Imagine the crispy, chewy magic of your childhood Rice Krispie treats meeting the warmth and comfort of a home-baked cookie. These Rice Krispie Treat Cookies are everything you love about nostalgic bake sales and after-school snacks rolled into a tender, golden cookie with pockets of gooey marshmallow. With just a handful of familiar ingredients, you’ll whip up a treat that’s equal parts fun, comforting, and impossible to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in these Rice Krispie Treat Cookies plays a starring role. From toasty cereal crunch to silky marshmallow pulls and that classic cookie backbone, each piece is simple but absolutely essential for that perfect flavor and texture combo everyone will be raving about.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup): Adds richness and helps both the cookies and the cereal base hold together perfectly.
- Mini marshmallows (1 package, 10 ounces): Melt down to create that iconic gooey, chewy bite—just like classic treats.
- Rice Krispies cereal (3 cups): The crunch factor—gives cookies their irresistible crispy texture and lightness.
- All-purpose flour (1 cup): The structure for our cookies, balancing chewiness with a tender crumb.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): For that little lift, ensuring these cookies bake up just right.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Tiny, but mighty—enhances every sweet, toasty note in the cookie.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens and adds a hint of crispness at the very edges.
- Egg (1 large): Binds everything together and adds just the right amount of tenderness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): A must for cozy flavor and aroma that ties all the elements together.
How to Make Rice Krispie Treat Cookies
Step 1: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
Set a large saucepan over low heat and add your butter, waiting just until it’s all melted and glossy. Stir in the mini marshmallows and keep things moving gently with your spoon – patience is key for a smooth, melty consistency. Once it’s totally pourable and lump-free, you’re ready for the next step.
Step 2: Incorporate Rice Krispies
Take the saucepan off the heat and immediately add the Rice Krispies cereal. Stir, fold, and toss until every little puff is shiny and marshmallow-coated. Let this glorious mixture cool down slightly so it won’t melt the cookies’ structure later on.
Step 3: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Grab a separate bowl and bring together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk for even distribution—this will help your Rice Krispie Treat Cookies bake up perfectly all around.
Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients
In another mixing bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until just combined. This little extra mixing moment helps create that soft, classic cookie texture we all crave.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry
Slowly blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Don’t overmix—aim for a dough that just comes together so your cookies stay tender.
Step 6: Fold in the Rice Krispies Mixture
Now, gently fold the cooled marshmallow-cereal mixture into your dough. Make sure to evenly distribute those crispy, chewy bits for Rice Krispie Treat Cookies that deliver joy in every single bite.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of breathing room. Pop them in a 350°F oven for 10–12 minutes, until the edges look beautifully golden. Let them rest on the sheet for 5 minutes before cooling completely on a wire rack.
How to Serve Rice Krispie Treat Cookies
Garnishes
For a playful finishing touch, try a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right out of the oven, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or an extra handful of mini marshmallows pressed in while still warm. These choices take your Rice Krispie Treat Cookies from fantastic to unforgettable, adding extra pops of flavor and fun.
Side Dishes
A tall, icy glass of milk is the unbeatable classic, but these cookies also play perfectly with a cup of rich hot cocoa, cold cold brew, or even a creamy vanilla milkshake. Their sweet, melty bites complement anything cozy and sippable, creating the snack break of your dreams!
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them tall and tie with baker’s twine for a nostalgic gift, arrange on a colorful platter for a birthday bash, or use as the star in a cookie sundae: top a fresh-baked Rice Krispie Treat Cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a handful of sprinkles. However you serve them, these cookies are impossible to resist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Rice Krispie Treat Cookies chewy and fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll hold their magic for up to five days—if they last that long!
Freezing
Want to save some treats for later? Pop cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag with parchment between layers. Freeze for up to two months; just thaw at room temperature and they’ll be nearly as delightful as the day you baked them.
Reheating
For that fresh-baked warmth and a slightly melty marshmallow experience, place a cookie in the microwave for just 6–8 seconds. It wakes up the gooey factor without overdoing it—pure, nostalgic bliss.
FAQs
Can I use large marshmallows instead of mini?
Yes, you can! Simply chop them up a bit so they melt more evenly, and proceed as the recipe directs. The mini size just makes for quicker melting.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely—swap in your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour, and double-check that your cereal is certified gluten-free. The results will still be crisp, chewy, and delicious.
What other mix-ins work well?
Try chocolate chips, colorful sprinkles, or chopped nuts folded in with the cereal mixture. Even a swirl of peanut butter can send these Rice Krispie Treat Cookies over the top!
How can I keep the cookies soft?
Store them tightly sealed and add a slice of bread or marshmallow in the container—the cookies soak up the moisture and stay perfectly chewy for days.
Can I halve or double the recipe?
Definitely. Halve for a smaller batch or double for a cookie party! Just stick to the ratios and watch your baking time—sometimes, smaller cookies bake a minute or two faster.
Final Thoughts
If you crave cookies that deliver extra crunch, ooey-gooey sweetness, and pure, playful nostalgia, you’ll fall in love with Rice Krispie Treat Cookies. Gather your ingredients, invite a friend to bake with you, and sink your teeth into a batch of homemade happiness—you’ll be hooked!
Print
Rice Krispie Treat Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Rice Krispie Treat Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic Rice Krispie treats, transformed into chewy, crispy cookies. Perfect for a quick snack or a sweet treat.
Ingredients
For the Rice Krispie Mixture:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 package (10 ounces) mini marshmallows
- 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice Krispie Mixture: In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in Rice Krispies cereal until evenly coated. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Gently fold in the cooled Rice Krispies mixture until evenly distributed.
- Bake the Cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
