You know that feeling when a simple classic treat gets a festive makeover and suddenly becomes the star of your holiday dessert table? That’s exactly what happens with this Festive Christmas Krispies Treats with M&Ms Recipe. It takes the nostalgic charm of crispy marshmallow squares and pumps them up with vibrant red and green M&Ms along with colorful holiday sprinkles, making them perfect for Christmas parties, gift-giving, or just brightening up your winter afternoons.

I’ve made these for family gatherings a few times already, and every single batch disappears faster than you can say “Santa’s coming!” They’re not only delightfully chewy and sweet but also packed with that satisfying crunch from the mix of Rice Krispies and Rice Chex cereals. Plus, it’s a quick recipe that anyone—even if you’re pressed for time or not a pro in the kitchen—can easily pull off. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this Festive Christmas Krispies Treats with M&Ms Recipe in your holiday dessert rotation year after year.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Whether you shop for them at your usual grocery or a specialty store, these ingredients blend together beautifully to give you that magical balance of gooey, crunchy, and colorful in every bite. Here’s a quick rundown with a few tips to set you up for success.

Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted allows you to control the saltiness better—plus, it melts beautifully for a smooth marshmallow base.
Salt: Just a pinch balances the sweetness perfectly—don’t skip this little secret!
Mini Marshmallows: Division is key here; you’ll use some immediately and save some for later to sprinkle on top for extra chewy goodness.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and a warm note that complements the sugary treats perfectly.
Rice Krispies Cereal: The classic choice for that familiar crispy texture everyone loves.
Rice Chex Cereal: Adds an extra crunch and a bit of variety in texture; trust me, it makes a difference.
Christmas M&Ms: The fun colorful bits that make these treats truly festive. Look for holiday editions with red and green candies.
Holiday Sprinkles: They bring visual cheer and just enough crunch to top these treats off beautifully.

Variations

This Festive Christmas Krispies Treats with M&Ms Recipe is like a blank canvas—you can really make it your own! I love to switch up the candies or add a few of my favorite mix-ins depending on the occasion or who I’m sharing with.

Peanut Butter Twist: Swirling in a couple spoonfuls of peanut butter before mixing in the cereals gives these treats a rich, nutty flavor I’m obsessed with during chilly December days.
Allergy-Friendly Version: Swap the M&Ms with allergy-safe chocolate chips or dried fruit to keep everyone happy and safe.
Melted White Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra festive glam, drizzle melted white chocolate over the top once set—I’ve gotten rave reviews from neighbors when I do this!

How to Make Festive Christmas Krispies Treats with M&Ms Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows

Start by gently melting the butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over low heat. Once melted, add 8 cups of mini marshmallows and your pinch of salt. Stir continuously until everything is melted and smooth—this usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Keep the heat low so the marshmallows don’t burn or stick to the bottom. Trust me, patience here means silky, perfectly sticky marshmallow goodness.

Step 2: Mix in Vanilla and Cereals

Once your marshmallow mixture is smooth, remove the pot from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Then, immediately add the Rice Krispies and Rice Chex cereals, folding them in gently but thoroughly so every bit is coated. This is the part where your kitchen fills with that irresistible, nostalgic sweet aroma.

Step 3: Add M&Ms and Press Into Pan

Fold in the Christmas M&Ms last, keeping some out to sprinkle on top if you want them looking extra festive. Lightly butter or line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, then press the mixture evenly into the pan using a buttered spatula or your hands (dipped in butter so it doesn’t stick). Press firmly but avoid squishing out all the air—you want that nice crisp-chewy balance.

Step 4: Top With Remaining Marshmallows and Sprinkles

Scatter the remaining 2 cups of mini marshmallows and the holiday sprinkles over the top. Then, give it one gentle press to set them slightly into the surface. This adds a sweet, chewy top layer and those pretty pops of color that scream Christmas!

Step 5: Chill and Cut

Allow the treats to cool at room temperature for around 30 minutes, then pop them into the fridge for another 30 minutes to set firmly. This step makes slicing neat squares way easier and cleaner—no crumbly messes here! Once chilled, cut into your desired size and prepare to impress.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Krispies Treats with M&Ms Recipe

The image shows six small white bowls arranged on a white marbled surface. At the top left, there is a bowl with a solid block of pale yellow butter. To the top right, a bowl is filled with light tan square cereal pieces with a slightly rough texture. Below it, there is a small bowl containing dark brown liquid, likely vanilla or chocolate extract. At the bottom left, a bowl holds bright green and red candy-coated chocolates mixed with white and red sprinkles. Next to it on the right, another bowl contains a pile of shredded white coconut. In the middle, a tiny bowl is filled with coarse white salt crystals. All bowls are neatly arranged and the colors contrast nicely with the white background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with extra holiday sprinkles on the side when serving so guests can add a little more sparkle if they want. Sometimes, I toss on a few tiny edible gold stars for a touch of whimsy when presenting at a holiday brunch.

