Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

If you’re looking to add a little festive magic to your holiday treats, let me introduce you to my absolute favorite holiday snack — the Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats Recipe. These adorable, crunchy, sweet reindeer-shaped treats are honestly as fun to make as they are to eat! Whether you’re making them for a Christmas party, neighborhood gift exchange, or just a cozy night in with family, you’ll find that they bring a big smile with very little fuss.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays its own little role in making this recipe irresistible—creamy margarine for that silky melt, crispy Rice Krispies for crunch, and marshmallows for gooey sweetness. Here’s what I use and recommend grabbing at the store.

• Margarine: I love using Blue Bonnet here because it melts smoothly for that perfect binding without overpowering flavor.
• Full-size Marshmallows: The classic choice! I once tried mini marshmallows and ended up adding more since they weren’t melting quite right.
• Rice Krispies Cereal: The original Great Value brand works just as well and keeps costs down.
• White Almond Bark: This is what glues the decorations on — think ears and eyes party!
• Chocolate Covered Pretzels: They make the perfect “antlers” with a salty crunch contrast.
• M&Ms: Red for Rudolph’s nose, brown for other cute reindeer noses.
• Candy Eyes: These tiny decorations really bring your reindeer to life.
• Colorful Sprinkles: For the finishing “hair” — pure whimsy and fun to personalize.

Variations

I love mixing things up based on what I have in the pantry or the dietary needs of my guests. Feel free to get creative — this recipe is pretty forgiving and suits all sorts of tweaks.

• Chocolate Almond Bark for Decorations: I sometimes switch out white almond bark for chocolate almond bark, especially if you want a richer, more festive look — chocolate-dipped pretzels also work great as antlers.
• Mini Marshmallows Instead of Full-size: If you prefer mini marshmallows, I recommend measuring carefully and melting slowly to avoid burning or clumping.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free crispy rice cereal; you won’t lose any of that classic texture.
• Change Up Candy Decorations: Try using candy-coated chocolate buttons, gummy candy, or edible glitter for a different holiday vibe.

How to Make Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Step 1: Grease Your Pan with Care

Start by spreading 2 tablespoons of margarine evenly around a 10-inch springform pan. This pan choice is great for easy removal later. If you’re feeling extra, popping a parchment paper circle on the bottom after buttering helps with release—but trust me, it’s totally optional. Using your hands for this step helps you get every nook and cranny greased perfectly, preventing those pesky sticking issues.

Step 2: Melt Margarine and Marshmallows

Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of margarine to a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot and melt over medium-high heat. Once it’s nicely melted, toss in all the marshmallows and stir continuously. Here’s the big tip: keep stirring until those marshmallows are completely melted and silky smooth — I once jumped the gun and ended up with a soggy batch because of unmelted chunks. So, patient stirring is key!

Step 3: Stir in the Rice Krispies

Next, pour in your Rice Krispies cereal and stir gently but thoroughly until every flake is well-coated. You don’t want clumps or dry spots — it’s all about that even distribution to get the perfect crunch and binding. Then, pour the mixture right into your prepared pan and press it down gently with your hands or a buttered spatula to create an even layer.

Step 4: Let the Treats Cool and Shape

Allow the treats to cool for about 15–20 minutes — just enough so they firm up but are still pliable. Now the magic happens: place a large cutting board on top of the pan, flip it over, and carefully remove the springform sides and bottom. Then slice your big circle treat first in half, then quarters, and finally cut each quarter into triangles — like slicing a pie. You’re creating the perfect base for your adorable reindeer shapes!

Step 5: Melt Almond Bark and Decorate

Place 2 ounces of white almond bark in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until smooth and melted. Using the almond bark like glue, place a small dot on each triangle’s top corners and stick on one chocolate-covered pretzel per corner — these act as antlers! Then add two dots in the center and place candy eyes. Dot a nose at the point of the triangle with either a red or brown M&M. Finally, add a little almond bark dab for colorful sprinkles between the pretzels to give your reindeer cute “hair.” Let them dry completely before serving — I usually leave them in a cool spot for about 30 minutes.

How to Serve Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

Garnishes

I usually stick with classic colorful sprinkles for the “hair” because they add just the right amount of whimsy and festivity, but sometimes I like to sprinkle edible glitter for extra sparkle. Candy eyes and pretzel antlers are non-negotiable for me — they’re what make these treats so charming and playful!

Side Dishes

These treats are pretty rich on their own, so I like pairing them with simple sides like a mug of hot cocoa or a light fruit salad to balance sweetness. If you’re serving at a party, cut veggies and dip make a nice crunchy contrast to the chewy crunch of the Rice Krispie treats.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to present these is in little clear gift bags tied with festive ribbon and a personalized gift tag. They make fantastic edible gifts that everyone raves about. You could also arrange them on a holiday platter with fresh pine sprigs for a cozy table centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, and they keep their crunch beautifully for about 3 days. If the kitchen’s a bit warm, I’ll pop them in the fridge, where they’ll last up to a week without losing quality.

Freezing

Freezing works well too — wrap each treat individually in wax paper, then double-wrap with plastic wrap. I’ve kept mine in the freezer for up to 3 months and thawed them overnight in the fridge before serving, and they still taste fresh and hold their shape.

Reheating

If you want to soften leftover treats a bit, I gently warm them in the microwave for 5-7 seconds — just enough to bring back some gooeyness without melting the candy decorations.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats Recipe turns out every single time. It’s become a holiday staple in my family because it’s so cheerful and easy, plus it’s one of those recipes that even my kids can help with — which makes it all the more special. If you want a festive, fun, and crowd-pleasing treat that captures all the joy of the season, you really should give these a try. Trust me, your kitchen will fill with happy smiles and warm memories!

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