Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show your love than with homemade treats? I mean, store-bought candy hearts are fine, but nothing beats the love (and sugar!) packed into something you made yourself. And these Rice Krispie Valentines Treats? They’re *perfect* for spreading the love!
Seriously, this recipe is so easy, it’s practically foolproof. No-bake means no stress, and it’s a blast for both kids and adults. I remember making Rice Krispie treats with my grandma when I was little – talk about messy (and delicious!) memories! These are just as fun, but with a festive Valentine’s Day twist. So, let’s get ready to whip up some Rice Krispie Valentines Treats!
Why You’ll Love These Rice Krispie Valentines Treats
- Quick and easy? You bet!
- Fun for everyone? Absolutely!
- Super customizable? Oh yeah!
- Classic flavor? Always a winner!
Quick and Easy Valentines Dessert
Seriously, you can whip these up in minutes! We’re talking minimal prep time and almost no cook time. Perfect for when you need a sweet treat, FAST!
Perfect for Last-Minute Treats
Forgot about the school Valentine’s party? No problem! You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry already. A quick trip for M&M’s and sprinkles, and you’re golden!
Fun for All Ages
The best part? Kids can totally get in on the action. Let them help measure ingredients, stir (with supervision, of course!), and especially decorate! My little ones *love* drizzling the chocolate and adding the M&M’s. It’s a sweet memory in the making!
Customizable and Festive
Want to use different colored M&M’s? Go for it! Prefer pastel sprinkles? Do it! That’s the beauty of these Rice Krispie Valentines Treats – you can totally make them your own. Get creative and have fun!
Classic Flavor with a Valentine’s Twist
Who doesn’t love a Rice Krispie treat? That familiar, comforting flavor is always a hit. And with the addition of Valentine’s Day M&M’s and sprinkles? It’s like a warm hug in dessert form. Trust me, these will disappear fast!
Ingredients for Your Rice Krispie Valentines Treats
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing Rice Krispie Valentines Treats. Don’t skimp on the good stuff – it makes all the difference, trust me!
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter: Yep, salted! It balances the sweetness perfectly. You can use unsalted, but I always prefer salted in this recipe.
- 16 ounces mini marshmallows, divided: Mini ones melt the best! And we’re dividing them, so pay attention to the instructions.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Gotta have that vanilla! It adds a little something-something that you just can’t skip.
- 6 cups rice krispies cereal: The classic! Don’t try to get fancy here, just plain ol’ Rice Krispies.
- 1 1/4 cup holiday M&M’s: I’m talking the Valentine’s Day kind – red, pink, white. They make it festive!
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles: Jimmies, nonpareils, sugar crystals… whatever your heart desires! Just make sure they’re Valentine’s-y.
- 5 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate melting wafers, melted: These melt so smooth and creamy. If you can’t find them, any good quality white chocolate melting wafers will do!
How to Make Rice Krispie Valentines Treats
Okay, let’s get down to business! This is where the magic happens. Follow these steps, and you’ll be munching on adorable Rice Krispie Valentines Treats in no time. I promise, it’s easier than you think!
Preparing the Pan and Melting the Butter
First things first, let’s prep our workspace. Grab a 13×9-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper. This is KEY! Trust me, you’ll thank me later when those treats pop right out. Then, in a large saucepan, melt 6 tablespoons of salted butter over medium heat. Keep an eye on it – we don’t want burnt butter!
Combining the Ingredients for Rice Krispie Valentines Treats
Now for the fun part! Once the butter’s melted, dump in all but 1 cup of those mini marshmallows. Reduce the heat to low and stir, stir, stir until everything is smooth and melty. It might take a few minutes, so be patient. Then, take the pan off the heat and stir in that teaspoon of vanilla extract. Next, add in your 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal and that reserved 1 cup of marshmallows. Gently fold everything together until it’s all combined. Finally, toss in 1 cup of those holiday M&M’s and all the sprinkles. Yummy!
Pressing and Setting the Rice Krispie Mixture
Pour that gooey, delicious mixture into your prepared baking dish. Now, this is important: press GENTLY with your fingertips. Don’t squish it down too hard, or your treats will be tough. Just spread it out evenly. Then, let it set for at least one hour. I know, it’s hard to wait, but trust me, it’s worth it!
Cutting Out the Heart Shapes
Once the treats are firm, lift that parchment paper right out of the pan and place it on a cutting board. Grab a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter and press down firmly to cut out your shapes. Ta-da! Heart-shaped Rice Krispie goodness! And don’t throw away those scraps – they’re perfect for snacking on while you decorate!
Decorating Your Rice Krispie Valentines Treats
Time to get fancy! Melt those Ghirardelli white chocolate melting wafers according to the package directions. Then, drizzle the melted chocolate over each heart. Finally, sprinkle on the remaining 1/4 cup of holiday M&M’s (and maybe a pinch of extra sprinkles, because why not?). Let the chocolate set for about 15 minutes, and you’re done! Aren’t they cute?
Tips for Perfect Rice Krispie Valentines Treats
Want to take your Rice Krispie Valentines Treats from good to AMAZING? Here are a few of my tried-and-true tips. Seriously, follow these, and you’ll be a Rice Krispie treat pro in no time!
