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Home » Recipes » Christmas

Reindeer Rice Krispie treats

Modified: Feb 7, '24 · Published: Nov 12, '20 · By: Meaghan Mountford · Commission earned on paid or sponsored links.

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Who doesn't love Rudolph? Reindeer Rice Krispie treats are a cute, easy no-bake treat for Christmas. 

chocolate reindeer Rice Krispie treats for Christmas

 

reindeer Rice Krispie Treats

Reindeer Rice Krispie treats are cute as can be for Christmas. Rudolph is decorated simply with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, bright red candy nose, and caramel for the snout. The extra step with the caramel is optional, but it adds a clever touch. 

Shown are our favorite chocolate Rice Krispie treats. You may also use:

  • chocolate peanut butter Rice Krispie treats
  • Cocoa Rice Krispie treats
  • Nutella Rice Krispie treats

Do you love cereal treats? Our Rice Krispie treat recipe is the BEST ever. Need help? Our FAQ page has all the answers! 

 

chocolate reindeer Rice Krispie treats for Christmas

 

video how-tos 

 

 

 

how to make Christmas cereal treats 

For less sticking and to make cereal treats a breeze, spray cooking spray on your bowls and spatulas.

To make these chocolate Rice Krispie treats, I use two types of chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate chips and unsweetened cocoa powder. I love adding cocoa powder, because it adds richness and depth to the taste, but for sweeter, milder treats,  omit the cocoa powder. 

chocolate reindeer Rice Krispie treats for Christmas

 

supplies you'll need

  • baking tray
  • parchment paper
  • cooking spray
  • 2 ¼-inch circle cookie cutter 
  • 1 ¼-inch circle cutter
  • candy eyes
  • M & M red candies (or any comparable, such as cinnamon imperials)
  • caramel cubes
  • mini pretzels
  • light corn syrup (optional)

ingredients you'll need

  • 10 ounces marshmallows (about 40 regular size OR 6 cups mini)
  • 4 ⅔ cups Rice Krispies
  • 4 tablespoons European salted butter 
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder (optional)

 
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let's make Rudolph cereal treats! 

stove-top method 

Line your baking tray parchment paper and set aside.

Next, pour the Rice Krispies in a large bowl greased with cooking spray. Set aside. 

Coat a saucepan with cooking spray. Add the butter, marshmallows, chocolate chips, cocoa powder (if using) in the pan over medium low. Stir frequently until the marshmallows are almost melted. Remove from the burner and stir, using the residual heat to fully melt the marshmallows and chocolate. The mixture should be very smooth. 

Alternatively, if you prefer to not coat your pan with cooking spray, melt the butter first, and then add the other ingredients. 

 

 

making chocolate Rice Krispie treats

 

Scrape the chocolate marshmallow mixture over the cereal. Stir very well, coating every piece of cereal. Overturn the treats onto the baking tray. 

Use a greased spatula to spread the treats in a rough rectangle that measures about 12-inches by 9-inches by ¾-inch. Refrigerate the tray for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the treats to cool. 

Cut out circles, trying to cut as close to each other as possible to minimize scraps. 

chocolate rice krispie treat circles on baking tray

 

Then, chill the treats again until firm, about 30 minutes. 

 

To decorate the reindeer treats 

The treats should be sticky enough for the decorations to adhere, but you may secure the candies with dabs of light corn syrup. 

Break a pretzel in half and insert two pieces for reindeer. Use a small knife to cut a slit in the cereal treats to make adding the pretzel easier. 

Attach two candy eyes. 

Unwrap a caramel and place it on a small piece of wax or parchment paper. Microwave for 5 seconds. The caramel should NOT be hot or sticky. It should be easily pliable. You may add 2 to 3 more seconds at a time, but do not overheat. Stretch and flatten the caramel with your palm (or use a glass to flatten). Use the small circle cutter to cut out circles. You should be able to cut out 2 circles per candy. 

Adhere the snout to the treat and top with a red M and M candy. 

how to make reindeer Rice Krispie treats

 

 

microwave rice krispie treat method 

Because chocolate can overheat quickly, I prefer making these treats on the stove-top. But you may also make them in the microwave.

Place the butter, marshmallows, and chocolate chips in a large microwave-safe bowl. 

Heat on high for 1 minute. Stir the marshmallows until they start to melt. Heat for an additional 15 seconds and let the bowl  sit in the microwave for one minute.  Stir the marshmallows very well until smooth, using the residual heat to fully melt the mixture. 

