Step right into your childhood with these sweet, chewy, and perfectly chocolatey Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe! It’s like a walk down memory lane, recreating your favorite treat in your very own kitchen—gooey caramel, crispy rice, and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, all in one irresistible cookie that’s even better than the store-bought version.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Nostalgic Treat: Capture the classic, beloved flavor of Star Crunch without ever needing to tear open a plastic wrapper again.
- Irresistibly Gooey Texture: The combination of caramel, marshmallows, and chocolate guarantees a chewy, crunchy bite every single time.
- Easy & Quick: With a handful of pantry staples and under 30 minutes from start to finish, these cookies are the definition of a sweet reward, fast.
- Customizable for Every Craving: Swap the chocolate, add sea salt, or use fun toppings to make this treat truly your own!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how this Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe comes together using just a few simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Each one plays a starring role in the cookie’s iconic chew and crunch, making these homemade treats shine.
- Butter (½ cup): Rich, creamy butter forms the luscious base and helps everything meld together smoothly.
- Kraft caramel bits (2 cups): Using caramel bits is a game-changer—they melt beautifully and bring that classic Star Crunch stickiness we all remember.
- Milk chocolate chips (2 cups): These give the cookies that signature, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate exterior.
- Milk (¼ cup): Just enough to keep the caramel and chocolate silky and manageable during mixing.
- Mini marshmallows (5 ½ cups): Marshmallows add that iconic gooey stretch and sweetness which make every bite so fun.
- Rice Krispies cereal (6 cups): The essential crispy crunch! You can use your favorite brand of crispy rice cereal, just make sure it’s fresh for maximum snap.
Variations
The beauty of this Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to put your own spin on it! Whether you’re adjusting for allergies, special occasions, or personal taste, there are so many ways to play with flavors and textures.
- Dark Chocolate Twist: Swap out milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate, adding a deeper, more grown-up chocolate flavor.
- Salty & Sweet: Sprinkle the tops with flaky sea salt while the cookies are still warm for that perfect contrast.
- Nutty Crunch: Stir in ½ cup chopped toasted pecans or peanuts for extra crunch and nutty richness.
- Gluten-Free: Simply use certified gluten-free crispy rice cereal to make the recipe safe for gluten-sensitive friends and family.
- Festive Flair: Add colorful sprinkles on top before the cookies set for birthday parties or holiday celebrations.
How to Make Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Melt the Chocolate, Caramel, & Butter
Start by adding the butter, caramel bits, milk chocolate chips, and milk to a large saucepan or stockpot. Set it over LOW heat—trust me, patience here pays off to avoid scorching. Use a wooden spoon to gently mash and stir the caramel bits as they begin to soften, helping them melt smoothly into the chocolate and butter. Stir continuously until the mixture is completely creamy and combined, about 5 minutes.
Step 2: Stir in the Marshmallows
Once your chocolate-caramel base is silky, add all the mini marshmallows. Continue stirring over low heat until they’re just melted and the mixture becomes irresistibly glossy, gooey, and thick. It will start to look almost like fudge at this point—remove it from the heat as soon as it’s perfectly smooth.
Step 3: Add the Crispy Rice Cereal
Immediately pour in the crispy rice cereal and gently fold with your spoon, scraping up all that sticky goodness from the bottom and making sure every grain gets coated in chocolate-caramel-marshmallow heaven.
Step 4: Portion and Shape the Cookies
Lay out some parchment paper on a cookie sheet or countertop. Scoop out about ¼ cup of the mixture for each cookie (a cookie scoop or measuring cup works great!). Place the mounds onto the parchment, then use the backside of a plastic measuring cup—lightly greased with nonstick spray—to press each cookie into a thick, round disc. Let them cool for about 5 minutes, then use your hands to gently tuck and press the edges for that true Star Crunch look.
Pro Tips for Making Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe
- Low & Slow Heat: Always use low heat when melting chocolate and caramel—if the heat’s too high, the mixture can seize or scorch in a heartbeat.
