Follow these easy steps to create your Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats:
- Start by greasing a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, add the mini marshmallows, stirring continuously until completely melted and smooth. This should only take about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the Rice Krispies cereal to the melted marshmallow mixture, stirring until all the cereal is evenly coated. Be gentle, so the cereal doesn’t break apart.
- Transfer the Rice Krispie mixture into the prepared pan and press it down evenly with a spatula or wax paper. Let it cool for about 15-20 minutes until it’s firm enough to cut into shapes.
- Once the Rice Krispie mixture has cooled, use a sharp knife or cookie cutter to cut out large rectangles or squares, about 3-4 inches wide, for the base of the reindeer’s face.
- Next, break or cut the pretzels into smaller pieces and attach them to the top of each Rice Krispie rectangle to form the reindeer’s antlers. Gently press them into the treat so they stick.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the milk chocolate chips (or candy melts) in 20-30 second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth. Dip the top of each Rice Krispie treat into the melted chocolate to create the reindeer’s face. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off and place the treat back on the cooling rack.
- Immediately press a red M&M or candy-coated chocolate in the center of each treat for the reindeer’s nose.
- For the eyes, use mini marshmallows. Attach two mini marshmallows to each treat with a little melted chocolate, and then use dark chocolate or black icing to pipe small pupils in the center of each marshmallow.
- Allow the chocolate to set for a few minutes before serving or packaging them up. Enjoy your festive, fun Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats!
Serving and Storage
These Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats are perfect for serving at holiday parties, as a fun snack for kids, or as a cute gift during the Christmas season.
Serving:
- Arrange the treats on a festive platter for a fun holiday display. They’re perfect for family gatherings or as a treat for children to enjoy while watching holiday movies.
- If you’re serving at a party, consider placing the treats on individual plates for easy serving or wrapping them in cellophane for a cute gift idea.
- These treats also make a great addition to any holiday dessert table. You can even pair them with other holiday treats like cookies or brownies for a complete spread.
Storage:
Store your Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. The treats will stay fresh, though the pretzels may lose a little crunch over time.
If you want to make them ahead of time, they can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. Just allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Tips
Here are some tips to make your Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats even more fun and festive:
- Customize the toppings: Feel free to get creative with your toppings. You can use mini candy canes for antlers or swap the red M&Ms with other holiday-themed candy for a different look.
- Use different chocolate: If you prefer white chocolate, you can use white chocolate chips or melts instead of milk chocolate for a lighter-colored reindeer face.
- Make mini versions: If you want smaller treats, you can use a cookie cutter to cut smaller shapes out of the Rice Krispies mixture, or simply create mini versions of the reindeer faces for bite-sized fun!
- Try adding a little sparkle: For an extra festive touch, dust your treats with edible glitter or sprinkles before the chocolate hardens for some extra holiday cheer.
- Use a sharp knife: To get the cleanest cuts when shaping your treats, use a sharp, serrated knife and try not to press down too hard on the mixture to maintain the shape of your treats.
Variations
If you want to change up these Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats, here are a few fun variations you can try:
1. Snowman Rice Krispie Treats:
For a different holiday character, create Snowman Rice Krispie Treats by forming the treats into round shapes and decorating with mini chocolate chips for buttons, candy eyes, and orange-colored frosting for the carrot nose.
2. Rudolph Rice Krispie Treats:
If you want to make a variation of Rudolph, just use a larger red candy for the nose (or a red gumdrop) and make the antlers slightly bigger. You can also use candy eyes for a different look!
3. Gingerbread Rice Krispie Treats:
For a gingerbread-inspired version, try adding a dash of cinnamon or ginger to the Rice Krispies mixture before pressing it into the pan. You can also decorate them with icing to mimic the look of a gingerbread cookie.
4. Chocolate-Covered Rice Krispie Treats:
If you want to make the treats extra indulgent, dip the entire treat in chocolate (either milk, dark, or white) for a chocolate-covered Rice Krispie treat that’s extra delicious!
Conclusion
Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats are a fun, festive, and easy-to-make holiday treat that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. With their cute reindeer faces and gooey, crunchy Rice Krispies base, they’re sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing holiday party snacks, or giving them as a gift, these treats are sure to bring holiday cheer to everyone!