Stir in the cocoa powder, if using. 

Follow the rest of the instructions above. 

 

chocolate reindeer Rice Krispie treats for Christmas

 

printable reindeer Rice Krispie treats recipe

chocolate reindeer Rice Krispie treats for Christmas

reindeer Rice Krispie treats

Meaghan Mountford
Fun, no-bake Reindeer Rice Krispie treats for Christmas
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 minutes mins
Chill for 40 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 13 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 18 treats
Calories 307 kcal

Equipment

  • non-stick cooking spray
  • baking tray
  • parchment or wax paper
  • 2 ¼ inch circle cookie cutter
  • 1 ¼ inch circle cookie cutter
  • light corn syrup (optional)

Ingredients
  

  • 4 ⅔ cups Rice Krispies
  • 10 ounces marshmallows about 40 regular OR 6 cups mini
  • 4 tablespoons salted European butter
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder optional
  • 9-10 caramel cubes
  • 36 candy eyes
  • 18 M and M candies
  • 18 to 20 mini pretzels

Instructions
 

Chocolate Rice Krispie treats

  • Line your baking tray parchment paper and set aside. Pour the Rice Krispies in a large bowl greased with cooking spray. Set aside. 
  • Coat a saucepan with cooking spray. Add the butter, marshmallows, chocolate chips, cocoa powder (if using) in the pan over medium low. Stir frequently until the marshmallows are almost melted. Remove from the burner and stir, using the residual heat to fully melt the marshmallows and chocolate. The mixture should be very smooth. 
  • Alternatively, if you prefer to not coat your pan with cooking spray, melt the butter first, and then add the other ingredients. 
  • Scrape the chocolate marshmallow mixture over the cereal. Stir very well, coating every piece of cereal. Overturn the treats onto the baking tray.
  • Use a greased spatula to spread the treats in a rough rectangle that measures about 12-inches by 9-inches by ¾-inch. Refrigerate the tray for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the treats to cool. 
  • Cut out circles, trying to cut as close to each other as possible to minimize scraps. 
  • Then, chill the treats again until firm, about 30 minutes. 

decorate Reindeer Rice Krispie treats

  • The treats should be sticky enough for the decorations to adhere, but you may secure the candies with dabs of light corn syrup. 
  • Break a pretzel in half and insert two pieces for reindeer. Use a small knife to cut a slit in the cereal treats to make adding the pretzel easier. 
  • Attach two candy eyes. 
  • Unwrap a caramel and place it on a small piece of wax or parchment paper. Microwave for 5 seconds. The caramel should NOT be hot or sticky. It should be easily pliable. You may add 2 to 3 more seconds at a time, but do not overheat. Stretch and flatten the caramel with your palm (or use a glass to flatten). Use the small circle cutter to cut out circles. You should be able to cut out 2 circles per candy. 
  • Adhere the snout to the treat and top with a red M and M candy. 
Keyword Reineer Rice Krispie Treats

chocolate reindeer Rice Krispie treats for Christmas

more fun reindeer Christmas treats

  • reindeer peppermint meringues
  • cheeseball reindeer appetizer 
  • reindeer donut pops 
  • Rudolph Christmas breakfast biscuits 
  • chocolate pretzel reindeer

 

more Rice Krispie treats 

Grinch rice krispie treat recipe

Grinch cereal treats 

 

rainbow rice krispie treats recipe

rainbow cereal treats 

 

butterscotch rice crispy trets

butterscotch cereal treats 

More Christmas

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    Eggnog Rice Krispie Treats

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Donna Roman says

    December 09, 2020 at 6:53 pm

    5 stars
    there are AMAZING! Ido have a question though. What candies do you use for the eyes??? I couldn't find anything that looked like the pictures. PLEASE HELP LOL!

    Reply
    • Beth Klosterboer says

      December 09, 2020 at 10:38 pm

      Thanks, Donna. They are Festival Candy Eyes. You can get them from Amazon here - https://amzn.to/3gydVu6 and I've also seen them at Walmart during the holidays. Wilton has candy eyes too and they sell them at Jo Ann's and Michaels.

      Reply
  2. Gina Evans says

    December 25, 2024 at 4:35 pm

    These are so cute. Thank you for giving such good instructions! Your ideas are so creative!

    Reply
    • Meaghan Mountford says

      December 25, 2024 at 5:22 pm

      Thank you so much Gina!!!

      Reply
Beth and Meaghan from How To Make Cereal 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.
Read more about us →

popular recipes

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Upcoming Holiday Recipes

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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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