Can I make these without orange cereal?

Absolutely! Regular Rice Krispies work perfectly—just add orange gel food coloring to your melted marshmallow mixture. Start with a few drops and add more until you achieve your desired carrot color.

My Rice Krispie treats became too hard. What went wrong?

Hard treats usually come from overcooking the marshmallows or pressing the mixture too firmly. Keep heat low when melting marshmallows, and while you should press these firmly enough to cut shapes, avoid compacting them too much.

Can I make these ahead for a party?

Yes! Make them 1-2 days ahead and store in an airtight container. For best freshness, add the icing decorations the day of your event if possible.

Do I have to use a cookie cutter, or can I shape them by hand?

While a cookie cutter gives the cleanest shape, you can absolutely hand-form these into carrot shapes. Shape the Rice Krispie mixture into small cones while it's still slightly warm, then flatten slightly before decorating.

Carrot Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Name: Carrot Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 cups mini marshmallows; 6 cups orange Kellogg Rice Krispies cereal (or regular Rice Krispies with orange gel food coloring); 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 premade green icing bag; 1 premade orange icing bag

These adorable Carrot Rice Krispie Treats transform the classic marshmallow snack into springtime magic! Shaped like carrots and decorated with simple icing, they’re perfect for Easter gatherings, spring celebrations, or whenever you want to bring a smile to someone’s face. The best part? They come together in just 15 minutes with minimal ingredients!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Adorably Festive: These carrot-shaped treats instantly bring springtime cheer to any table or dessert spread.
Quick and Simple: No complicated baking required—if you can make regular Rice Krispie treats, you can make these cute carrots!
Kid-Friendly Project: Little ones will love helping cut out the carrot shapes and decorating with icing.
Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves Rice Krispie treats, and this festive version will disappear from plates in no time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Mini Marshmallows: These melt quickly and evenly, creating that perfect gooey binding for the cereal.
Orange Rice Krispies Cereal: Gives the natural carrot color without much effort. Can’t find orange cereal? No problem—just use regular Rice Krispies and add orange food coloring to the marshmallow mixture.
Butter: Unsalted butter works best here, adding richness without extra saltiness.
Green Icing: For creating those adorable carrot tops. Pre-made icing bags save time, but homemade works too!
Orange Icing: Adds definition to your carrots with a simple outline.
Carrot Cookie Cutter: Essential for creating the perfect carrot shape.

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.

Variations

Want to switch things up? Try these creative twists:

Chocolate Drizzle: Add a light drizzle of melted chocolate across the carrots for extra decadence.
Flavor Boost: Mix 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1/4 teaspoon orange extract into the marshmallow mixture for subtle flavor enhancement.
Sprinkle Addition: Add orange sprinkles to the rice krispie mixture for extra texture and visual appeal.
Coconut “Soil”: Serve your carrots on a bed of chocolate cookie crumbs mixed with toasted coconut for a garden effect.

How to Make Carrot Rice Krispie Treats

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Line a 13×9 pan with wax paper or parchment paper and give it a good spray with cooking spray. This prevents sticking and makes removal much easier.

Step 2: Melt the Base

In a deep skillet over low heat, melt your butter completely. Keep the heat low—this prevents burning and ensures everything melts evenly.

Step 3: Add Marshmallows

Add the mini marshmallows to the melted butter, stirring constantly until they’re completely melted into a smooth, gooey mixture. If using regular Rice Krispies, now’s the time to add several drops of orange gel food coloring.

Step 4: Mix in Cereal

Remove from heat and quickly add your orange Rice Krispies. Stir until every piece is evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.

Step 5: Form Your Base

Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan. Using a spatula sprayed with cooking spray (this prevents sticking), spread the mixture into an even layer. Let it cool for about 10 minutes until firm but still slightly soft.

Step 6: Cut Out Shapes

Once cooled, use your carrot cookie cutter to cut out carrot shapes. Press firmly for clean edges. The leftover scraps make perfect chef’s treats!

Step 7: Decorate

Use the green icing to create leafy carrot tops, then outline the rest of the carrot with orange icing for definition. Let the icing set before serving or storing.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Work Quickly: The marshmallow mixture starts setting fast, so have everything ready before you begin.
Wet Hands: If shaping or pressing the mixture by hand, slightly wet your fingers to prevent sticking.
Perfect Thickness: Aim for about 1/2-inch thickness when spreading the mixture—thick enough to hold shape but not so thick that the cookie cutter struggles.
Clean Cuts: For the sharpest carrot shapes, rinse your cookie cutter in warm water between cuts.
Firm Base: Unlike regular Rice Krispie treats, press these more firmly to create a stable base for cutting shapes.

How to Serve

These Carrot Rice Krispie Treats make a delightful addition to any spring gathering:

Dessert Table Centerpiece

Arrange your carrot treats on a platter surrounded by real fresh fruit for a colorful display.

Lunchbox Surprise

Wrap individual carrots in wax paper for a sweet lunchbox treat that will make kids smile.

Easter Basket Addition

Individually wrap carrots in clear cellophane tied with green ribbon for Easter basket treats.

Serve with Complementary Treats

Pair with chocolate egg nests or bunny-shaped cookies for a complete spring dessert spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store treats in an airtight container at room temperature, with wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days.

Freezing

These treats can be frozen! Place in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer container with parchment between layers. Freeze for up to 6 weeks.

Reheating

Let frozen treats thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. For a warm treat, microwave an individual carrot for 5-10 seconds.

FAQs

Can I make these without orange cereal?

Absolutely! Regular Rice Krispies work perfectly—just add orange gel food coloring to your melted marshmallow mixture. Start with a few drops and add more until you achieve your desired carrot color.
My Rice Krispie treats became too hard. What went wrong?

Hard treats usually come from overcooking the marshmallows or pressing the mixture too firmly. Keep heat low when melting marshmallows, and while you should press these firmly enough to cut shapes, avoid compacting them too much.
Can I make these ahead for a party?

Yes! Make them 1-2 days ahead and store in an airtight container. For best freshness, add the icing decorations the day of your event if possible.
Do I have to use a cookie cutter, or can I shape them by hand?

While a cookie cutter gives the cleanest shape, you can absolutely hand-form these into carrot shapes. Shape the Rice Krispie mixture into small cones while it’s still slightly warm, then flatten slightly before decorating.

Final Thoughts

These Carrot Rice Krispie Treats bring together the nostalgic joy of a classic snack with adorable seasonal charm. They’re the perfect balance of creative fun and practical simplicity—impressive enough for guests but easy enough for everyday memory-making with family. Whether you’re celebrating Easter, welcoming spring, or just brightening someone’s day, these sweet little carrots are sure to harvest smiles!