Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats

Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats are a delicious Christmas twist to classic Rice Krispie treats – soft, chewy, rice Krispy cereal treat bars loaded with gooey marshmallows, peppermint extract, and crushed peppermint candy canes.

Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats Recipe For Christmas

Take classic Rice Krispies up a notch for the holidays with these peppermint Rice Krispie treats. Classic, gooey, marshmallow filled Krispie treats with peppermint extract, white chocolate on top, and crushed candy canes.

They taste like peppermint bark with the white chocolate and peppermint candy canes!

How To Make Peppermint Candy Cane Rice Krispie Treats (Printable Recipe Card)

Prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or, for easier removal for cutting, line the pan with parchment paper. Allow the paper to hang over the sides just a little bit so you can easily pull the bars out.

In a large pot, over medium-low heat, melt the butter.

Once the butter is melted, add the mini marshmallows and let them cook, while stirring frequently, until they are completely melted and smooth.

Remove the pot from the heat and immediately stir in the peppermint extract and vanilla extract until combined. Work quickly so the mixture stays warm and easy to stir.

Add the Rice Krispies cereal and stir gently until thoroughly coated with the marshmallow mixture.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Lightly spray your hands or spatula with cooking spray, and then press the mixture evenly into the pan without compacting or pressing on it too firmly, which can make the treats hard.

Place the white almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring after each one, until fully melted and smooth.

Spread the melted almond bark evenly over top of the treats and use an offset spatula to cover the entire surface in an oven layer, like you’re frosting a cake.

Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy canes over top.

Let the Krispie treat bars set at room temperature, for about 1 hour, or until the almond bark topping is firm and set.

Lift the treats from the pan using the parchment overhang, then cut into squares, and enjoy!

How To Store Rice Krispie Treats

Store leftovers inside an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to 3 days. Refrigeration makes the treats too hard and can cause condensation on the peppermint topping. For best results store them at room temperature.

To make the treats ahead of time, prepare them as directed, then let them set completely. Cut into squares and store between layers of wax paper in an airtight container. Rice Krispie treats are best made come to serving time of the freshest texture.

Pro Tips From The Test Kitchen

• Make sure you are using peppermint extract, and not mint extract, for a true candy cane flavor. They might seem interchangeable but they’re not.
• The biggest mistake is cooking the marshmallows too long or turning up the heat and cooking them over too high of heat. Always melt the butter first, and then add the marshmallows, and cook low & slow over medium-low heat. Do not try to turn up the heat thinking that it will speed up the process, it won’t, it will only burn the marshmallows and make them not as creamy and smoothly melted.
• One of the reasons that your Krispie treats may turn out hard or crumbly, is because you are compacting and pushing them into the pan too hard. Use a light gently hand to gently press them into an even layer in the pan.
• The best way to crush candy canes is by placing them in a Ziplock bag and using a rolling pin, or meat pounder, to crush them. Crushed candy canes can absorb moisture and get tacky. So it’s best to crush the candy canes right before sprinkling them on top of the wet almond bark, then let everything set and dry together. If storing leftovers, wax paper works better than plastic wrap to avoid the candy canes from bleeding color and getting tacky.
• We use almond bark as the coating because it melts smoothly and sets with a nice snap to it – meaning, that when you cut it, it will cut nicely. To avoid any cracking in the almond bark topping, use a sharp knife sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Press the knife straight down instead of sawing back and forth.
• These treats taste best on the day they are made, however, they will keep well for up to 3 days at room temperature.

More Peppermint Treats For Christmas

• Chocolate Peppermint Lush
• Peppermint Bark Pretzel Bites
• Peppermint Bark Graham Crackers
• Peppermint Poke Cake
• Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies
• Candy Cane Lush (No Bake Christmas Dessert)
• White Chocolate Peppermint Pie