Christmas Rice Krispie Squares are a festive twist on a classic treat. They feature a rich, browned butter flavor combined with gooey marshmallows and crispy cereal for a delightful holiday snack everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (cold)
- 6 cups mini marshmallows (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
Instructions
- Step 1: Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with aluminum foil and grease it with butter to prevent sticking.
- Step 2: Place the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook until melted and beginning to brown with a nutty aroma, then remove from heat.
- Step 3: Set aside 1.5 cups of mini marshmallows. Add the remaining marshmallows to the saucepan and stir until melted. Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
- Step 4: Add the Rice Krispie cereal to the marshmallow mixture and stir until well coated.
- Step 5: Return the saucepan to low heat and mix in the reserved mini marshmallows. Stir gently until they soften slightly but do not melt completely.
- Step 6: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Press down evenly using parchment paper. Let it set until firm, about 1 hour.
- Step 7: Remove the set squares from the dish and cut into 9 pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Tips & Variations
- For an extra festive touch, mix in red and green sprinkles or chopped holiday candy before pressing into the pan.
- Use salted butter if you prefer a slightly savory balance to the sweetness, but reduce added salt to 1/8 teaspoon.
- Press the mixture firmly to ensure the squares hold together well and don’t crumble.
Storage
Store the Rice Krispie squares in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them away from heat or humidity to maintain their crisp texture. If desired, warm gently in the microwave for a few seconds before serving to soften.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
Yes, you can substitute regular marshmallows by chopping them into smaller pieces to help them melt more evenly in the mixture.
How do I prevent the butter from burning when browning it?
Keep the heat at medium and watch the butter closely. Stir frequently and remove from heat as soon as it starts turning golden brown and smells nutty to avoid burning.
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Christmas Rice Krispie Squares Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 9 squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully festive Christmas Rice Krispie Squares featuring a rich browned butter and melty marshmallow mixture combined with crispy cereal, perfect for holiday treats and easy to prepare in under an hour.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (cold)
- 6 cups mini marshmallows (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and grease it with butter to prevent sticking.
- Melt and Brown the Butter: Place the cold butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the butter melts, turns brown, and emits a nutty aroma, which should take a few minutes. Then, remove the saucepan from heat.
- Melt Most of the Marshmallows: Reserve 1.5 cups of mini marshmallows, pour the remaining marshmallows into the saucepan with the browned butter, and stir until fully melted. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt to combine.
- Add the Cereal: Incorporate the Rice Krispie cereal into the marshmallow mixture and stir until all the cereal is thoroughly coated.
- Gently Soften Reserved Marshmallows: Add the reserved mini marshmallows back into the saucepan and place it over low heat, stirring carefully until the marshmallows soften but do not fully melt, providing extra texture and chew.
- Form the Squares: Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press it down evenly using a piece of parchment paper to help with smoothness and compression.
- Set and Cut: Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for about 1 hour to harden. Once set, lift the Rice Krispie squares out of the dish using the foil and cut into 9 equal squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- For an extra festive touch, add red and green sprinkles or chopped candy canes before pressing the mixture into the pan.
- Be careful not to overheat the marshmallows after adding the reserved ones to maintain some chewiness and prevent a sticky texture.
- This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9×13-inch pan for a larger batch.
- Storing in an airtight container helps keep the squares fresh and chewy for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas Rice Krispie Squares, holiday treats, browned butter marshmallows, festive dessert, easy no bake sweets
