There’s just something so comforting about a classic treat with a festive twist, isn’t there? The gooey marshmallows, the crisp crunch of cereal, and that pop of color from candies and sprinkles all come together perfectly in this Festive Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe. It’s fun, easy, and absolutely perfect for holiday gatherings or just brightening up any day.

The image shows a close-up of two thick square treats, layered with light tan crispy cereal mixed with white marshmallow, topped with red and green candy-coated chocolates and red and green sprinkles. A white drizzle flows across the top of the treats in thin, uneven lines. The treats rest on brown parchment paper on a white marbled surface, with extra red and green candies scattered around. Below, a white bowl is filled with more red and green candy-coated chocolates, adding a festive touch. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it blends nostalgia with festive fun. I love how the classic Rice Krispie treat gets a charming upgrade with colorful M&Ms and sprinkles that instantly bring holiday cheer to the table.

Simple and Quick: Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for last-minute holiday prep or an afternoon activity with the kids.
Customizable Fun: You can swap out the M&Ms and sprinkles to suit your holiday theme or favorite flavors.
Perfect Texture: The mix of marshmallow gooeyness, crispy cereal, and crunchy candies makes every bite delightful.
Great Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves these—whether it’s at a party, dessert table, or just as a sweet snack.

The image shows several square pieces of rice cereal treats arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each treat has a pale beige base made from puffed rice cereal held together by a sticky substance, with visible green and red candy-coated chocolates mixed inside. The top layer is decorated with a white drizzle and scattered whole red and green candy-coated chocolates. The treats have a textured, slightly rough surface and appear soft but firm. A white bowl filled with red and green candy-coated chocolates sits in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Festive Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe plays a vital role in delivering flavor and texture. The butter and marshmallows bind the cereal and candy together, while the vanilla enhances sweetness without overpowering. The holiday M&Ms not only add chocolate flavor but bring in that festive burst of color.

Flat lay of six tablespoons of salted butter in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white ceramic bowl filled with mini white marshmallows, a small white ceramic bowl with pure vanilla extract, a large white ceramic bowl heaped with crispy rice cereal, a small white ceramic bowl holding colorful holiday M&M's in red, green, yellow, and orange, a small white ceramic bowl of red and green holiday sprinkles in the shape of jimmies, and a small white ceramic bowl containing melted creamy white chocolate wafers, all arranged in perfect symmetry with realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salted Butter: Adds richness and balances the sweetness; salted butter helps deepen flavor.
Mini Marshmallows: The gooey glue that holds the treats together — fresh ones melt better for that perfect chewy texture.
Pure Vanilla Extract: A small touch brightens the overall flavor and rounds out the sweetness.
Rice Krispies Cereal: The classic crisp cereal provides that beloved crunch and light texture.
Holiday M&Ms: These add chocolate goodness and festive colors — you can choose regular or peanut but I prefer milk chocolate for a softer crunch.
Holiday Sprinkles: For an extra pop of color and festive charm; I like using jimmies because they hold up well in the treats.
White Chocolate Melting Wafers: Drizzled on top for sweetness and eye-catching decoration, plus a smooth finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

While I adore the traditional combination of M&Ms and holiday sprinkles, I often mix things up based on what I have on hand or the season. This recipe is forgiving and fun to tweak, so don't hesitate to make it your own!

Variation: One year, I swapped out the holiday M&Ms for peanut butter ones, and although they added a nice protein punch, I found the crunch a bit much for this treat’s soft texture—worth trying if you like a little extra bite!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Ingredients

Start by lining a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper—it makes cleanup so much easier and helps you lift the treats out neatly when done. Have your cereal, marshmallows, butter, and M&Ms measured and ready to go before you heat anything, because the next steps happen fast.

Step 2: Melt Butter & Marshmallows

In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, toss in all but 1 cup of the mini marshmallows. Turn the heat to low and stir continuously—it’ll take a few minutes, but you want a smooth, glossy mixture. Be patient and avoid overheating to prevent scorching.

