There's something irresistibly festive and cozy about the combination of peppermint and chocolate that just makes your taste buds sing. That's exactly what happens with this delightful Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies Treats Recipe — tender, crispy, and bursting with holiday cheer in every bite.

The image shows several square pieces of a crispy rice treat stacked loosely on a white marbled surface. Each treat has two layers: the bottom layer is light golden in color with a puffy, airy texture from the crispy rice, while the top layer is made of dark brown chocolate with white chocolate drizzled unevenly over it. The chocolate is sprinkled with crushed red and white candy pieces, adding a textured, festive touch. Around the treats are whole round peppermint candies with red and white stripes, scattered randomly across the surface. The photo is 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 Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is a total game-changer when it comes to holiday treats. I've made plenty of Rice Krispies bars before, but adding that peppermint bark twist amps it up with delightful layers of flavor and texture. Plus, it’s easy enough to whip up last minute when you want something special!

Festive Flavor Fusion: Peppermint extract and crushed candy canes bring that classic holiday magic that feels like a cozy winter hug.
Texture Play: Crispy rice cereal meets gooey marshmallows and crunchy peppermint for a delightful bite every time.
Simple Yet Impressive: You don’t need fancy skills but still get a treat that looks like it belongs on a holiday dessert table.
Chocolate Layers: The dark and white chocolate drizzle not only tastes amazing but adds beautiful color and richness.

The image shows several square pieces of a crispy rice treat stacked on a white marbled surface. Each piece has three main layers: the bottom and middle layers are light golden and crispy, made of puffed rice cereal mixed with a sticky, smooth marshmallow layer, while the top layer is a thin coating of dark chocolate drizzled unevenly, sprinkled with crushed red and white peppermint candy bits. Two whole peppermint candies sit near the front right of the frame, with some blurred stacks of the treats in the background, creating depth. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies Treats Recipe plays an important role to make sure you get the perfect balance of gooey, crunchy, and chocolaty goodness. Shopping tip: stick to good quality chocolates and fresh peppermint extract for the best results.

Flat lay of a half cup of salted butter block, two small piles of miniature white marshmallows, a small white bowl with clear peppermint extract, a large mound of golden puffed Rice Krispies cereal, a small white bowl filled with crushed red and white candy cane pieces, a simple white bowl with chopped dark chocolate chunks, and another white bowl with chopped white chocolate chunks, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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 helps melt the marshmallows smoothly; I prefer salted because it adds a nice little hint of saltiness to balance the sweetness.
Miniature Marshmallows: Essential for the gooey texture; using minis means they melt more evenly and quickly.
Peppermint Extract: The star of the show, infusing that cool, refreshing flavor that defines peppermint bark.
Rice Krispies Cereal: Provides that iconic crispy crunch that holds everything together.
Crushed Candy Canes: Gives bursts of peppermint goodness and a satisfying crunch throughout.
Dark Chocolate: Adds a slightly bitter, rich depth — I recommend chopping a good-quality bar for smooth melting.
White Chocolate: Offers sweetness and creaminess that contrasts beautifully with the dark chocolate and peppermint.

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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

I love to play around with this recipe depending on my mood or crowd. It’s so flexible—you can make it more chocolaty, even add a little sprinkle of sea salt, or swap peppermint for another flavor if you want to experiment.

Chocolate Overload: Once, I doubled the chocolate drizzle and threw in some mini chocolate chips inside. The treat turned into everyone’s favorite instantly!
Allergy-Friendly: Use vegan butter and marshmallows to keep this recipe inclusive without losing that dreamy texture.
Less Sweet: If you’re not a sugar lover, reduce the white chocolate layer—dark chocolate gives just enough sweetness with richness.
Seasonal Twist: Swap peppermint extract for orange or almond extract to turn this into a year-round snack.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Candy Canes

Start by lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper so you can easily lift the treats out later. Unwrap your candy canes and crush them—right down to little bits. I like to put them in a sealed plastic bag and whack them gently with a rolling pin; it’s quick and keeps your kitchen clean!

Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows

In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter until it's bubbling but not brown—patience here prevents that burnt flavor. Lower the heat and add most of your marshmallows, saving about a cup aside. Stir continuously until everything is melted and smooth. Stirring helps avoid clumps.