Side Dishes

These treats pair wonderfully with warm drinks like peppermint hot chocolate or mulled apple cider. I’ve found that their sweetness beautifully complements spiced beverages, making them a festive snack everyone reaches for during winter gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to cut them into bite-sized squares, place them on decorative festive cupcake liners, and stack them on a tiered dessert stand. It almost turns these simple treats into a fancy centerpiece! You can also wrap individual squares in clear cellophane tied with a red or green ribbon as charming edible gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between sheets of parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They stay soft and chewy for up to 4 days—although in my house, they rarely last that long!

Freezing

Freezing works great if you want to prepare these treats well in advance. I wrap each square individually in plastic wrap and then place them inside a freezer-safe bag. This way, they freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. When I’m ready, I just thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Reheating

Since these are best enjoyed soft and chewy, I usually skip reheating if possible. But if you want to enjoy them warm, a quick zap in the microwave for about 10 seconds does the trick, bringing back that freshly-made gooey texture without turning them rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows for this recipe?

Absolutely! If you only have regular marshmallows, just use about half the amount as they are larger. You might want to chop them into smaller pieces so they melt evenly and blend well with the cereals.
What can I substitute if I can’t find Rice Chex cereal?

You can substitute Rice Chex with more Rice Krispies or try corn or wheat Chex cereals if you like. The goal is to add a bit of texture variety, but you’ll still get delicious treats without Rice Chex.
How do I keep the M&Ms from melting when mixing them in?

Great question! Add the M&Ms right at the end, after you’ve taken the marshmallow mixture off the heat. Fold them in quickly and gently so their candy coating stays intact and colorful.
Is this Festive Christmas Krispies Treats with M&Ms Recipe suitable for kids to make?

Definitely yes! Kids can help press the mixture into the pan and sprinkle the toppings. Adult supervision is recommended when melting butter and marshmallows to keep things safe.
Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, just make sure to use gluten-free versions of Rice Krispies and Rice Chex cereals, as some brands do contain gluten. Also, double-check the holiday M&Ms to ensure they’re gluten-free friendly.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Krispies Treats with M&Ms Recipe brings together everything I love about the holidays in one simple, joyful treat. It’s quick, colorful, and always a crowd-pleaser—whether you’re baking with kids, whipping up party snacks, or gifting something sweet. I hope you enjoy making and munching on these as much as my family and I do every Christmas season. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s become my go-to festive treat!

Festive Christmas Krispies Treats with M&Ms Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 144 reviews

Author: Lily
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

A festive and delightful treat combining classic crispy marshmallow rice cereal bars with colorful Christmas M&Ms and holiday sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings, these Christmas Krispies Treats are easy to make, chewy, and bursting with seasonal cheer.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 cups mini marshmallows, divided

Dry Ingredients

6 cups rice krispies cereal
3 cups rice chex cereal
1 cup Christmas M&Ms
2 teaspoons holiday sprinkles

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Instructions

Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients to ensure smooth workflow. Separate 2 cups of the mini marshmallows from the total 10 cups as they will be used later to mix with the cereals.
Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the ½ cup unsalted butter completely. Add 8 cups of mini marshmallows and salt to the pot, stirring continuously until the marshmallows are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
Add Vanilla Extract: Remove the pot from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to infuse flavor into the melted marshmallow mixture.
Mix Cereals: In a large mixing bowl, combine 6 cups of rice krispies cereal and 3 cups of rice chex cereal. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the cereals and stir quickly but gently to coat all the cereal evenly without crushing.
Fold in M&Ms and Sprinkles: Add 1 cup of Christmas M&Ms and 2 teaspoons of holiday sprinkles into the cereal mixture. Folding these in carefully ensures they are distributed without melting or breaking the M&Ms.
Press Into Pan: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line with parchment paper. Transfer the cereal mixture into the dish and press firmly but evenly with a spatula or wax paper to create a compact, even layer.
Cool and Set: Allow the Krispies Treats to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes until fully set and firm enough to cut.
Serve: Once set, cut into squares or desired shapes and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to preserve freshness.

Notes

Use non-stick spray or butter to grease the pan to avoid sticking.
For chewier treats, add a bit more butter or marshmallows.
Press down the mixture firmly but avoid squeezing too hard to keep treats fluffy.
Store treats at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Use festive mix-ins like red and green M&Ms to keep it seasonal.