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Home » Recipes » traditional flavors

lemon Rice Krispie Treats

Modified: Jul 19, '21 · Published: Jul 8, '21 · By: Meaghan Mountford · Commission earned on paid or sponsored links.

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Lemon Rice Krispie Treats, with a refreshing tang and just the right amount of sweetness, is a delicious summer dessert. 

Video how-tos included! 

lemon Rice Krispie treats with candy drizzle and lemon zest

 

lemon Rice Krispie Treats 

Looking for a yummy, easy, no-bake treat this summer? Try these lemon Rice Krispie Treats. They are easy to make and so delicious. 

We added lemon extract to our BEST Rice Krispie treat recipe and topped with a candy drizzle and lemon zest. 

lemon Rice Krispie treats with candy topping and lemon zest

 

how to make lemon Rice Krispie treats

You will need:

RICE KRISPIES CEREAL 

Use the classic cereal or any store-brand version. 

 

MARSHMALLOWS 

You will need 10 ounces of marshmallows. Different brands have different densities, so it’s best to use a scale or the weight printed on the bag as a guide, but in general, 10 ounces of marshmallows is 40 regular size OR 6 cups of mini. 

 

BUTTER

For best results, we recommend using European-style, salted butter. 

 

LEMON EXTRACT

We recommend using real lemon extract, not flavoring. For a mild lemon taste, use ¾ teaspoon. For a stronger lemon taste, use up to 1 ½ teaspoons. 

 

VANILLA CANDY COATING

Many supermarkets carry vanilla candy coating. Craft stores sell white candy melts.  You'll need 3 ounces. 

 

LEMON ZEST 

You'll need the zest of at least one lemon. If you'd like to add more, use 1 ½ or 2 lemons. You may use a box grater or traditional lemon zester, though I prefer to use this citrus zester cuts longer bits of zest. 

 

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED:

  • 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan
  • cooking spray
  • non-stick foil 
  • disposable decorating bag OR a Ziploc bag 

stacked lemon Rice Krispie treats , no-bake summer dessert idea

 

SUPPLIES AND INGREDIENTS 

 
Kellogg's Rice Krispies Col...Shop on Amazon365 by Whole Foods Market, ...Shop on AmazonKerrygold Pure Irish Butter...Shop on Amazon365 by Whole Foods Market, ...Shop on Amazon
Log House CandiQuik Candy C...Shop on AmazonWilton Perfect Results Prem...Shop on AmazonPam Original No-Stick Cooki...Shop on AmazonReynolds Wrap Non-Stick Alu...Shop on Amazon
Wilton 12-Inch Disposable C...Shop on Amazon

 

instructions 

TIP: Spray your bowls and spatulas with non-stick cooking spray. 

Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and add 4 ⅔ cups Rice Krispies. 

Line your 8 or 9-inch baking pan with non-stick foil. 

 

step one: prepare your cereal treats

In a large, microwave-safe bowl, place 10 ounces of marshmallows and 4 tablespoons salted, European butter. 

bowl of marshmallows and butter for lemon Rice Krispie treats

 

Microwave for 1 minute on high. Stir, using the residual heat to fully melt the mixture. If needed, microwave for an additional 30 seconds. 

Be sure to keep your eye on the marshmallows! They will puff up.

Remember, 10 ounces of marshmallows equals 6 cups of mini marshmallows (usually 1 bag) OR about 40 regular marshmallows.

Stir very well until smooth. Add 1 teaspoon lemon extract. (For milder flavor, add ¾ teaspoons and for strong flavor, add 1 ½ teaspoons.)

mixing marshmallows and butter for lemon Rice Krispie treats

 

Scrape the mixture over the cereal and stir well, coating all of the cereal. 

Transfer to the prepared baking pan and pat evenly with a spatula. 

lemon Rice Krispie treats in baking pan

 

step two: add your topping 

Have ready the zest of 1 to 2 lemons. 

