Reindeer Rice Krispies Fun Holiday Treats
The smell of melted marshmallows and butter is a pretty good indicator that something fun is about to happen in the kitchen. These Reindeer Rice Krispies treats are more than just a sweet snack; they’re a little bit of holiday magic, shaped into adorable reindeer faces that are always a hit with kids and adults alike. They start with the classic Rice Krispie treat base, but we’re going to add some festive flair to transform them into edible woodland creatures. It’s a straightforward process, perfect for a family baking session. Ingredients: 6 TBSP butter 1 10 oz marshmallows 6 c. Rice Krispies cereal 1 pkg candy eyeballs 1 pkg M&M candies (red) 12 oz dark cocoa candy melts Making the Reindeer Faces The foundation of our reindeer is, of course, the classic Rice Krispie treat mixture. This part is simple and quick. You’ll want to have everything ready to go before you start melting the marshmallows, as the process moves fast once things start coming together. Step 1: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows In a large saucepan, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Once the butter is fully melted, add the 10 ounces of marshmallows. Continue to stir constantly over low heat until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth. It’s important to keep the heat low here. If the heat is too high, the marshmallows can scorch, which will give your treats an unpleasant burnt flavor and a darker color than you might want. Keep stirring until you have a smooth, homogenous mixture that’s ready for the cereal. This gooey base is what holds everything together, so don’t rush this part. The smoother it is, the better your final Reindeer Rice Krispies will hold their shape.
Reindeer Rice Krispies
The smell of melted marshmallows and butter is a pretty good indicator that something fun is about to happen in the kitchen. These Reindeer Rice Krispies treats are more than just a sweet snack; they’re a little bit of holiday magic, shaped into adorable reindeer faces that are always a hit with kids and adults alike. They start with the classic Rice Krispie treat base, but we’re going to add some festive flair to transform them into edible woodland creatures. It’s a straightforward process, perfect for a family baking session.
Ingredients:
- 6 TBSP butter
- 1 10 oz marshmallows
- 6 c. Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 pkg candy eyeballs
- 1 pkg M&M candies (red)
- 12 oz dark cocoa candy melts
Making the Reindeer Faces
The foundation of our reindeer is, of course, the classic Rice Krispie treat mixture. This part is simple and quick. You’ll want to have everything ready to go before you start melting the marshmallows, as the process moves fast once things start coming together.
Step 1: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows
In a large saucepan, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Once the butter is fully melted, add the 10 ounces of marshmallows. Continue to stir constantly over low heat until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth. It’s important to keep the heat low here. If the heat is too high, the marshmallows can scorch, which will give your treats an unpleasant burnt flavor and a darker color than you might want. Keep stirring until you have a smooth, glossy mixture.
Step 2: Combine with Cereal
Once the marshmallow mixture is smooth and ready, remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately add the 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal to the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a large, sturdy spoon or a rubber spatula, gently stir everything together until the cereal is evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture. Be careful not to overmix, as this can crush the cereal and make your treats tough. You want to ensure every piece of cereal has a nice coating. Work quickly at this stage; the mixture will start to set as it cools.
Step 3: Shape the Reindeer Heads
Now it’s time to get your hands a little sticky! Lightly grease your hands with a little butter or cooking spray, or line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take about 1/4 cup of the Rice Krispie mixture and press it into a rough circle or oval shape, about 1/2 inch thick. This will be the head of your reindeer. You want them to be a manageable size for decorating and for little hands to hold. Place these shaped heads onto your prepared baking sheet. You should be able to get about 10-12 reindeer heads from this batch. Let them cool and firm up for at least 15-20 minutes. They don’t need to be rock hard, but firm enough to handle without falling apart.
Step 4: Decorate the Reindeer Faces
This is where the real fun begins! You’ll need your candy eyeballs, red M&M candies, and the dark cocoa candy melts. You can melt the candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl according to the package directions (usually in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth). You can also melt them in a double boiler. Once melted, you have a couple of ways to attach the decorations.
For the eyes, you can either dab a tiny bit of melted candy melt onto the back of each candy eyeball and press it onto the Rice Krispie head, or you can use the melted candy melts to pipe small dots where the eyes should go and then place the eyeballs on the dots.
For the nose, press one red M&M candy into the center of each reindeer face. This gives them their classic Rudolph look. If you want to add antlers, you can carefully pipe small V-shapes using the melted candy melts above the eyes, or you can break small pretzel pieces to resemble antlers and insert them into the top of the Rice Krispie head before it fully hardens.
Step 5: Add the Antlers (Optional but Recommended!)
While the candy melts are still warm and pliable, you can add antlers. One easy method is to use the melted dark cocoa candy melts. You can pipe them directly onto the reindeer heads using a piping bag with a small tip, or even a Ziploc bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Draw two small “V” shapes above the eyes for each reindeer. Another option, if you want a more structured antler, is to use small pretzel pieces. Break them into antler shapes and carefully insert them into the top of the Rice Krispie head while the treat is still slightly soft. If the heads have hardened too much, you can warm them slightly with a hairdryer on a low setting to make them pliable enough to insert the pretzels. Be careful not to melt the treats completely.
Allow the candy melts to set completely. This usually takes about 15-30 minutes at room temperature, or you can speed it up by placing the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. Once set, your adorable reindeer are ready to be enjoyed! These are best eaten within a day or two of making them for the freshest texture. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Conclusion:
These Reindeer Rice Krispies are a fantastic way to bring some festive cheer to your kitchen. They’re simple enough for little hands to help with and impressive enough to be a hit at any holiday gathering. The combination of the chewy, crispy treats with the sweet chocolate coating and candy decorations makes them irresistible. They are a delightful nod to a classic treat with a fun, seasonal twist. Making them is a joyful activity that creates delicious memories. Serve them on a platter at a holiday party, pack them in lunchboxes for a special surprise, or just enjoy them as a sweet afternoon treat during the festive season. You can even get creative with other candy decorations for different characters. For a variation, try using white chocolate melts for the coating, or add a tiny bit of food coloring to them before dipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these Reindeer Rice Krispies ahead of time?
Yes, you absolutely can. Once the chocolate has set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Placing parchment paper between layers can prevent sticking.
My Rice Krispie mixture is too sticky, what did I do wrong?
This usually happens if the marshmallows weren’t fully melted and smooth, or if you added the cereal while the mixture was still too hot. Make sure to stir the marshmallows until completely dissolved and let the mixture cool slightly before adding the cereal. Pressing them into the pan too hard can also make them stickier. Use lightly buttered hands or a spatula.
Reindeer Rice Krispies Treats
Festive and fun Reindeer Rice Krispies treats perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients
-
6 tablespoons butter
-
10 ounces marshmallows
-
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
-
1 package candy eyeballs
-
1 package red M&M’s candies
-
12 ounces dark cocoa candy melts
Instructions
-
Step 1
Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat. -
Step 2
Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth. -
Step 3
Remove from heat and stir in Rice Krispies cereal until well coated. -
Step 4
Let cool slightly. Shape mixture into small oval “reindeer heads” and place on wax paper. -
Step 5
Melt dark cocoa candy melts according to package directions. -
Step 6
Dip the “reindeer heads” into the melted candy melts, leaving a small area at the top plain for the face. Let excess drip off. -
Step 7
While the candy coating is still wet, press two red M&M’s for the nose and two candy eyeballs for the eyes. -
Step 8
Allow to set completely before serving.
Important Information
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
Allergy Information
Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
