Hot Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats are the perfect winter dessert for a holiday party. Rich chocolate rice krispies with pillowy marshmallows in each bite!
Where are my hot chocolate lovers at? If that's you, you do not want to miss out on these hot chocolate Rice Krispie treats! Loaded with layers of chocolatey goodness tender ooey gooey marshmallows, these treats are an incredible treat for the holidays!
Whether you're hosting a holiday party, a potluck, or just craving a sweet treat on a cozy evening, hot chocolate Rice Krispie treats fit any occasion. Bonus, they're incredibly quick and easy to make. They're great for sharing with friends and family, and they're sure to impress your guests with their unique flavor.
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While I still have your attention hot chocolate lovers, you also want to add Frozen Hot Chocolate and Hot Chocolate Frozen Pie to your delicious to-do list!
If you’re in search for another sweet treat to pair with these krispy treats in your holiday goodie boxes, look no further than these Eggnog Cookies! They’re soft and sweet with the perfect touch of nutmeg and cinnamon! Another holiday cookie I can't get enough of are these Linzer Cookies!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Irresistible Chocolate Flavor: It's like having a cup of warm hot chocolate in a convenient, ooey, gooey snack form.
- Crunchy and Gooey Texture: The combination of both regular and cocoa rice Rice Krispies cereal and melted marshmallows creates a perfect texture.
- Versatile and Customizable: You can get creative with hot chocolate Rice Krispy treats. Add marshmallow swirls, drizzle them with chocolate, or sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a festive touch.
- Easy and Quick to Make: Hot chocolate Rice Krispy treats are incredibly easy to whip up. You can prepare them in a matter of minutes!
Ingredients in Hot Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Scroll down for specific ingredient amounts in the recipe card.
- Salted Butter: Enhances the flavor of chocolate Rice Krispie treats and adds richness. It also helps prevent the marshmallows from sticking to the pan and provides a smoother texture to the final product.
- Hot Chocolate Powder Mix: This gives these Rice Krispy treats their distinctive chocolatey, cocoa, holiday flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds an extra layer of flavor, enhances the overall taste of the treats, and balances the sweetness.
- Miniature Marshmallows: When melted, they become gooey and sticky, allowing them to hold the cereal together. They also add sweetness.
- Rice Crispy Cereal (both Regular and Chocolate Rice Krispies): The primary ingredient in Rice Krispy treats. These give the them their crispy texture and a mild, toasty flavor.
- Toppings: Milk Chocolate, Marshmallow Bits, Sprinkles, and/or Crushed Peppermint: Let your holiday creative juices flow with an assortment of toppings.
Tools You'll Need
How to make Hot Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats
- Line a 9”x13” dish with cling wrap or parchment paper paper.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, whisk in the hot cocoa powder mix until blended well. Add all but 2 cups of the miniature marshmallows to the pan, vanilla, and salt. Stir the mixture until melted and smooth.
- Turn off the heat, and gently fold in both cereals and the reserved miniature marshmallows until all the pieces are coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish, and lightly press into the pan.
- Drizzle the top with melted milk chocolate. Sprinkle with marshmallow bits and sprinkles and/or crushed peppermint.
Tips and Substitutions for Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
- Quick Mixing: Once you add the Rice Krispies, work quickly to mix them in. The mixture can become harder to handle as it cools, so a swift and gentle mix ensures even coating of the cereal.
- Grease Your Hands, Bag, or Spatula: When pressing the mixture into the pan, grease your hands, bag, or spatula with a bit of butter or oil to prevent sticking. This makes it easier to spread and press the mixture evenly.
- Chill for Firmer Treats: If you prefer firmer treats, you can chill the mixture in the refrigerator for a little while before cutting into squares. This makes them easier to cut cleanly.
- Hot Chocolate Mix: If you don’t have hot chocolate mix, you can use cocoa powder and powdered sugar as a substitute. Adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more or less powdered sugar.
- Flavor Extracts: Experiment with different flavor extracts. Peppermint extract can give your treats a holiday twist, while almond extract adds a nutty aroma.
Storage
Store your treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you need them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for a few extra days. Do not freeze and thaw as they'll become tough and stale.
FAQs
Yes! You can warm chocolate rice krispy treats in an oven or microwave. In the microwave, dampen a paper towel slightly, place it over the treat and heat in 5-10 second intervals. For the oven, preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C). Wrap the treat(s) in aluminum foil. Bake 5-10 minutes. Just note that the texture/appeal of the toppings you choose might be compromised.
If you don’t have hot chocolate mix, you can use cocoa powder and powdered sugar as a substitute. Adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more or less powdered sugar.
The noted volume of mini marshmallows in the recipe yields a tender ooey gooey texture. However, if you'd like to add extra, you certainly can.
Yes! You can substitute the butter with margarine, coconut oil, vegetable oil, or vegan butter. Each substitute may slightly alter the taste and texture of your hot chocolate Rice Krispie treats. Additionally, the amount of substitute you use may need to be adjusted based on the specific product you choose.
Use vegan marshmallows and vegan butter for a vegan version of Rice Krispie treats with chocolate. There are several brands available that cater to vegan and vegetarian diets.
If you need a gluten-free option, ensure your Rice Krispies cereal and hot chocolate powder is gluten-free. There are gluten-free versions available in most grocery stores.
More Dessert Recipes
Hot Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter
- ½ cup hot cocoa powder mix
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 16 ounce bag miniature marshmallows
- 4 cups Rice Krispie Cereal
- 4 cups Cocoa Rice Krispie Cereal
- 2 ounces milk chocolate melted
- ¼ cup marshmallow bits
- 2 tablespoons sprinkles or crushed peppermint
Instructions
- Line a 9”x13” dish with cling wrap or parchment paper paper.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, whisk in the hot cocoa powder mix until blended well. Add all but 2 cups of the miniature marshmallows, vanilla, and salt to the pan. Stir the mixture until melted and smooth.
- Turn off the heat, and gently fold in both cereals and the reserved miniature marshmallows until all the pieces are coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish, and lightly press into the pan.
- Drizzle the top with melted milk chocolate. Sprinkle with marshmallow bits and sprinkles and/or crushed peppermint.
Video
Notes
- Quick Mixing: Once you add the Rice Krispies, work quickly to mix them in. The mixture can become harder to handle as it cools, so a swift and gentle mix ensures even coating of the cereal.
- Grease Your Hands, Bag, or Spatula: When pressing the mixture into the pan, grease your hands, bag, or spatula with a bit of butter or oil to prevent sticking. This makes it easier to spread and press the mixture evenly.
- Chill for Firmer Treats: If you prefer firmer treats, you can chill the mixture in the refrigerator for a little while before cutting into squares. This makes them easier to cut cleanly.
- Hot Chocolate Mix: If you don’t have hot chocolate mix, you can use cocoa powder and powdered sugar as a substitute. Adjust the sweetness to your taste by adding more or less powdered sugar.
- Flavor Extracts: Experiment with different flavor extracts. Peppermint extract can give your treats a holiday twist, while almond extract adds a nutty aroma.
Diane Akers
My goodness I made these for my husband’s poker night guys and it was a major hit. So easy and delicious. Thanks Laura
Laura Ashley
That is wonderful! I'm so excited you made them and that the guys liked them so much!