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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (No Bake) » Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats for Christmas

    PUBLISHED: December 23, 2021 • By Toni Dash 8 Comments

    Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats for Christmas

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    reindeer christmas rice krispie treats with title overlay

    Transform classic rice krispie treats into Santa’s Reindeer Christmas rice krispie treats! These easy, delicious treats are a favorite for the holiday season.

    reindeer christmas rice krispie treats with title overlay

    Spruce up the Christmas dessert table with this easy holiday treat recipe. Adorable reindeer rice krispie treats are a favorite for kids of all ages. They are such a surprise and so delicious. They make a cute Christmas dessert or decorative treat for school events.

    The hardest part? Not eating them all before Santa arrives. Rumor has it they are a favorite of his for the holiday cheer factor.

    Pair these with our Christmas Tree rice krispies treats and some Christmas cookies (definitely some sugar cookies) for a festive desserts tray for Christmas parties.

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Ingredient Notes
    • How to Make Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats – Step-by-Step
    • Pro Tips
    • How to Store
    • More recipes you’ll love!
    • Recipe

    Recipe Ingredient Notes

    reindeer rice krispie treats labelled ingredients

    Rice Krispies cereal. Any crispy rice cereal works, actual Rice Krispies brand or another brand. If gluten-free note rice krispies cereal (upon publishing this recipe) is NOT gluten-free. We use Barbara’s Brown Rice crisped rice cereal but there are other gluten-free brands too.

    Mini marshmallows. You’ll need 6 cups which should be a 10 ounce bag (check the package serving amounts as they can change over time).

    Butter. You’ll use salted butter for this holiday treats recipe.

    White vanilla candy melts. Also called melting wafers. These can be found in craft store baking departments, with baking aisle of the grocery store or online. Any brand will work but we love Ghirardelli brand melting wafers. They melt and harden well, and have a great vanilla flavor. These work better than white chocolate chips in terms of melting and hardening.

    Red and Brown M&Ms candies. M&M’s brand or a generic brand can be used. You’ll need these two colors (enjoy the other colors!). You’ll need 24 brown for eyes and either brown OR red for the nose (or a mix): 12 total.

    Chocolate covered mini pretzels. These create the antlers. Regular or gluten-free pretzels can be used (for gluten-free we like Glutino brand). Flipz is a popular brand for regular chocolate covered pretzels.

    Candy eyes. These can be found at craft stores with a baking section, in the baking aisle of the grocery store (depending on the store) or online. They are edible candy eyes.

    I can’t find candy eyes. Is there something else I can use?

    If you can find candy eyes in your local store and don’t want to purchase online you can create an eye using white chocolate and a mini chocolate chip. The chocolate chip will be the pupil of the eye. That should give you an idea of how big to make the white chocolate portion of the eye. Place a small dab of melted white chocolate where you want to position each eye. Take a mini chocolate chip and place it, point side down, into the center of the white chocolate.

    Other supplies you’ll need:

    • 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish
    • Nonstick cooking spray
    reindeer rice krispies treats on plate

    How to Make Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1. Preparation

    Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

    reindeer christmas rice krispie treats recipe steps 1-4

    STEP 2. Make treat mixture

    In a large heavy Dutch oven or large saucepan melt butter over low heat (photo 1). Stir in the vanilla extract (photo 2).

    Add in the marshmallows and stir continuously until they have melted (photo 3).

    Stir the rice krispies cereal into the melted marshmallow mixture until coated with the marshmallow cream (photos 4-5).

    reindeer christmas rice krispie treats recipe steps 5-8

    STEP 3. Add to baking dish

    Using a large spoon sprayed with nonstick spray or a buttered spatula, spoon the coated rice krispies into the prepared baking dish and gently press down with firm pressure to spread the mixture (photos 6-7). Refer to Pro Tips section.

    Allow the rice krispie mixture to cool for 30 minutes.

    reindeer christmas rice krispie treats recipe steps 9-12

    STEP 4. Cutting the reindeer

    Using a spatula gently loosen the edges of the treats. Turn the dish over onto a clean cutting board or lift and move to cutting board. Use a large knife to trim the edges so they are straight (photo 8). Set aside the trimmed pieces.

    Using a sharp knife, cut the block of treats down the middle the long way. This will split the treats into two pieces (photo 9).

    Cut each section on an angle to form triangle shaped pieces (6 per section for 12 reindeer total)(photos 10-11).

    reindeer christmas rice krispie treats recipe steps 13-16

    STEP 5. Melt the candy wafers

    Place the white chocolate melts into a microwave safe container. Follow the directions for your brand of white chocolate melts.

    If they do not have directions, then microwave for 1 minute at 50% power or on the defrost setting. Stir well. If not melted place in microwave for 30 seconds and stir again.

    STEP 6. Decorate rice krispies reindeer

    Place a small amount of melted chocolate on the back of one corner of a mini pretzel and stick it to a corner of the treat (opposite from the point of the triangle) to be an antler. Repeat for the other side (photos 12-14).

    Using a spoon or a toothpick, place a small amount of melted white chocolate on the back of each eye and position on the reindeer (photo 15).

    Using a spoon or a toothpick place a small amount of the melted white chocolate on the side of the M&M that has the printed logo. Press the red or brown M&M on the tip of the triangle to make the nose. Some will be Rudolph Reindeers (red nose) and other will be one of the other 8 Reindeer that pull Santa’s sleigh (brown nose)(photo 16).

