I absolutely love this S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe because it’s like reliving those cozy campfire nights right in your own kitchen. The combination of crunchy Rice Krispies and Golden Grahams with gooey marshmallows and melty chocolate bars creates a nostalgic treat that’s just irresistible. You’ll find that it’s quick to make, perfect for last-minute dessert cravings or fun gatherings with friends and family.
When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how it elevated the classic Rice Krispies treat with that iconic s’mores flavor. It’s not too sweet, just the right balance of textures, and ends up being a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re making it for a party or a simple afternoon snack, the S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe always hits the spot and will have everyone coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nostalgic Flavors: This recipe perfectly captures the classic s’mores taste with crispy, gooey, and chocolatey layers.
- Easy and Quick: You can whip this up in about 15 minutes—ideal for when you want a delight without the wait.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it’s a kids’ party or an adult dessert buffet, people never seem to get enough.
- Perfect Texture: The mix of Rice Krispies and Golden Grahams gives a great crunch, balanced by the soft marshmallows and melty chocolate chunks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe come together beautifully to give you that quintessential campfire taste, with a little extra crunch from the Golden Grahams. Using jumbo marshmallows and mini marshmallows adds depth in texture and gooeyness, which I find really makes the difference.
- Salted butter: Helps add a rich flavor and ensures the treats hold together well.
- Jumbo marshmallows: They melt smoothly and give the base gooey texture you want in every bite.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle warmth and rounds out the sweetness perfectly.
- Rice Krispies cereal: The classic crunchy base that everyone loves.
- Golden Grahams cereal: Adds a hint of honey and extra crunch for that s’mores vibe.
- Mini marshmallows: Used both inside for texture and on top for a soft, toasted effect.
- Hershey bars: Chocolate pieces melt partially, giving you pockets of rich chocolate goodness.
Variations
I love playing around with this S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe to suit different tastes and occasions. Feel free to experiment by swapping out cereals or adding fun mix-ins to personalize it for your crowd.
- Peanut Butter Twist: Swirl in some melted peanut butter with the marshmallow mixture for a nutty boost—my family goes crazy for this version!
- Nut-Free Option: To keep it allergy-friendly, skip adding any nuts or nut-based chocolates, and opt for a safe chocolate brand.
- Seasonal Flair: Add festive sprinkles or swap Hershey bars for peppermint bark around the holidays—great for gifting too!
- Vegan Adaptation: Use vegan marshmallows and dairy-free butter, then swap chocolate for a plant-based variety.
How to Make S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan for Easy Release
Start by lining a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, creating a “sling” so you can easily lift the treats out later. Alternatively, lightly butter the dish. This simple prep step saves you from scraping sticky marshmallow messes and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
Melt 6 tablespoons of salted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add your jumbo marshmallows slowly, stirring continuously to prevent burning. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes—you want them fully melted and smooth, not burnt. Stir gently to keep it silky.
Step 3: Mix in Vanilla and Cereals
Remove the pan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for that warm undertone. Then add the Rice Krispies, Golden Grahams, and 1 1/2 cups of mini marshmallows, folding everything together carefully so each bit of cereal is evenly coated in that sticky sweetness.
Step 4: Layer and Add the Chocolate
Transfer half of the cereal mixture into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle half of the broken Hershey bar pieces over the layer, then scatter half of the remaining mini marshmallows on top. Repeat with the rest of the mixture, gently pressing down—but not too hard! Over-packing makes the treats dense and tough. Finish with the remaining chocolate and marshmallows for that perfect gooey, melty topping.
Step 5: Cool and Cut
Let your S’mores Rice Krispies Treats cool completely at room temperature, about 30 minutes, before slicing into small squares. If you try cutting them too soon, they might crumble or stick to the knife. Using a sharp, lightly greased knife helps you get clean edges every time.
Pro Tips for Making S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
- Don’t Rush Melting Marshmallows: Low and slow heat prevents burning and gives you the smoothest base for mixing.
- Use Fresh Cereal: Stale Rice Krispies or Golden Grahams can make treats less crispy, so always choose a fresh box for best results.
- Gentle Pressing: Pressing the mixture lightly into the pan keeps the treats light and chewy instead of dense and hard.
- Cut After Cooling: Cutting your treats fully cooled avoids crumbling and keeps your squares neat and tidy.
