Turkey Rice Krispie treats are a cute, easy no-bake treat for Thanksgiving.
turkey Rice Krispie Treats
Turkey Rice Krispie treats are the cutest Thanksgiving dessert ever. Can you guess what candy is used to decorate the turkeys? Starburst candy!
Shown are our favorite chocolate Rice Krispie treats. You may also use:
Do you love cereal treats? Our Rice Krispie treat recipe is the BEST ever. Need help? Our FAQ page has all the answers!
video how-tos
how to make Thanksgiving cereal treats
For less sticking and to make cereal treats a breeze, spray cooking spray on your bowls and spatulas.
You'll notice 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, feel free to omit the cocoa powder.
ingredients and supplies you'll need
- baking tray
- parchment paper
- cooking spray
- 4 ⅔ cups Rice Krispies
- 10 ounces marshmallows (about 40 regular size OR 6 cups mini)
- 4 tablespoons European salted butter
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup cocoa powder (optional)
- 2 ¼-inch circle cookie cutter
- Jumbo candy eyes
- Red, orange, and yellow Starburst candies (about 6 to 8 of each)
- light corn syrup (optional)
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instructions
stove-top method
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. Place the butter, marshmallows, chocolate chips, cocoa powder (if using) in the pan. Heat on 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.
Pour 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.
Chill the treats again until firm, about 30 minutes.
To decorate
The treats should be sticky enough for the decorations to adhere, but you may secure the candies with dabs of light corn syrup.
Attach two eyes.
To make the beak, unwrap a yellow Starburst and place it in the microwave on its wrapper. Microwave for 5 seconds. The candy should NOT be hot or sticky. It should be easily pliable. If needed, add 2 to 3 more seconds, but be sure to not overheat. Flatten the Starburst and cut a yellow triangle. (Save the remaining candy for more decorations.) Add to the treat under the eyes.
For the wattle, repeat the above with a red Starburst. Take a pinch about the size of a pea. Roll it into a ball, then pinch the tip to form a point. Add to the treat near the beak.
Now the feathers! Repeat the above with red, yellow, and orange Starburst. For one feather, roll a pinch of candy the size of a pea. Slightly flatten and pinch one end to make a point. Arrange five feathers on a piece of wax paper. Set the turkey on top of the tips to secure.
microwave 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.
printable recipe
turkey Rice Krispie treats
Equipment
- 2 ¼ inch circle cookie cutter
- baking tray
- parchment paper
- Jumbo candy eyes
- 6 to 8 pieces EACH of red, orange, and yellow Starburst candy
Ingredients
- 4 ⅔ cups Rice Krispies
- 4 tablespoons salted European butter
- 10 ounces marshmallows about 40 regular OR 6 cups mini
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder optional
Instructions
Chocolate Rice Krispie treats recipe
- 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. Place the butter, marshmallows, chocolate chips, cocoa powder (if using) in the pan.
- Heat on 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.
- Pour 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.
- Chill the treats again until firm, about 30 minutes.
How to decorate the treats
- The treats should be sticky enough for the decorations to adhere, but you may secure the candies with dabs of light corn syrup.
- Add two eyes.
- To make the beak, unwrap a yellow Starburst and place it in the microwave on its wrapper. Microwave for 5 seconds. The candy should NOT be hot or sticky. It should be easily pliable. If needed, add 2 to 3 more seconds, but be sure to not overheat. Flatten the Starburst and cut a yellow triangle. (Save the remaining candy for more decorations.) Add to the treat under the eyes.
- To make the wattle, repeat the above with a red Starburst. Take a pinch about the size of a pea. Roll it into a ball, then pinch the tip to form a point. Add to the treat near the beak.
- To make the feathers, repeat the above with red, yellow, and orange Starburst. For one feather, roll a pinch of candy the size of a pea. Slightly flatten and pinch one end to make a point. Arrange five feathers on a piece of wax paper. Set the turkey on top of the tips to secure.
more fun Thanksgiving treats
more Rice Krispie treats
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