    STEP 7. Chill to set

    Place the decorated treats on a baking sheet and put in the refrigerator or 5 to 10 minutes to harden the chocolate.

    reindeer rice krispies treats overhead

    Pro Tips

    How to keep the rice krispies mixture from sticking. The marshmallow coated rice krispies are very sticky. To help keep them from sticking to the spoon when moving them to the baking dish and to your hands when pressing them into the baking dish, coat the spoon and your fingers with a small amount of nonstick cooking spray, oil, or butter. We personally use cooking spray. Works like a charm!

    Use fresh marshmallows. For the best results buy a fresh bag of marshmallows. That bag that’s been sitting in your pantry? Add those to a cup of hot chocolate instead.

    How to Store

    Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Note they are best in the first three days and will become gradually harder after that. Do not refrigerate.

    Layer wax paper or parchment paper between single layers of rice krispy treats.

    reindeer rice krispies treats on plate side

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    Recipe

    reindeer rice krispies treats overhead sq

    Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats

    Soft chewy Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats are fun and easy to make. This no bake recipe is always the hit of the holiday season.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Cooling time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 12 reindeer treats
    Calories: 221kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Equipment

    9-inch by 13-inch baking pan
    9-inch by 13-inch baking pan

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups rice krispie cereal
    • 6 cups mini marshmallows
    • 4 tablespoons salted butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 24 Chocolate covered mini pretzels 24 plus more for any breakage
    • 1/2 cup vanilla candy melts
    • 36 Red and brown M&M’s 1 red M&M, 35 brown
    • 24 Candy eyes
    • Nonstick spray

    Instructions

    To make the treats

    • Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
    • In a large pot or Dutch oven over low heat melt the butter. Stir in the vanilla extract.
    • Add in the marshmallows and stir continuously until they have melted.
    • Stir in the rice krispie cereal until coated with the marshmallow cream.
    • Spoon the coated rice krispies into the prepared baking dish and gently press down to spread the mixture.
      Allow the rice krispie mixture to cool for 30 minutes.
    • Using a spatula gently loosen the edges of the treats. Turn the dish over onto a clean cutting board.
      Use a large knife to trim the edges so they are straight. Set aside the trimmed pieces.
    • Cut the block of treats down the middle the long way. This will split the treats into two pieces.
    • Cut each section on an angle to form triangle shaped pieces.
    • Place the vanilla candy melts into a microwave safe container. Follow the directions for your brand of white chocolate melts.
      If they do not have directions, then microwave for 1 minute at 50% power or on the defrost setting. Stir well. If not melted place in microwave for 30 seconds and stir again.
    • Decorate the treats:

    To Decorate the treats

    • ANTLERS: Place a small amount of melted chocolate on the back of one corner of a mini pretzel and stick it to a corner of the treat (opposite from the point of the triangle) to be an antler. Repeat for the other side.
    • EYES: Using a spoon or a toothpick, place a small amount of melted white chocolate on the back of each brown M&M 'eye' and position on the reindeer.
    • NOSE: Using a spoon or a toothpick place a small amount of the melted white chocolate on the side of the M&M that has the printed logo. Press the red or brown M&M on the tip of the triangle to make the nose.
      NOTE: Some will be Rudolph Reindeers (red nose) and other will be one of the other 8 Reindeer that pull Santa’s sleigh (brown nose) depending on your preference.
    • Place the decorated treats on a baking sheet and put in the refrigerator or 5 to 10 minutes to harden the chocolate.

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes
    Cereal: regular or gluten-free crispy rice cereal can be used.
    M&M’s: you’ll need 24 brown for eyes and an addition 12 red OR brown for the nose. Red for Rudolph and brown for other reindeer.
    How to Store
    Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Note they are best in the first three days and will become gradually harder after that. Do not refrigerate.
    Layer wax paper or parchment paper between single layers of rice krispy treats.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 1059IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 4mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
    « Christmas Tree Rice Krispies Treats
    Chocolate Marble Loaf Cake recipe »

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Allyssa says

      December 24, 2021 at 1:33 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing this amazing reindeer rice krispie treats recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

      Reply
    2. Erin says

      December 24, 2021 at 12:08 am

      5 stars
      I made these treats with my son and we had so much fun! They are adorable and look just like yours. Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Stephanie says

      December 23, 2021 at 9:51 pm

      5 stars
      Super cute! My kids loved this treat so much!

      Reply
    4. MJ says

      December 23, 2021 at 9:30 am

      5 stars
      This is such a fun idea and was so easy to do with the kiddos! Thanks!

      Reply
    5. Nic says

      December 23, 2021 at 9:25 am

      5 stars
      So cute and so fun and so yum! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    6. Patricia says

      December 23, 2021 at 8:01 am

      5 stars
      It just does not get any cuter for the season! These are a hit with the kiddos and people love how adorable they are!

      Reply
    7. Claudia Lamascolo says

      December 23, 2021 at 7:59 am

      5 stars
      what an adorable idea getting everything to make with the kids they will love it! Thanks and merry christmas

      Reply
    8. Shadi Hasanzade says

      December 23, 2021 at 7:55 am

      5 stars
      LOVE rice krispie treats! These are so festive and perfect for this season!

      Reply

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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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