• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
howtomakecerealtreats.com
  • recipes
    • fun party treats
    • holiday treats
  • cookbooks
  • about
  • subscribe
  • marshmallow conversion
  • traditional flavors
  • seasonal flavors
  • kid's cereal treats
  • FAQ
menu icon
go to homepage
  • recipes
  • cookbooks
  • about
  • marshmallows
  • subscribe
  • tips for making treats
  • traditional flavors
  • fun party treats
  • holiday treats
  • kid's cereal treats
  • seasonal flavors
  • vegan and gluten-free
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • recipes
  • cookbooks
  • about
  • marshmallows
  • subscribe
  • tips for making treats
  • traditional flavors
  • fun party treats
  • holiday treats
  • kid's cereal treats
  • seasonal flavors
  • vegan and gluten-free
×

Home » Recipes » holiday treats

Grinch Rice Krispie Treats

Published: Dec 22, '19 · Modified: Mar 4, '21 · By: Beth Klosterboer · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

They say that "the Grinch's heart grew three sizes that day" after seeing the Christmas spirit in the hearts of the Whos down in Whoville. Share the love by making these Grinch Rice Krispie Treats for your family and friends.

These bright green Grinch Rice Krispie Treats will steal your hearts this Christmas.

The Grinch was a grouchy old guy until that fateful Christmas day in Whoville when his heart grew three sizes. I think the story of the Grinch reminds us all that Christmas is about sharing love and joy.

My favorite way to do that is to create something sweet to give to my family and friends. 

I've seen lots of Grinch Rice Krispie Treats this holiday season, but as I sat and watched two versions of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas this year, I was struck by the part where his heart grows three sizes so I thought it would be fun to incorporate that into my version of these Christmas Rice Krispie Treats. 

Grinch Rice Krispie Treat Video

 


 These Grinch Rice Krispie Treats are sure to steal the show this Christmas and help bring joy to even the Grinchiest people in your life.

How to make Grinch Rice Krispie Treats

These Grinch cereal treats are so easy to make but you definitely will want to start with the very best Rice Krispie Treat recipe. We taste-tested over 20 recipes to come up with the best. 

You'll need:

  • 6 tablespoons European Salted Butter (for the very best flavor)
  • 16 ounces Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallows
  • 7 cups Rice Krispies cereal*
  • heart sprinkles, in 3 different sizes

*This recipe will produce really chewy treats loaded with marshmallows. You can add one extra cup of cereal if you prefer your treats a little less chewy but don't add any more or your treats will be a bit too dry.

Why use 3 different size heart sprinkles?

I wanted to represent the Grinch's small heart growing 3 sizes on Christmas day. Here are the sprinkles I used:

You can find these heart sprinkles from Amazon. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use the links above. There are other options out there so just use what you can find. 

Let's make the treats...

Instructions:

You can make your Grinch Rice Krispie Treats using the stovetop or the microwave, but the most important thing is that you do not overheat your marshmallows, or your treats will be hard. Just heat them until 75% of them are melted then stir and smash them until the remaining pieces melt. 

Learn how to make Grinch Rice Krispie Treats using the very best cereal treat recipe, green food coloring, and heart sprinkles in three different sizes. These Christmas treats are quick and easy to make and everyone will love them!

Stovetop method:

  • Begin to melt the butter over low heat in a medium or large saucepan.
  • Add the marshmallows to the saucepan and stir. 
  • Continue to stir often, until about 75% of the marshmallows are melted.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and continue to stir, smashing the marshmallows using a rubber spatula or the back of a wooden spoon, until the marshmallows completely melt and become smooth.
  • Add green food coloring and stir. 
  • If needed continue to add more coloring until you get a really vibrant "grinchy" green color. 
  • Pour the marshmallows over the cereal and toss to combine.
  • If your cereal treats are not green enough, you can add more drops of green food coloring then mix the cereal and marshmallows until the color blends through the entire batch of treats.*
  • Pour into a well-buttered 9″X13″ pan.
  • Quickly, while the marshmallow is still warm and sticky, add sets of 3 different sized heart sprinkles on top of the treats in 7 rows of 4.
    • This will make 28 relatively square treats. If you want larger treats then add fewer sets of the hearts. 
  • Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour or so, before cutting into rectangles or squares.

*I prefer to add my coloring to the marshmallow mixture, but you'll notice in the video that I added more coloring to the cereal and marshmallow mixture. I wanted my treats to be vibrantly green so I added more coloring. It's a bit more challenging to get the color mixed in at that point but it will work with a lot of mixing. 

When you stir the coloring into the marshmallows it may look perfect but when you add the cereal and blend it all together the color will lighten quite a bit. So, make your color brighter than you want it in the end. 

a big white bowl filled with melted butter and marshmallows

Microwave Method:

  • Combine the butter and marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl.
  • Heat on high power for 1 minute then remove and stir until the melted butter blends with the marshmallows.
  • Keep stirring and smashing the marshmallows until they all melt.
  • If needed, reheat for 15-30 second increments, stirring after each until the marshmallows are fully melted.
  • Stir in the green food coloring then toss with the rice crispy cereal.
  • Spread into a well-buttered 9 by 13-inch pan.
  • Attach the heart sprinkles (3 in each of 28 squares).
  • Give the cereal treats time to cool before cutting.