In a microwave-safe bowl, add 3 ounces of vanilla candy coating (coarsely chopped) or candy melts. 

lemon zest for lemon Rice Krispie treats

bowl of candy coating for lemon Rice Krispie treats

 

Melt according to package directions. I microwave for 1 minute at 50 percent power. 

Stir very well, using the residual heat to fully melt the candy. 

When cool to the touch, transfer to the decorating bag or Ziploc bag and snip the tip. 

Pipe the candy back and forth across the treats. Immediately sprinkle lemon zest on top. 

Let set for 2 hours (you may chill in the refrigerator, too). 

Cut into 16 squares. 

 

pan of lemon Rice Krispie treats

 

how can I add lemon flavoring to Rice Krispie treats? 

For this recipe, we use real lemon extract and the zest of a lemon. 

You may also add the juice of one lemon (about 2 tablespoons) instead of the lemon extract. 

Some recipes call for sprinkling in instant lemonade powder, although I think that method would be too sweet for my taste. 

 

 

 

 

 printable recipe 

image of lemon Rice Krispie treats with lemon zest

lemon Rice Krispie treats

Meaghan Mountford
Delicious, easy, no-bake summer dessert idea: Lemon Rice Krispie Treats
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 minutes mins
Chill for 2 hours hrs
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16 treats
Calories 143 kcal

Equipment

  • 8 or 9 inch square baking pan
  • non-stick foil
  • cooking spray
  • disposable decorating bag OR Ziploc bag

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons salted European butter
  • 10 ounces marshmallows (about 40 regular OR 6 cups mini)
  • 4 ⅔ cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • 1 teaspoon pure lemon extract (¾ teaspoon for milder flavor, 1 ½ teaspoon for stronger flavor)
  • 3 ounces vanilla candy coating or candy melts
  • zest from 1 to 2 lemons

Instructions
 

  • Coat a large bowl with cooking spray and add the Rice Krispies. Set aside.
  • Line the baking pan with non-stick foil.
  • In a large, microwave-safe bowl, place marshmallows and butter, sliced. Microwave for 1 minute on high. Stir, using the residual heat to fully melt the mixture. If needed, microwave for an additional 30 seconds. Stir until smooth.
  • Add lemon extract and stir.
  • Scrape the mixture over the cereal and stir well, coating all of the cereal.  Transfer to the prepared baking pan and pat evenly with a spatula. 
  • Zest at least one lemon and set aside.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl, add the candy coating (coarsely chopped) or the candy melts. Melt according to package directions. I microwave for 1 minute at 50 percent power.  Stir very well, using the residual heat to fully melt the candy.
  • When cool to the touch, transfer to the decorating bag or Ziploc bag and snip the tip.  Pipe the candy back and forth across the treats. Immediately sprinkle lemon zest on top. 
  • Let set for 2 hours (you may chill in the refrigerator, too). 
  • Cut into 16 squares. 

Notes

TIP: Spray your bowls and spatulas with cooking spray to make things easier. 
Keyword lemon Rice Krispie Treats

stacked lemon Rice Krispie treats no-bake dessert

image of lemon Rice Krispie treats with lemon zest

 

If you like these cereal treats, you might like: 

caramel Rice Krispie Treats 

 

Neapolitan Rice Krispie TReats

Neapolitan cereal treats 

 

OREO Cookie Rice Krispie Treats

Oreo Rice Krispie Treats 

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Beth and Meaghan from How To Make Cereal Treats

Meet Beth and Meaghan. We are recipe developers, food photographers, and cookbook authors who love sharing creative cereal treat recipes with you.
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Beth and Meaghan from How To Make Cereal Treats

Meet Beth and Meaghan. 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!
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Upcoming Holiday Recipes

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How To Make Rice Krispie Treats

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  • Marshmallows drawing with cute smiley faces.
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  • cut Rice Krispie Treats using cookie cutters to make shapes
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Buy our cookbook

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