Use Fresh Marshmallows
This is HUGE! Stale marshmallows = hard treats. Nobody wants that. Fresh, gooey marshmallows melt like a dream and give you that perfect, soft texture. Trust me on this one!
Don’t Over-Mix
Gently fold everything together! Over-mixing can make your treats tough. We want them light and chewy, not dense and brick-like. So, be gentle! Just enough to combine, that’s it!
Press Gently
I mentioned this before, but it’s worth repeating. Pressing too hard is a big no-no! You’re not trying to flatten them into oblivion. Just spread the mixture evenly and lightly. Over-compacting = tough treats. You’ve been warned!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Rice Krispie Valentines Treats
Okay, so maybe you’re missing an ingredient, or you have a dietary restriction? No sweat! Here are a few swaps you can make without totally ruining the Rice Krispie Valentines Treats experience. 😉
Butter Substitutions
Alright, so if you’re dairy-free, or just out of butter (oops!), you *can* use margarine or a dairy-free butter alternative. But honestly? It won’t taste quite the same. Butter gives it that richness, you know? But hey, gotta do whatcha gotta do!
Marshmallow Variations
Okay, so plain marshmallows are classic, but you can totally experiment! Strawberry marshmallows for extra pinkness? Maybe even some of those fun flavored ones? Just make sure they melt well! And avoid the jumbo ones, they take forever!
Cereal Options
Rice Krispies are the OG, but if you’re feeling wild, you could try another crispy rice cereal. Cocoa Krispies for a chocolatey twist? Maybe even a mix? Just be careful, some cereals might be too sweet or have weird textures. You’ve been warned! 😂
Storing Your Rice Krispie Valentines Treats
Alright, so you’ve made these adorable Rice Krispie Valentines Treats… now what? Here’s the lowdown on keeping them fresh and delicious (if they even last that long!).
Proper Storage Techniques
The key? Airtight! Pop those treats into an airtight container. A zip-top bag works too, but make sure you squeeze out all the air. And keep ’em at room temperature – no need to refrigerate!
How Long Do Rice Krispie Valentines Treats Last?
Okay, so they’re best within the first 2-3 days. After that, they might start to get a little stale. But honestly? They probably won’t last that long anyway! 😉 They’re just too yummy!
FAQ About Making Rice Krispie Valentines Treats
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things people often ask me about making these adorable Rice Krispie Valentines Treats. Don’t be shy – ask away if you have more!
Can I make these Rice Krispie Valentines Treats ahead of time?
Totally! They’re actually great for making in advance. Just whip ’em up a day or two before you need them and store them in an airtight container. Easy peasy! You can even cut out the hearts and decorate them later if you want to break up the process. Just keep the undecorated hearts in that airtight container so they don’t get stale.
What if my Rice Krispie Treats are too hard?
Oops! Okay, so a few things could have gone wrong. First, make sure your marshmallows are fresh (see my tip above!). Second, don’t overcook the marshmallows when you’re melting them. And third, press *gently*! If they’re already hard, well, you can try microwaving them for a few seconds to soften them up, but honestly, it’s best to just start over. Sorry!
Can I use different kinds of chocolate?
Sure thing! If you’re not a fan of white chocolate, you can totally use milk chocolate or dark chocolate instead. Or even those colored candy melts for extra festiveness! Just make sure it’s a good quality chocolate that melts smoothly. Nobody wants grainy chocolate drizzle, yuck!
Nutritional Information for Rice Krispie Valentines Treats
Okay, let’s talk numbers! Here’s a *very* approximate nutritional breakdown for one of these Rice Krispie Valentines Treats. But listen up! Keep in mind that the exact amounts will vary depending on the brands you use and how generous you are with those M&M’s (oops!). So, take this with a grain of salt, okay?
Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is an estimate based on available data and standard serving sizes. Actual values may vary depending on specific ingredients, brands, and preparation methods. This information should not be considered a substitute for professional nutritional advice.
Rate this Recipe and Share Your Creations of Rice Krispie Valentines Treats!
Loved these Rice Krispie Valentines Treats? Leave a comment and rate the recipe below! And don’t forget to snap a pic and share your creations on social media! I wanna see those hearts! ❤️
Print
Rice Krispie Valentines Treats: 5 Amazing Steps
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: About 12-15 treats 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make festive Rice Krispie Valentines Treats. This recipe is simple and fun for all ages.
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons salted butter
- 16 ounces mini marshmallows, divided
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 cups rice krispies cereal
- 1 1/4 cup holiday M&M’s
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles
- 5 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate melting wafers, melted
Instructions
- Line a 13×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set it aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in all but 1 cup of the marshmallows. Reduce heat to low and continue stirring until completely melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Add the cereal and the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows and gently stir until combined. Fold in 1 cup of the M&M’s and all the sprinkles.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Press GENTLY with your fingertips just until completely spread out. Allow to set one hour.
- When treats are set, lift parchment paper out of the pan and place on a cutting board. Using a 3-inch heart shaped cookie cutter, press down firmly to cut shapes. Save the discarded rice krispie treats to snack on!
- Drizzle the top of each heart with melted white chocolate and add the remaining 1/4 cup of holiday M&M’s (you can even add a pinch of extra sprinkles too). Allow to set about 15 minutes.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- For softer treats, use fresh marshmallows.
- Vary the M&M’s and sprinkles to match any holiday.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
