10 ounces marshmallowsabout 40 regular OR 6 cups mini
4tablespoonssalted European butter
½cupsemi-sweet chocolate chips
¼cupunsweetened cocoa powderoptional
9-10caramel cubes
36candy eyes
18M and M candies
18 to 20mini 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.