Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
These Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats add a fun twist to this nostalgic childhood snack. The strawberry flavor is subtle but very much present and the texture is perfectly soft and gooey in every bite.
To be honest, it will be hard to make Rice Krispie Treats any other way after trying this recipe.
While the strawberry flavor is subtle, it is very much present in each bite!
And incredibly tasty.
Plus, do you see how beautiful they are?! They are sure to impress a crowd in both taste AND presentation without having to do a ton of work in the kitchen.
Main Ingredients
- Salted Butter – I use salted butter because that is what we have on hand. However, you can use unsalted butter and add a pinch of salt into the marshmallow mixture.
- Marshmallows – Large or mini? You can use either! I like to use the large but mini work just as well.
- Vanilla Extract – A high quality vanilla extract (or vanilla paste) adds great flavor to this simple recipe.
- Crispy Rice Cereal – You can use the name brand or basic store brand. I bought mine at Stop&Shop using their generic rice cereal.
- Freeze-dried Strawberries – These can get expensive and suggest getting them from Trader Joe’s if you have one nearby or via Amazon.
What is the secret to soft Rice Krispie Treats?
- Use fresh marshmallows
- A higher marshmallow to cereal ratio
- Melting the marshmallows on low heat
- Enough butter (don’t skimp or try to cut back on the butter!)
- Stir consistently to avoid burning the marshmallow
Mistakes to Avoid When Making Rice Krispie Treats
A common mistake that occurs when making Rice Krispies Treats is overheating the marshmallows.
Which can create a hard texture…and we don’t want that!
Another mistake is over-mixing the cereal, which can result in a dense, compact texture.
Lastly, if you use old marshmallows or press the mixture too firmly into the pan, it can also impact the final result texture negatively.
Step By Step for Making Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
The full-detailed instructions are written out in the recipe card below. Use these images to help guide you as needed when following the directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free rice cereal and ensuring that the marshmallows you use are gluten-free as well (they usually are but double check).
No, fresh strawberries have such a high water content that they will change the final result and texture of the treats.
No, you should never refrigerate any Rice Krispie Treat. This will cause them to get hard/dry, losing their soft and chewy texture.
They should cool for at least 30 minutes at room temperature before cutting. For best results, allow them to cool for 1-2 hours, or until they are firm enough to hold their shape when cut.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Salted Butter
- 12 oz Marshmallows
- 1 cup Freeze-dried Strawberries, crushed
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract or Paste
- 4 cups Rice Cereal
Instructions
- Line a square 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick on any uncovered sides/areas
- In a large saucepan, add the salted butter over medium heat
- Once the butter is melted, add the marshmallows and reduce the heat to low
- Stir constantly until melted and no clumps remain
- Add in the vanilla extract
- Mix until incorporated
- Add the crushed freeze-dried strawberries
- Stir into the marshmallow until incorporated
- Remove the pan from the heat and add in the rice cereal
- Fold until combined and all cereal is coated in the marshmallow mixture
- Transfer the Rice Krispie Treat batter to the prepared pan
- Spray a spatula with nonstick to easily spread into an even layer, pressing gently
- Top with a few extra freeze-dried strawberries for topping/decoration
- Let sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours
- Slice and enjoy!