The Ultimate Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Indulge in a symphony of sweetness with these irresistible Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats! Chocolate Rice Krispies, gooey mini marshmallows, and luscious chocolate chips come together in a no-bake dessert that’s incredibly easy to make and bursts with rich chocolate flavor. Prepare to be captivated!
Classic Rice Krispies Treats are a blank canvas for dessert creativity! The possibilities are endless. From festive holiday treats like Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats and Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats to these decadent chocolate bars, crispy rice cereal is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Sometimes, a chocolate craving hits hard. When those moments strike, this simple Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats recipe will be your salvation. Get ready for a chocolatey, marshmallowy delight!
Why This Chocolate Rice Krispies Recipe Works
This dessert recipe is a sure-fire winner, and we are confident that you’ll adore it as much as our family does!
- This recipe is ridiculously easy and requires no baking.
- It requires only 4 simple ingredients easily sourced at any grocery store.
- It’s intensely chocolatey, featuring the perfect balance of gooey marshmallow without being overwhelmingly messy.
- Customize the thickness to your preference, creating thick, bakery-style treats or thinner bars for a larger yield.
- Customize the treats for any occasion! See our serving suggestions section for holiday Rice Krispies Treats ideas.
Ingredient Notes for the Best Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats
- Cocoa Krispies: The base of the recipe! Cocoa Krispies cereal can usually be found right next to the original Rice Krispies in the cereal aisle.
- Mini Marshmallows: A vital component for the perfect gooey texture! This recipe calls for 8 cups of mini marshmallows, with 7 cups incorporated into the main mixture and 1 cup stirred in at the end for added texture.
- Chocolate Chips: Elevate the chocolate flavor with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Opt for larger chocolate chunks for an even more luxurious experience.
- Butter: The secret to a soft and chewy consistency. Unsalted butter melts with the marshmallows, creating the irresistible gooiness you crave.
Making the best chocolate rice krispies is easy, but there are some tips you can utilize to take them to the next level. Many different factors go into what makes these treats as amazing as they are. Follow these tips to ensure you have the perfect base and foundation for a delicious chocolate rice krispies treat:
- Quality Ingredients: Ensure that you are using fresh and high-quality ingredients. It is important to use fresh ingredients to optimize the flavor and taste of the final product.
- Gentle Melting: Low heat is imperative when melting the butter and marshmallows together. This prevents the mixture from burning or becoming too hard, and will retain the delicious marshmallow flavor.
- Marshmallow Mixture: Do not overcook or burn the marshmallows. Overcooking the marshmallows will make the mixture hard, resulting in a treat that is not enjoyable.
- Mixing Technique: When mixing the cereal, marshmallows, and chocolate, gently fold them together to maintain the crispiness of the cereal.
- Consistency: Ensure that the mixture is well combined before pressing it into a pan, resulting in a uniform texture in every treat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The detailed recipe is in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here’s a visual guide to help you along the way:
- Line a 9″x 9″ baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside.
- Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-low heat.
3. Add the mini marshmallows and stir until melted, which takes about 2 to 4 minutes.
4. Add the vanilla and stir.
5. Add the cocoa rice krispies, stirring constantly to coat the cereal.
6. Add the chocolate chips, stir, and add the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows. Stir just until combined. You want some of this last set of marshmallows to remain somewhat intact and not totally melted in. They add a delicious texture to these treats!
7. Use your wooden spoon or heatproof silicone spatula to gently push the chocolate rice krispies mixture into the bottom and corners of the prepared pan. Then gently press to create an even layer.
8. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes or let set at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes (unless your house is hot and it’s summer — then definitely set in the fridge!). Then remove and slice into squares or bars.
Recipe FAQs
How to store homemade rice krispie treats
Store these rice krispies treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
Can you freeze chocolate rice krispie treats?
Yes! You can slice them, then flash freeze them by placing them on a baking sheet and freezing. Once frozen, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. They will stay good for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Are rice krispies vegan?
Rice krispies cereal is not vegan. It contains Vitamin D which is made from animals.
Serving Ideas
These delicious treats are perfect as is, or enjoy them with a glass of milk!
Customize these for holidays:
- Valentine’s Day – use pink marshmallows
- Easter – use pastel-colored marshmallows or Lucky Charms marshmallows
- Halloween – check out our Frankenstein Rice Krispies Treats and Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats recipes!
Kitchen Tools and Equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here’s what you’ll need:
- Baking Pan: A 9″ x 9″ square pan works perfectly. You could also use a 9″ x 13″ baking dish for thinner treats.
- Spatula: A heatproof silicone spatula or wooden spoon for mixing.
Whether you are a novice baker or expert, you can implement easy changes to the recipes to create a more personalized and enjoyable treat for any palate. Some modifications include:
- Adjust Sweetness Levels: Reduce the amount of chocolate or marshmallows to create a less sweet treat.
- Experiment With Textures: Vary textures by adding chopped nuts, pretzels, or dried fruits to enhance the texture.
- Creative Shapes: Instead of cutting the treats into simple squares, use cookie cutters to create fun and festive shapes.
- Spice Infusion: Sprinkle spices like cinnamon or nutmeg into the marshmallow mix to add warmth and aromatic flavor.
More Dessert and Snack Recipes
- Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Apple Cinnamon Loaf
- Cookies and Cream Protein Powder Cookies
- High Protein Chocolate Parfait
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star rating in the recipe card, and leave a comment down on the page. Thank you!
Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats
By Marlynn Schotland
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Chill Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Servings: 12 bars
These cereal bar treats are full of chocolate, rice krispies, and marshmallows. They’re a great sweet treat for snack time!
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or saucepan
Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 8 cups mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 cups Cocoa Krispies cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a 9″ x 9″ baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over low-medium heat.
- Add 7 cups of marshmallows, setting aside one cup for later. Immediately stir the marshmallows and melted butter, stirring constantly with a heatproof silicone spatula for a few minutes, until the marshmallows are mostly melted.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla until incorporated.
- Then add the Cocoa Krispies cereal and stir constantly to coat.
- Gently fold in the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows and the chocolate chips until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and use the silicone spatula to press the mixture into the bottom and corners of the pan until the top is fairly even.
- Allow the cocoa krispies to set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or at room temperature for an hour. Then slice into square or rectangular bars.
Notes
Makes 12 square bars. You can slice them into smaller pieces if you wish.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate these for up to 5 days, or freeze them for up to one month. If you freeze them, be sure to thaw them out at room temperature overnight.
Nutrition
Calories: 334kcal
Carbohydrates: 51g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0.3g
Cholesterol: 21mg
Sodium: 108mg
Potassium: 126mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 32g
Vitamin A: 1001IU
Vitamin C: 9mg
Calcium: 36mg
Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.