Step 3: Add Vanilla, Cereal, and Remaining Marshmallows

Remove the pan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Next, pour in the Rice Krispies cereal and the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows. Gentle folding here is key to keeping that crispy crunch intact—don’t overmix or you might end up with more sticky than crunchy.

Step 4: Fold In M&Ms and Sprinkles

Stir in 1 cup of your holiday M&Ms and all the sprinkles. The colors make the mix look so cheerful—it’s like Christmas in a bowl! And don’t worry about melting the M&Ms; their candy coating holds up beautifully.

Step 5: Press & Decorate

Pour the mixture into your prepared dish and gently press it down with lightly greased fingertips. It should spread out evenly without compressing too hard. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top, and scatter the remaining ¼ cup of M&Ms (and a pinch more sprinkles if you like) for a stunning festive look.

Step 6: Let Cool Then Enjoy

Allow the treats to set at room temperature for about an hour—this step is worth the wait because it helps the chocolate harden and the treats firm up perfectly. After that, slice them into squares and enjoy the festive flavors!

Top Tip

From years of making these, I've picked up a few tips that make this recipe foolproof and extra delicious—these might save you a kitchen headache!

Use Fresh Marshmallows: Older marshmallows don’t melt as smoothly, which can affect texture and stickiness. Fresh mini marshmallows are your friend here.
Low & Slow: Melting butter and marshmallows over medium-high heat can lead to burning and grainy texture. Keep the heat low once the marshmallows go in and stir gently.
Gentle Pressing: Press the mixture lightly into the pan using greased fingers or a spatula to avoid crushing the cereal and making the treat dense.
Decorate While Warm: Adding the white chocolate drizzle and extra candies shortly after spreading ensures they stick well—if you wait too long, the melted chocolate can harden too soon.

How to Serve Festive Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms Recipe

Festive Rice Krispie Treats - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and let the sprinkles and M&Ms on top speak for themselves. But sometimes, I add a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few extra white chocolate curls to amp up the presentation—especially if I’m gifting them.

Side Dishes

Festive Rice Krispie treats are wonderful on their own, but they pair beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa or a glass of cold milk. For holiday parties, I like serving them alongside sugar cookies and peppermint bark for a sweet spread everyone can enjoy.

Creative Ways to Present

I love arranging these treats in colorful holiday-themed boxes or wrapping them individually with clear cellophane tied with ribbon—it makes them fantastic for gifting or party favors. I’ve even shaped them using cookie cutters for festive shapes like stars or trees, which gets kids really excited!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover treats in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay chewy and fresh for up to a week this way, which means you can enjoy these festive snacks for days after making them.

Freezing

Believe it or not, these treats freeze well! I wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in freezer bags. When I want to enjoy one later, I just thaw it at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Reheating

If you prefer a warmed treat, gently microwave a square for 10-15 seconds to soften the marshmallow without melting the chocolate entirely. This revives that gooey goodness and fresh-baked feel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini?

Yes, you can use regular-sized marshmallows, but I recommend chopping them into smaller pieces for more even melting and distribution.

What’s the best way to prevent the treats from sticking to my fingers?

To avoid sticky fingers, lightly grease your hands or spatula with butter or cooking spray when pressing the mixture into the pan.

Can I substitute the white chocolate for something else?

Absolutely! You can substitute white chocolate with milk or dark chocolate melts, or even skip it entirely if you prefer a less sweet finish.

How long do these Festive Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the treats stay fresh and chewy for about one week.

Final Thoughts

I’ve made these Festive Rice Krispie Treats with M&Ms for countless holidays, and they never fail to bring smiles and a bit of magic to any occasion. They feel like a warm, colorful hug wrapped up in a snack. So next time you want to impress without stress, give this recipe a try—I promise you’ll enjoy every bite.