Step 3: Add Peppermint, Cereal, and Reserved Marshmallows

Once the marshmallows are melted, remove the pot from heat and stir in the peppermint extract for that wonderful aroma. Then, add the Rice Krispies cereal, most of the crushed candy canes, and the reserved marshmallows. The mini marshmallows scattered inside add extra gooey pockets, which I think makes these treats next-level.

Step 4: Press Into Pan Without Overpacking

Transfer your mixture to the prepared pan and gently press it into an even layer. Don’t press too hard or you’ll lose that light, crispy texture. I usually use the back of a greased spatula or even the empty butter wrapper—that’s my go-to hack for a smooth surface without sticking.

Step 5: Melt Chocolates and Create the Peppermint Bark Layer

Carefully melt dark and white chocolate in separate microwave-safe bowls. Heat them in 20-second bursts, stirring each time so the chocolate doesn’t seize or burn. Then drizzle both chocolates over the top—using spoons or piping bags works well. Give the pan a gentle shake to help the chocolate settle evenly.

Step 6: Sprinkle Remaining Candy Canes and Set

Finally, sprinkle the remaining crushed candy canes on top, adding a pop of color and crunch. Let your Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies Treats set fully at room temperature before slicing. Cooling completely is key to keeping those chocolate layers firm but not brittle.

Top Tip

From experience, timing and texture are everything here. The marshmallow mixture should be warm and pliable but not scorching. Pressing too hard will squish your crispy cereal, so gentle is the way to go!

Butter Wrapper Hack: Use the waxy butter wrapper to press the mixture—it prevents stickiness and gives you an even surface effortlessly.
Chocolate Melting: Stir often and in short bursts to keep chocolate smooth—overheating means dry, grainy chocolate, which no one wants.
Marshmallow Timing: Add peppermint extract only after removing from heat to preserve its bright flavor.
Cooling Patience: Let the bars set fully at room temperature before slicing to avoid messy melty squares.

How to Serve Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with crushed candy cane sprinkled on top for extra peppermint crunch, but I’ve also loved adding a light dusting of edible glitter or a drizzle of extra melted white chocolate to make these treats pop at parties.

Side Dishes

These treats are perfect alongside a mug of hot cocoa or peppermint mocha. For a holiday dessert spread, serve with gingerbread cookies or spiced nuts to complement the cool peppermint flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive occasions, I like to cut these into small bite-sized squares, arrange them on a decorative platter, and scatter fresh holly or pine sprigs around for a seasonal feel. Gift them wrapped in cellophane with a cute ribbon—they make charming homemade gifts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Rice Krispies treats fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. From my experience, they stay perfectly soft and chewy for about five days, making them great for prepping ahead.

Freezing

I like to wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. They freeze wonderfully for up to two months—just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

When you want that melty, gooey feeling back, pop a thawed treat in the microwave for 8-10 seconds. Be careful not to overheat or you’ll lose the chocolate’s beautiful layer and get a mess instead of a treat!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini ones?

You can, but miniature marshmallows melt more evenly and quickly, resulting in a smoother, less clumpy texture. If using regular sized marshmallows, you might want to roughly chop them for better melting.

Can I substitute peppermint extract with something else?

Absolutely! While peppermint is classic for this treat, you can swap in other extracts like vanilla, almond, or even orange for different flavor profiles. Just use sparingly to avoid overpowering the other ingredients.

How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing when melting?

Make sure to melt chocolate slowly in short intervals (about 20 seconds), stirring well between each. Avoid any water contact, as even a drop can cause the chocolate to seize. Using microwave-safe bowls and dry spoons helps a lot.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Rice Krispies originally contain malt, but there are gluten-free puffed rice cereals available that work perfectly as a substitute. Just double-check your marshmallows and other ingredients to ensure they’re gluten-free too.

Final Thoughts

This Peppermint Bark Rice Krispies Treats Recipe is a cozy, festive twist on a childhood favorite that I return to every holiday season. It’s easy enough to make with the kids, elegant enough to impress guests, and simply delicious every time. Trust me, once you taste that perfect combo of peppermint, chocolate, and crispy marshmallow, you’ll be hooked—and maybe even start making these a new holiday tradition.