10 Delicious Rice Krispies Treats Recipe Variations

Rice Krispies treats are a dessert staple, but sometimes you need a way to add zing to your treats and step out of the plain Krispies rut.  The following are 10 ways to make your treats even tastier and more appealing to the eye.  These ideas can be mixed and matched to create the best treats ever.  The recipes are so simple that even the littlest chefs will still be able to help make them

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons of butter or margarine

1 Package of marshmallows (10 ounce bag) or 4 cups of miniature marshmallows

6 Cups of Rice Krispies cereal

Large pan

Spatula

Baking pan (13 x 9 x 2)

1. Melt the butter in a large pan over low heat.

2. When the butter is melted, slowly stir in the marshmallows. Keep stirring until marshmallows are completely melted. Remove from heat.

3. Using a spoon or spatula coated with butter or cooking spray, gently stir in the Rice Krispies cereal. Mix until the cereal is well covered with the marshmallows

4. Begin spooning the mixture into a baking pan coated with butter or cooking spray (wax paper can be used as well) while it is still warm. Press the mixture into the desired shape. If the mixture begins to stick to the spoon, recoat it with butter or cooking spray.

5. Allow it to cool and then enjoy!

The butter and marshmallows can be cooked in the microwave as well. Cook for approximately 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then follow directions 3-5.

Nutella is a spread made from hazelnuts and cocoa. It tastes chocolaty with a hint of nut. The texture and consistency is somewhat similar to peanut butter.

There are several different ways to make Nutella Rice Krispies Treats. You can make basic Rice Krispies Treats and then spread some Nutella over the top. You could also dip the Rice Krispies treats in Nutella.

If you want the Nutella flavor throughout the treat, add 1/2 a cup of Nutella into the mixture when you are melting the marshmallows in step 2 of the basic Rice Krispies treats.

Add fun to your treats by topping them with sprinkles. It works best if you add the sprinkles when the treats are still warm. You can also mix in sprinkles when you add the cereal to the marshmallows.

Pick sprinkles to match a theme or season. Sprinkles come in an array of shapes, colors, and textures, so you can create a seasonal treat in a very simple way.

Craving something chocolaty? Substitute Cocoa Krispies for regular Rice Krispies. Follow the basic Rice Krispies treats recipe.

For a chocolate overload use Cocoa Krispies and add chocolate chips. Pour chocolate syrup over the top and add chocolate sprinkles.

Before making the treats, place the chocolate chips in the freezer. The chips will need to be frozen or they will melt. Add the chocolate chips when you are mixing the cereal.

If you are in the mood for something fruity, substitute Fruity Pebbles for the Rice Krispies. Follow the same basic recipe for normal treats only with the Pebbles instead of the Krispies. Or you can mix ½ Fruity Pebbles and ½ Rice Krispies for a taste that’s fruity without being as sweet.

Add appeal to your treats by making them in fun shapes using cookie cutters shaped in whatever theme you want. First follow the basic treats recipe. When the treats have cooled somewhat, you can use the cookie cutters coated with butter or cooking spray to cut out shapes. Decorate them for even more eye catching fun.

Make the treat easy to hold by adding a Popsicle stick or a kabob stick. You can add slices of fruit as well as pieces of the treats to turn it into a dessert shish kabob. Insert the stick while the treats are slightly warm.  Make sure the piece you are putting on the stick is at least a couple of inches big or it might be too flimsy to stay attached.

Mix in pieces of candy to make the treats sweeter. You can buy crushed candy for baking or you can crush a candy bar yourself. Most candy will work well. Butterscotch, toffee, and caramel pieces also taste great. If you want it melted in with the treats, you can add it along with the cereal when you are making the treats. If you don’t want the candy melted, put it in the freezer an hour or two before making the treats. Candy can be sprinkled on the top of the treats as well. Let the treats cool slightly before sprinkling candy on the top.

Make your treats peanut buttery for a more protein-packed treat. After the marshmallows are melted, add ½ a cup of peanut butter. Remove from heat and stir until it is well melted. Then add the cereal and follow the rest of the basic recipe.

Spread jelly on top if desired for a sweet PB & J snack.

For a chocolaty peanut butter taste, use Cocoa Krispies and add the peanut butter.

Add fruit to the treats for a fresh taste.  To make the cherry treats, you will need ½ a cup of drained, chopped sweet (maraschino) cherries.  Follow the basic Treats recipe adding the cherries after the cereal. 

Coconuts and chopped peanuts compliment this treat also.  They are added at the same time as the cherries. 

Other fruits such as raisins can be substituted as well.  Dried fruits work best.  Another way to prepare fruit treats is to line the pan with fruit and then add the basic treat mix on top.