- Immediate Shaping Magic: Shape the cookies as soon as the mixture is ready; if you wait too long, it will set and may become hard to work with.
- Nonstick is Your Friend: Coat your cookie scoop, hands, or measuring cup with a bit of cooking spray to prevent a sticky mess when portioning the cookies.
- Get the Perfect Crunch: Use fresh crispy rice cereal—not stale—for that satisfying snap in every bite!
How to Serve Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For something extra special, drizzle your Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe with melted chocolate, a sprinkle of toasted coconut, or a dusting of powdered sugar. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a light pinch of flaky sea salt right on top while the cookies are still warm—the sweet and salty combination is heavenly!
Side Dishes
These cookies are decadent all on their own, but they pair so well with a cold glass of milk, a creamy vanilla milkshake, or even a scoop of coffee ice cream for the ultimate Star Crunch sundae experience. If you want to balance the sweetness, serve them alongside fresh strawberries or orange segments.
Creative Ways to Present
Let your imagination run wild—wrap individual cookies in wax paper for a grab-and-go snack, stack them in cellophane bags for holiday gifts, or cut them into fun shapes with cookie cutters before they set. For parties, arrange them on a tiered tray sprinkled with edible glitter or colorful sprinkles for a bit of nostalgic magic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you live in a particularly warm (or humid) climate, you might want to keep them in the fridge—they’ll stay perfectly chewy and delicious.
Freezing
Absolutely! These cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then stack between sheets of wax paper in a zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to two months, ready to be thawed out and enjoyed any time that starry craving hits.
Reheating
If you like your cookies extra soft and gooey, pop one in the microwave for just 5-8 seconds—watch closely so the chocolate doesn’t melt away. It’s the quickest way to recapture that just-made magic!
FAQs
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Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
Yes, you can! Just chop up large marshmallows into smaller bites before adding them to the mixture so they melt evenly and incorporate smoothly—mini marshmallows simply melt faster.
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Can I use caramel squares instead of caramel bits?
Absolutely! Unwrap the caramel squares and chop them into smaller pieces to help them melt more easily. The flavor will be spot on; just give the mixture a little extra time over low heat to melt them completely.
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Can I make this Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Use vegan butter, dairy-free chocolate chips, and plant-based marshmallows (plus plant milk). Just be sure all your swaps melt well and are allergen-safe for your needs.
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Why are my cookies too gooey or sticky?
If your cookies turn out extra gooey, it’s likely they needed to cool a bit longer or your measurements leaned a bit heavy on the marshmallows or caramel. Let them set a few extra minutes at room temp—or pop them in the fridge for a firmer bite.
Final Thoughts
You are just a few steps (and a swirl of caramel-chocolate magic) away from reliving one of the best treats of your childhood! I hope you love this Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe as much as I do—don’t be surprised if your kitchen becomes everyone’s favorite “bakery” after one batch. Happy snacking, and enjoy every perfectly chewy, star-studded bite!
Print
Copycat Star Crunch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in these homemade Copycat Star Crunch Cookies that taste just like the real deal. A perfect blend of chocolate, caramel, marshmallows, and crispy rice cereal, these cookies are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
- 2 cups Kraft caramel bits (11 ounce bag)
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips (11 ounce bag)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 5 1/2 cups mini marshmallows (10 ounce bag)
- 6 cups rice krispies cereal (crispy rice cereal)
Instructions
- Heat the ingredients: In a large saucepan on LOW heat, combine butter, caramel bits, chocolate chips, and milk. Stir until smooth.
- Melt the mixture: Mash the caramel bits as they heat to speed up melting. Continually stir until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes.
- Add marshmallows: Stir in marshmallows until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Combine with cereal: Stir in the rice krispies cereal until evenly coated.
- Shape the cookies: Scoop ¼ cup portions onto parchment paper. Flatten with a cup. Let cool before shaping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
