Jolly Rice Krispie Thanksgiving Treats for Kids Recipe

Colorful marshmallow Thanksgiving rice krispie treats add sparkle to holiday gatherings with their delightful crunch and sweet charm.

These simple desserts blend nostalgia and festive fun for children and adults alike.

Decorating each treat becomes an exciting activity that brings smiles and creates memories.

Kids love helping craft these adorable seasonal snacks with their vibrant autumn colors.

Sprinkles, candy corn, and melted chocolate turn ordinary rice krispie squares into delectable Thanksgiving masterpieces.

The combination of gooey marshmallows and crispy rice cereal ensures every bite delivers pure happiness.

You’ll find these easy treats are the perfect way to celebrate the season’s warmth and joy.

Ingredients for Kid-Friendly Krispie Treats

• Rice Krispies Cereal: Crispy foundation that gives signature crunch and structure to treats.
• Marshmallows: Creates sweet, sticky binding agent that holds everything together smoothly.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps prevent mixture from sticking.

• Candy Corn: Classic autumn decoration that mimics turkey tail feathers.
• Candy Eyes: Adorable embellishment that brings character to turkey shapes.
• Mini Peanut Butter Cups: Perfect base for creating turkey body design.
• Pretzel Stick: Natural stem replacement for pumpkin-shaped treats.
• Food Coloring (Orange): Transforms treats into festive seasonal colors.
• Green Gummy/Icing: Adds realistic leaf accent to pumpkin designs.

• Chocolate Melts: Provides smooth coating and additional flavor dimension.
• Candy Melts: Creates colorful decorative drizzles matching autumn palette.
• Red Icing: Crafts precise turkey wattle details.
• Orange Icing: Designs intricate turkey beak.
• Melted Chocolate

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 12

Tools to Make Rice Krispie Thanksgiving Treats

• Large Pot: Essential for melting butter and marshmallows smoothly.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients without sticking.
• 9×13-inch Baking Pan: Key for pressing and shaping Rice Krispie mixture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cookie Cutters (leaf-shaped): Optional for creating fun seasonal shapes.
• Baking Sheet or Platter: For serving and displaying finished treats.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl (optional): Alternative for melting marshmallows and butter.

How to Shape Thanksgiving Krispie Treats

• Melt Marshmallow Magic

Heat butter in a large pot over medium warmth. Toss in marshmallows and stir until they transform into a silky smooth puddle. Splash in vanilla for an extra flavor boost if you want.

• Create Crispy Goodness

Pull the pot off the heat and gently fold Rice Krispies into the marshmallow mixture. Make sure every single crisp gets coated in sweet, gooey goodness.

• Shape Thanksgiving Delights

Press the mixture into a greased pan or roll into playful shapes. For turkey treats, grab peanut butter cups as bodies and candy corn for tail feathers. Transform pumpkin creations with orange food coloring and pretzel stem toppers.

• Decorate with Festive Flair

Bring your treats to life with candy eyes, colorful icing, and creative touches. Drizzle with fall-colored chocolate or add cute little leaf designs using cookie cutters.

• Let the Treats Chill

Give your masterpieces time to set at room temperature or in the fridge. Once firm, arrange on a fun platter and watch kids’ eyes light up with excitement.

Creative Ideas to Dress Up These Holiday Snacks

• Prepare Rice Krispie treats up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container at room temperature for stress-free holiday baking.
• Swap regular Rice Krispies for gluten-free rice cereal to make these treats safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Replace butter with coconut oil or dairy-free margarine for a vegan-friendly version that everyone can enjoy.
• Get kids involved by setting up a decorating area with various candies, sprinkles, and icing to create their own unique Thanksgiving-themed treats.
• Experiment with different extract flavors like almond or maple to add a seasonal twist to the classic marshmallow mixture.

Serve Krispie Treats That Bring Holiday Smiles

• Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece Magic: Arrange the adorable turkey and pumpkin Rice Krispie treats in a playful cluster on a wooden board, creating a festive edible display that doubles as a conversation starter.
• Kids' Dessert Adventure Station: Set up a decorating area with extra candy, icing, and sprinkles where children can personalize their own Rice Krispie treats, turning dessert into a fun interactive experience.
• Classroom Party Sharing Delight: Pack individual treats in clear cellophane bags tied with autumn-colored ribbons, perfect for school celebrations or as cute take-home gifts for friends.
• Family Baking Bonding Moment: Invite kids to help shape and decorate the treats together, making memories while creating delicious Thanksgiving-themed snacks that everyone will enjoy.

Store Them So They Stay Crunchy and Cute

• Spread treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to help them set faster and maintain their festive shapes.
• Layer treats between wax paper sheets when storing to prevent sticking and maintain individual decorations. Use an airtight container to keep them fresh.
• Enjoy these delightful Thanksgiving treats within 3-4 days when stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain texture and flavor.
• Prepare Rice Krispie treats up to two days before your Thanksgiving gathering. Decorate them the day before serving to ensure maximum visual appeal and optimal taste.

Festive Rice Krispie Thanksgiving Treats for Kids

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Festive Rice Krispie Thanksgiving Treats bring holiday cheer to little ones with colorful marshmallow magic. Kids will love decorating these playful desserts that capture the spirit of family gatherings and sweet memories.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (10 oz / 280 g) mini marshmallows
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 6 cups (160 g) Rice Krispies cereal
• ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• Food coloring: orange, red, yellow, and brown (as needed)
• Candy eyes
• Mini candy corn
• Chocolate chips or melted chocolate
• Pretzel sticks
• Mini peanut butter cups
• Fruit roll-ups or fruit leather
• Colored icing or frosting

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Instructions

1. Melt Foundation: In a large pot, gently melt butter over medium heat. Incorporate marshmallows, stirring until transformed into a silky smooth mixture. Blend in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
2. Cereal Integration: Remove from heat and delicately fold Rice Krispies cereal, ensuring complete and even coating of each crisp morsel.
3. Molding Stage: Transfer mixture into a greased pan, pressing firmly to create uniform consistency. Allow to rest and stabilize for 15 minutes.
4. Turkey Design: Craft small spherical treats. Position a peanut butter cup as the body. Attach candy corn as tail feathers using melted chocolate. Affix candy eyes and pipe orange and red icing to create beak and wattle.
5. Pumpkin Transformation: Infuse mixture with orange food coloring. Shape into rounded pumpkin forms. Insert pretzel stick as stem. Embellish with green gummy or icing leaf.
6. Autumn Leaf Variation: Spread mixture evenly and utilize leaf-shaped cookie cutters. Enhance with colored chocolate drizzles or autumn-toned candy melts.
7. Finishing Touch: Allow decorated treats to solidify at room temperature or refrigerate until decorations set firmly. Display on a seasonal platter for delightful presentation.

Notes

• Coat your hands with cooking spray or butter when shaping the treats to avoid messy, sticky hands and ensure smooth, easy molding.
• Use low-medium heat and stir constantly to prevent burning; remove from heat immediately once marshmallows are completely smooth to maintain perfect texture.
• Add food coloring sparingly and mix thoroughly before adding cereal to achieve vibrant, even colors without compromising the treat’s consistency.
• Store Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to keep them soft and fresh, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 60 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg