Hot Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
These Hot Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats are a delightful twist on the classic treat, infused with rich cocoa powder and topped with mini chocolate chips, dehydrated marshmallows, and sprinkles. Perfectly chewy with pockets of gooey marshmallow, these treats make a fun and festive dessert or snack for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 pieces 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ cup hot cocoa powder mix
- 10 cups mini marshmallows, divided
- 9 cups Cocoa Krispies Cereal
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
- ¼ cup dehydrated marshmallows
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray. Set aside to ensure easy removal of treats later.
- Melt the Mixture: In a large pot, melt together the butter, hot cocoa powder mix, and 8 cups of mini marshmallows over low to medium heat. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
- Add Cereal and Remaining Marshmallows: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the Cocoa Krispies cereal, vanilla extract, and the remaining 2 cups of mini marshmallows until all cereal is evenly coated with the chocolate-marshmallow mixture.
- Transfer and Press: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Place another piece of parchment paper on top and gently press the mixture evenly into the pan, being careful not to press too hard to maintain chewy texture.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle dehydrated marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, and optional sprinkles on top. Lightly press them into the surface to help them adhere.
- Cool and Slice: Let the treats cool at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Once set, remove from the pan using the parchment paper and slice into 24 square pieces just before serving to prevent them from drying out.
Notes
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and keep your hands clean while pressing the mixture.
- Don’t press the mixture too hard to ensure treats remain chewy rather than hard.
- Salted butter adds a nice savory contrast; you can substitute unsalted butter and add salt if preferred.
- Adding vanilla extract enhances the marshmallow flavor making the treats more delicious.
- Reserve some marshmallows to mix in with the cereal to create melty pockets throughout the treats.
- Slice treats just before serving to keep edges soft and moist.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Hot Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats, Cocoa Krispies, marshmallow treats, chocolate treats, dessert bars, holiday treats, easy no-bake dessert
