Valentine’s Day is all about sharing sweet treats, and nothing is easier (or more fun!) than making homemade Rice Krispie treats. Whether you’re surprising someone, making a batch for friends, or just treating yourself, these no-bake goodies come together in minutes.
Easy, Festive and Fun to Make
With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, these festive treats come together in minutes. Plus, they’re easy to customize with fun colors, sprinkles, and even chocolate drizzles to make them extra special for the holiday. Whether you’re making them for a Valentine’s party, gifting them, or just eating by yourself, these Rice Krispie treats are easy and festive to make.
Ingredient Line-Up
Butter – not only does butter add richness and flavor, it also keeps the treats from becoming too sticky or hard.
Marshmallow Creme/Fluff – this is the magic ingredient that holds everything together. Using marshmallow creme keeps these treats soft and gooey, compared to regular marshmallows, making every bite perfectly chewy.
Rice Krispie Cereal – gives the crispy and crunchy texture that Rice Krispies are known for. You can use either the brand name cereal or generic – either cereal works well.
Vanilla – a touch of vanilla adds a nice, warm flavor to the Rice Krispie treat.
Food Coloring – optional, but a small touch of pink, purple or red goes a long way and adds a festive Valentine’s Day touch to your treats.
Sprinkles – while options, colorful sprinkles are a simple way to add a pop of color and a little crunch. Choose red, pink, or heart-shaped sprinkles to keep the Valentine’s theme going.
Vanilla Candy Coating – optional, but a small drizzle of melted vanilla candy coating finishes the look and adds an extra depth of flavor.
Baking Tools Needed
Pan – use an 8×8” baking pan to place the Rice Krispie treats into while they cool. Be sure to line with parchment paper for easier removal.
Measuring Cups and Spoons – measure ingredients accurately with measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Microwave-Safe Bowls – you’ll need a large microwave-safe bowl for melting the butter and marshmallow creme together.
Spatula and/or Spoon – use a silicone spatula or wooden spoon to mix and stir everything evenly.
Cookie Cutters or Knife – use heart-shaped cookie cutters, or a knife, to cut and/or shape your Rice Krispie treats. Use kid-safe knives for little bakers.
Piping Bag – optional, but a piping bag or freezer bag will come in hand if you drizzle chocolate on top of the treats.
Tips for the Best Rice Krispie Treats
To make your Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Treats soft, chewy, and easy to work with, consider these simple tips to get the perfect treat every time.
- Use fresh marshmallow creme. For best results, be sure the marshmallow creme is fresh so that your treats are soft and chewy.
- Grease your baking tools. Use cooking spray on your spatula, wooden spoon and bowl to keep the marshmallow mixture from sticking.
- Microwave slowly. To avoid overheating the butter and marshmallow creme, microwave in small 15-30 second bursts, stirring in between each, to prevent overheating.
- Stir cereal gently. To keep that crunch, stir the cereal into the marshmallow mixture gently to avoid crushing the cereal.
- Wet your hands. Wet your hands with water before pressing the mixture into the pan to prevent sticking.
- Don’t press down too hard. Gently press the mixture into the pan to keep your Rice Krispie treats from being too hard and dense.
- Set at Room Temperature. Once treats are in the pan, cool them down at room temperature before cutting. Placing the treats in the refrigerator may make them too hard.
How to Make Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Treats
Making these festive treats is as easy as mixing, shaping, and decorating—perfect for bakers of all ages.
1. Melt butter and marshmallow creme.
2. Add food coloring and stir.
3. Add vanilla and cereal to the bowl.
4. Gently stir to coat the cereal.
5. Add sprinkles and mix.
6. Press mixture into the pan.
7. Cut into squares.
8. Add chocolate drizzle.
Fun and Festive Rice Krispie Variations
Elevating a simple Rice Krispie treat is easy! Here are a few suggestions to make these fun and festive.
- S’mores Rice Krispies – create S’mores Rice Krispies by adding graham crackers and chocolate to your mixture.
- Marbleized Topping – melt and use a toothpick to swirl a mix of melted white and milk chocolate to the top of your Rice Krispies for a marbleized effect.
- Dipped Rice Krispies – dip one half of your treat in melted chocolate and add some candy or sprinkles before the chocolate dries.
- Crushed Candy or Chocolate Chips – add some crushed candy or chocolate chips to the top of the Rice Krispies while in the pan, before they set.
- Crushed Cookies – add some crushed cookies into the cereal mixture and mix.
- Layered Krispies – press half of the Rice Krispie mixture into your pan, add a thin layer of white or milk chocolate to the top of that, then add remaining Rice Krispie mixture. When you cut into them, you’ll have a layered look.
Storing Treats to Enjoy Later
For the best texture, Rice Krispies are best fresh and enjoyed right away. And, while it is easy to eat the whole pan right away, you can store them for longer enjoyment.
- On the Counter. If storing for later, layer treats between sheets of wax or parchment paper before wrapping them in plastic wrap to prevent sticking. Place into an airtight container. They will stay fresh on the counter for up to two days.
- In the Freezer. To prevent treats from sticking together, layer treats between sheets of wax or parchment paper before wrapping them in plastic wrap. Place in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 weeks. It’s important to know that it’s possible for frozen Rice Krispies to possibly lose some of their original chewiness. To defrost, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes for the best texture.
Other Recipes to Check Out
If you like Rice Krispie treats, give these S’mores Rice Krispies a try. For other homemade Valentine treats, look at these Homemade Treats for Valentine’s Day or jazz up these Easy Homemade Brownies by adding red or pink sprinkles! If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a review and comment below with your favorite way to customize Rice Krispie treats!
Valentine Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp (25g) butter
- 1 cup (138g) marshmallow creme
- 3 cups (91g) rice cereal
- 1 tsp vanilla
- gel food coloring optional
- red, white and/or pink sprinkles optional
- vanilla candy coating optional
Instructions
- Line an 8x8” pan with parchment or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and marshmallow creme in 15-30 second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
- If coloring treats, add one drop of food coloring for a light color or more for a darker color to the marshmallow/butter mixture. Stir.
- Add vanilla and cereal. Stir gently to mix.
- If using, add sprinkles to the mixture and stir.
- Place mixture into your prepared pan. With damp hands, press the mixture into the pan. Add additional sprinkles on top of the treats.
- Let cool on the counter for about 30 minutes.
- Once cooled, remove from the pan and cut into 2” squares. Or, take heart-shaped cookie cutters and cut into shapes.
- Optional: Melt some vanilla candy coating and place into a piping bag. Drizzle lines across each Rice Krispie treat and add some sprinkles to the top before the candy coating hardens.
- Wrap and store on the counter for up to two days or freeze for up to six weeks.
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