Can I use different cereals than what's listed in the recipe?

Absolutely! While the combination suggested creates a wonderful texture variety, you can substitute with what you have on hand. Regular Cheerios work well, and Corn Chex can replace Rice Chex. However, I'd avoid wheat-based cereals as they tend to get soggy faster.

Why are my Rice Krispie treats too hard?

The most common reason is pressing them too firmly into the pan. Use gentle pressure when forming the treats. Another possibility is cooking the marshmallow mixture too long or at too high a temperature, which can cause the sugar to harden excessively.

Can I make these for other holidays besides Easter?

Definitely! Simply swap the Easter M&Ms for seasonal varieties (red and green for Christmas, orange and brown for Halloween) and use appropriate seasonal sprinkles. The base recipe remains the same.

My M&Ms are bleeding color into the treats. How do I prevent this?

Make sure your marshmallow mixture has cooled slightly before adding the M&Ms, and fold them in very gently and quickly. Also, don't add them until the very end of the mixing process to minimize handling.

Easter Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Description

These Easter Rice Krispie Treats are a delightful twist on the classic dessert, combining marshmallows, Rice Krispies, Chex, Frosted Cheerios, and festive Easter candies. Perfectly gooey, crunchy, and packed with flavor, they make a wonderful treat for gatherings or a sweet holiday indulgence. Quick and easy to prepare, these no-bake treats are sure to bring joy to your celebrations.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Base Ingredients:

1/2 cup salted butter
10 cups mini marshmallows, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cereal Blend:

5 cups Rice Krispies
2 cups Rice Chex
2 cups Frosted Cheerios

Mix-ins:

1 cup Easter M&Ms
2 teaspoons Easter sprinkles

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Baking Pan:
Premeasure all ingredients before starting the recipe. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and coat it with non-stick spray. Set aside.
Melt the Marshmallows and Butter:
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the salted butter and 8 cups of mini marshmallows. Stir occasionally until the mixture is completely smooth.
Incorporate Vanilla and Cereals:
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract, followed by the remaining 2 cups of mini marshmallows, the Rice Krispies, Rice Chex, and Frosted Cheerios. Mix until all the cereals are evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture.
Add Mix-ins:
Work quickly to fold in the Easter M&Ms and sprinkles. Be careful not to stir too vigorously, as you don’t want the candies to bleed their colors into the mixture.
Transfer to the Baking Dish:
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with additional M&Ms and sprinkles, if desired. Use a piece of parchment paper or greased hands to gently press the mixture evenly into the pan. Avoid pressing too hard, as this can make the treats dense and hard.
Set and Cut:
Allow the mixture to cool and set for at least 30 minutes. Once set, remove it from the pan and cut it into squares of your desired size.

Notes

If using unsalted butter, add ½ teaspoon of salt for flavor balance.
Corn Chex can be used as a substitute for Rice Chex, but avoid using Wheat Chex as their texture differs significantly.
You can experiment with other Cheerio varieties for different flavors.
Avoid adding the M&Ms too early, as their color may bleed into the mixture when hot.
For best results, press the mixture gently to maintain a light and chewy texture.
Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 treat
Calories: 210
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 10mg