NOTES:

  • Every microwave is different so use these instructions as a guide.
  • Be cautious not to overheat the marshmallows as they may burn.
  • Also if you get the marshmallows too hot you end up with hard, rather than chewy, Rice Krispie Treats.
  • Keep stirring the marshmallows to see if they will melt fully before heating them again.
  • When you watch the video below you will notice that the marshmallows do not even look melted when they come out of the microwave but with consistent stirring they do melt fully.

This Christmas serve these bright green Grinch Rice Krispie Treats. They are easy to make and are so much fun.

What if my heart sprinkles won't stick?

If your sprinkles will not stick to your Rice Krispie Treats then you can use something sticky to attach them.

  • My favorite choice would be to use Clear Piping Gel to attach the heart sprinkles to the cereal treats but you can also use green candy melts or green frosting. 
    • Dip a food-use-only paintbrush or toothpick into the piping gel, candy melts or frosting then brush a dab on a heart. 
    • Press it onto the cereal treat with the sticky stuff facing towards the treat. 

Green Grinch Cereal Treats Recipe

This Christmas serve these bright green Grinch Rice Krispie Treats. They are easy to make and are so much fun.

Grinch Rice Krispie Treats

Beth Klosterboer
Bright green cereal treats topped with 3 different heart-shaped sprinkles to represent the Grinch's small heart growing 3 sizes on Christmas day.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 28
Calories 144 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch pan

Ingredients
  

  • 6 tablespoons European salted butter
  • 16 ounces marshmallows
  • 7 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
  • green food coloring
  • heart sprinkles (in three different sizes)

Instructions
 

  • Begin to melt the butter over low heat in a medium or large saucepan.
  • Add the marshmallows to the saucepan and stir.
  • Continue to stir often, until about 75% of the marshmallows are melted.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and continue to stir, smashing the marshmallows using a rubber spatula or the back of a wooden spoon, until the marshmallows completely melt and become smooth.
  • Add green food coloring and stir.
  • If needed continue to add more coloring until you get a really vibrant "grinchy" green color.
  • Pour the marshmallows over the cereal and toss to combine.
  • If your cereal treats are not green enough, you can add more drops of green food coloring then mix the cereal and marshmallows until the color blends through the entire batch of treats.*
  • Pour into a well-buttered 9″X13″ pan.
  • Quickly, while the marshmallow is still warm and sticky, add sets of 3 different sized heart sprinkles on top of the treats in 7 rows of 4.
  • This will make 28 relatively square treats. If you want larger treats then add fewer sets of the hearts.
  • Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour or so, before cutting into rectangles or squares.
Keyword Christmas Rice Krispie Treats, Grinch Rice Krispie Treats

other Rice Krispie treats you may like

Cake Batter Funfetti Rice Krispie Treats recipe image

Funfetti Rice Krispie treats

 

Rice Crispy Treat Unicorns on rainbow paper straws on a blue background

Unicorn Rice Krispie Treats

 

Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treats Recipe Image

chocolate-dipped Rice Krispie Treats 

 

More holiday treats

  • decorated egg rice crispy treats with icing
    decorated egg Rice Krispie Treats
  • a variety of pink rice krispie treats including light pink, bright pink, and neon pink
    Pink Rice Krispie Treats
  • Red Rice krispie treats with food coloring
    red Rice Krispie Treats
  • rice krispie treats ghosts
    Rice Krispie Treat Ghosts
We love creating easy Rice Krispie Treats recipes to share with you and hope you find our tips and instructions helpful. ___ - Beth and Meaghan
rate the recipe Did you make this recipe and think it was great or do have any questions? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe using stars (5 stars is the best!)   

Reader Interactions

Please leave a comment. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Beth and Meaghan from How To Make Cereal Treats

Hi, we are recipe developers, food photographers, and cookbook authors who love sharing creative cereal treat recipes with you.
Read more about us →

popular recipes

  • BEST Rice Krispie Treats Recipe You'll Ever Try!
  • marshmallow fluff rice kripsie treats with marshmallow cream showing inside the treats
    marshmallow fluff rice krispie treats
  • Fruity Pebbles Rice Crispy Treats
  • chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
    chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

Easter Recipes

  • Easter bunny rice krispie treat recipe image.
    Rice Krispie Treat Bunnies
  • Rice Krispie Treat Chicks Easter Recipe
    Easter Rice Krispie Treat Chicks
  • Easter egg Rice Krispie Treats
    Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats
  • nest Rice Krispie treats for Easter and spring
    Rice Krispie nests

Buy our cookbook

How To Make Cereal Treats cookbook image

Footer

↑ back to top

use policies

  • privacy policy
  • photo-use policy
  • terms of service

join us

  • Subscribe (newsletter)
  • our online courses

contact

  • contact
  • about us
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 How To Make Cereal Treats