Rice Krispie Santa Hats Recipe: Cute, Easy Christmas Treat
These Rice Krispie Santa hats are proof that Christmas desserts don’t have to be difficult to make. This recipe is perfect when you are short on time, but need a festive holiday treat. A rice cereal treat shaped and decorated to look like a Santa hat. Ho, ho, ho!
About Rice Krispie Santa Hats
This recipe for Rice Krispie Santa hats is one of the easiest cereal treat recipes. Unlike Scotcheroos and my Salted Caramel Rice Krispies, which require a saucepan, this recipe uses a microwave to heat the ingredients. So not only is it an easy recipe, it’s also one that you can make just about anywhere. Perfect for those away at college, living in an RV, or traveling.
Ingredient Substitutions and Additions
Ingredients needed for this Santa Hat Rice Krispies recipe:
- 3.5 tablespoons unsalted butter (may substitute salted butter, but omit salt)
- 12 ounce bag of large marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups rice crispy cereal
- 16 ounce container white frosting
- Red food coloring
This recipe only has a few ingredients, so there’s little room for substitutions, but one way is to use a different type of cereal. You could use Rice Chex, Crispix, or any similar cereal. I would just stay away from anything with added sugar since the marshmallows and candy already add plenty.
I used large marshmallows for this recipe, but it is OK to use mini marshmallows instead. I feel that the larger marshmallows make the treats a little more gooey, but I’m sure the minis are just as good. One benefit of using mini marshmallows is that they melt quickly, so it may take less time to melt in the microwave. If you use mini marshmallows, start by microwaving for one minute and then continue in 30-second intervals until melted.
This recipe uses red and white frosting to decorate the Santa hats. If you aren’t a fan of frosting, use melted chocolate instead. Use melted white chocolate for the brim and pom pom of the hat. The body of the hat can be filled in with melted red candy melts.
Step by Step With Photos
I like to start by prepping things. Line a 9″x13″ baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Measure 6 cups of rice crispy cereal into a bowl and set aside.
Melt 3.5 tablespoons butter in a microwave safe bowl for about 30 seconds.
Pour a 10-ounce bag of large marshmallows into a large microwave-safe bowl. Pour the melted butter on top and stir to combine.
Microwave the marshmallows and melted butter for about 2-3 minutes, until the marshmallows have melted.
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine.
Pour 6 cups of Rice Krispies into the bowl and stir to combine.
Pour the Rice Krispie mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula, or your hands, to gently press the mixture into an even layer. Allow to cool for 30-60 minutes.
Remove the Rice Krispie treats from the baking dish. Using a large knife, cut the treats lengthwise down the center.
Cut small triangles all the way down each half to form the Santa hats. I got about 7 hats on each side.
Add ⅓ of the white icing to a piping bag. Mix the remaining icing with red food dye and transfer to a 2nd piping bag.
Pipe the red icing in a zigzag pattern to form the center of the hat. Then pipe a small white dot at the top of the hat and a row of dots (or simply just a line) at the bottom of the hat.
Freezing and Storing
Store the Rice Krispie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep that crispy-chewy magic intact. They will last longer than that, but I think after 3 days they tend to dry out a bit. Avoid the fridge unless your kitchen is super warm. The cold temp can make them tough.
You can also freeze the bars, but I definitely think that these cereal treats are better when they aren’t frozen. But if you must, wrap the individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. When you want to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes before diving in.
When you need a last-minute dessert for a holiday party, these Rice Krispie Santa hats are a fun and easy treat to make. Super cute and a definite crowd pleaser. And if you want another Santa hat dessert, try these Santa Hat cupcakes.
If you try this Rice Krispie Santa Hats recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting and happy baking!
Santa Hat Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- 9" x 13" Baking pan
- Parchment Paper
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Microwave safe bowl
- Piping Bag star tip, optional
Ingredients
- 3.5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 12 ounce bag marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt omit if you use salted butter
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 16 ounce container white frosting
- red food coloring
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl for about 30 seconds.
- Place the marshmallows in a large bowl and pour the melted butter on top. Toss until the marshmallows are coated. Microwave for about 2-3 minutes, until the marshmallows are melted.
- Add the vanilla extract and salt and quickly mix to combine.
- Add the Rice Krispies and mix until combined.
- Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper.
- Spread the mixture out and loosely press into the pan.
- Let sit for 30 minutes to one hour before cutting.
- Using a largeknife, cut the rice krispie treats down the center lengthwise.
- Next, cut small triangles all the way down each half to form the santa hats.I got about 7 hats oneach side.
- Add ⅓ of the whiteicing to a piping bag.
- Mix the remainder of the icingwith pink or red dye. You need to use a lot of food coloring to achieve a true Santa hat red. The color willdeepen some with time.
- Add the coloredicing to a piping bag.
- Pipe the colored icing in a zigzag patternto form the center of the hat.
- Pipe a small white dot at the top of the hat and a row of dots (or simply just a line) at the bottom of the hat.
Notes
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Follow me on Pinterest for more fun and easy cookie recipes for any occasion. And if you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and let me know how it went.
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