How to Serve S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
Garnishes
Personally, I love sprinkling a few extra mini marshmallows on top before serving for that fresh, toasty look. You can also dust a little cocoa powder or drizzle melted chocolate for a fancier touch. Toasting the top under a broiler for 1 minute adds an irresistible caramelized marshmallow layer if you’re feeling fancy.
Side Dishes
These treats really shine on their own, but I sometimes pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk to balance the sweetness. For gatherings, they’re a fun dessert alongside fresh fruit platters or light sorbets.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve had fun presenting these on rustic wooden boards for campfire-themed parties or stacking them as mini towers for birthday celebrations. Wrapping individual squares in parchment with cute twine also makes adorable edible favors that guests rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover S’mores Rice Krispies Treats in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. I like to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They keep their texture surprisingly well if you don’t squeeze them too tightly.
Freezing
If you want to keep them longer, these treats freeze nicely! Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. I’ve frozen leftovers for up to a month, and they thaw with minimal loss in texture.
Reheating
To refresh frozen or stored treats, I pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to soften slightly—the marshmallow goo melts nicely again and the chocolate gets that melty magic back. Just don’t overheat or they’ll get too sticky!
FAQs
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Can I use regular marshmallows instead of jumbo for this S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe?
Absolutely! If jumbo marshmallows aren’t available, you can substitute with regular marshmallows by using about 4 cups to maintain the gooey texture. Just keep an eye on melting time as smaller marshmallows melt faster.
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What’s the difference between using Rice Krispies alone versus adding Golden Grahams?
Golden Grahams add an extra layer of honeyed sweetness and a bit more crunch, which gives this S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe a deeper flavor profile reminiscent of actual s’mores graham crackers. Mixing both cereals makes the treats more interesting texturally and taste-wise.
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How do I prevent my S’mores Rice Krispies Treats from getting too hard?
The key is to gently press the cereal mixture into the pan without compacting it too much. Over-compressing crushes the air pockets, resulting in dense, hard treats. Also, avoid overcooking the marshmallows during melting, as that can cause them to stiffen.
Final Thoughts
Making this S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe has been one of my favorite kitchen adventures because it brings a little magic from the campfire into everyday life. It’s simple, joyful, and downright delicious—a perfect way to share a smile with people you love. I can’t recommend it enough if you want quick, crowd-pleasing treats that feel special without the fuss. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it again and again!
Print
S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
S’mores Rice Krispies Treats combine the classic crispy rice cereal and gooey marshmallow base with all the flavors of a traditional s’more, including Hershey’s chocolate bars and Golden Grahams cereal. This easy no-bake treat is perfect for a quick dessert or snack that captures the nostalgic campfire taste in a convenient, chewy bar.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1 (12-ounce) bag jumbo marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cereal Mix
- 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 2 cups Golden Grahams cereal
- 2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows, divided (about 1/2 of a 10-ounce bag)
Toppings
- 4 Hershey bars, broken into pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with a parchment paper sling or lightly butter it to ensure easy removal of the treats later.
- Melt butter: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons of salted butter until fully liquefied.
- Add marshmallows: Add the entire 12-ounce bag of jumbo marshmallows to the melted butter. Stir continuously and gently melt over medium heat until the marshmallows are completely smooth and combined.
- Flavor the mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the sweetness and aroma.
- Combine cereals and marshmallows: Mix in 4 cups of Rice Krispies, 2 cups of Golden Grahams, and 1 1/2 cups of mini marshmallows. Stir carefully until all cereal pieces are evenly coated with the melted marshmallow mixture.
- Layer the treats: Transfer half of this cereal mixture into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle half of the chopped Hershey’s bar pieces and half of the remaining 1 cup mini marshmallows over this layer.
- Add the rest of the mixture: Pour the remaining cereal mixture on top and gently press it down to compact slightly. Avoid pressing too hard to keep the treats from becoming dense and hard.
- Top with extras: Finally, sprinkle the remaining Hershey’s chocolate pieces and mini marshmallows evenly on top for a melty, gooey finish.
- Slice and serve: Allow the treats to set for a few minutes at room temperature, then cut into small squares and serve for a delightful s’mores-inspired snack.
Notes
- Using a parchment paper sling makes it easier to remove the treats from the pan without sticking.
- You can substitute milk chocolate Hershey bars with dark chocolate or other chocolate types if desired.
- Press the mixture lightly to avoid making the treats too dense, which can affect the texture.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure your cereals are certified gluten-free.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (approx. 2.5×2.5 inches)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
