Hot Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats

Sink your teeth into these Hot Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats! These delicious, chocolate marshmallow wintery-themed treats are a much-needed twist on the original version. This gooey, fudgy, no-bake dessert will surely become a cherished holiday favorite you’ll love sharing with family and friends.

If you’re looking for more treats to make during this cozy time of year, be sure also to check out my Cheesecake Stuffed Hawaiian Roll French Toast, Orange-Cranberry Muffins, Stuffed French Toast Bites, or my Peach Cobbler Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls.

Why You’ll Love Hot Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats

Cocoa rice cereal is mixed with melty marshmallows and chocolate chips, then topped with mini marshmallows and sprinkles, just like hot chocolate. These are gooey, crunchy, and decadently chocolatey. You could also use regular Rice Krispies cereal for a toned-down chocolate flavor.

They are whimsical and beautiful to look at and so fun to bring to a holiday gathering or to serve near a hot cocoa station. We enjoyed ours with hot cocoa while we built gingerbread houses and watched Christmas movies.

Not only are these simple to make with straightforward ingredients, but they are fun to make as a family. I think rice krispie treats are one of the first recipes I remember making with my mom as a kid.

Plus, this is a no-bake treat that doesn’t require an oven.

Key Ingredients

Does it get easier than this fudgy, no-bake dessert? Be sure to check out the recipe card for the measurements:

Cocoa rice cereal – or Cocoa Pebbles, Cocoa Krispies, or similar.

Marshmallows – mini marshmallows are easiest to use as they melt faster and already come in a 10 oz bag (which is the measurement for this recipe). I buy two bags, one for the melted mixture and a few handfuls of a second bag for topping.

Chocolate chips – milk chocolate or semi-sweet is preferred. Dark chocolate would be too rich and over-the-top. I used regular chocolate chips and mini chocolate chips as a topping.

Butter – just 6 tablespoons is all you’ll need.

Vanilla Extract – just a little vanilla for the melted chocolate marshmallow mixture.

Sprinkles – well it certainly wouldn’t be hot cocoa rice krispie treats without festive holiday or winter sprinkles.

How to Make Hot Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats

Before I get started, I prepare a greased 9×13 baking dish lined with wax or parchment paper. It’s also very helpful to have a strong silicone spatula because these rice krispie treats are very thick and sticky as they come together.

We’ll start by melting the butter over medium-low in a large, deep, nonstick pan or pot.

Add 10 oz of marshmallows in with the butter. Stir continuously with a spatula until they are fully melted; this can take several minutes.

Add in the vanilla extract and stir to incorporate. Then add in the 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and mix until they melt.

Turn off the heat and add in the cereal, mixing it evenly into the gooey marshmallow mixture. Yes, it’s very thick and sticky; that is normal. As you are mixing, add in a few handfuls of mini marshmallows. These will partially melt into the mixture, creating the swirl you see in my photos.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan.

I like to use food-safe gloves or clean, buttered hands work as well to gently press the mixture evenly down into the pan. Don’t press too hard; otherwise, the rice krispie treats will become too thin and compact.

Immediately top them with extra marshmallows, sprinkles, and mini chocolate chips while the mixture is still tacky. Gently press them down so they stick to the mixture as it dries. Allow it to set for 2 hours before slicing into squares.

Tips and Modifications

Here are my favorite tips to make these successful:

• Use a nonstick pan. Since you’re dealing with gooey melted sugar you’re going to want to use a pan that won’t trouble you when it’s time to clean it. Even our nonstick had to soak with soap for a few minutes, and it still needed some elbow grease.
• A strong spatula is essential. It’s all fun and games until you add the cereal in, and then, whoa, the mixture turns into what feels like drying cement.
• Food handlers gloves. Call me a germaphobe but I really don’t like getting handsy with food, especially when I am sharing it with others. I am very particular about this so I prefer to use disposable food-safe gloves when I have to press into food with my hands.

Modifications

• Swap cereals – of course, you can use regular Rice Krispies cereal instead. This will tone down the chocolate flavor and make these a lot less rich and fudgey. You can also try cocoa puffs for a fun texture.
• Dip them in chocolate – if you want to amp up the chocolate flavor, you can also drizzle them or dunk parts of them in tempered chocolate or chocolate melting wafers.
• Change up the toppings – there are lots of fun toppings for hot chocolate, different colored sprinkles, crushed peppermint candy, mini M&M‘s or mini Reese’s pieces, flaky sea salt, etc. You can get really creative!
• Add peppermint – you can add a 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract instead of vanilla for a peppermint hot cocoa spin.

I hope you enjoy this Hot Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats recipe. Be sure to comment below with any questions or feedback!

If you make these or any other recipes, don’t forget to tag me on IG @BadBatchBaking to be featured in my story. Seeing your recreations makes my day!

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