Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
If you’re searching for a dessert that will brighten up your spring celebrations and steal the show at any Easter gathering, these Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats are an absolute must-try. They’re colorful, delightfully crisp, and oh-so-festive, with every bite offering a nostalgic marshmallowy sweetness that kids and adults both adore. The best part? You don’t need any fancy baking skills or equipment—just a few pantry staples, your favorite pastel food colorings, and a sprinkle of creativity. With each treat shaped like a charming little egg and decked out in sprinkles or chocolate eggs, you’ll have the most cheerful dessert platter on the block.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats couldn’t be simpler, and each one plays an important role—whether it’s the perfect crunch, gooey texture, or that playful pop of color. Here’s everything you’ll want on hand, along with a handy tip for each item:
- Rice Krispies cereal (6 cups): The classic base gives that irresistible crunch and lightness in every bite.
- Mini marshmallows (1 bag, 10 ounces): These melt down smoothly to bind everything together with sweet, gooey goodness.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons): Adds richness and keeps the treats soft and tender, never dry.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Just a splash brings a lovely depth and warmth to the flavor.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors so your treats aren’t cloying.
- Pastel food coloring gels (pink, yellow, green, blue): These transform your treats into a vibrant, eye-catching display—go for gels to get vivid color without watering down the mixture.
- Assorted sprinkles and mini chocolate eggs: Perfect for decorating and adding crunch, color, and a little chocolate surprise.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Essential for greasing bowls, spoons, and your hands to keep the marshmallow mixture from sticking everywhere.
How to Make Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats
Step 1: Prep Your Tools and Ingredients
Start by generously greasing a large mixing bowl and a sturdy spoon with nonstick spray. This will make mixing and shaping so much easier, as the marshmallow mixture can get extra sticky. Pour all the Rice Krispies cereal into the prepared bowl and set it aside—you’ll want everything ready to go before the marshmallows melt, since timing is key for perfect Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats.
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows
In a large saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter until it’s completely liquid and just starting to bubble. Add all the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until they’re melted and the mixture is silky smooth. Take your time here and keep the heat low—this prevents scorching and ensures a luscious texture that will coat every grain of cereal.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Salt
Remove the pan from the heat and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and salt. These simple additions really round out the flavor, making your Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats taste like so much more than the sum of their parts.
Step 4: Divide and Color
Now comes the fun part! Divide the melted marshmallow mixture evenly into 3 or 4 small bowls (depending on how many colors you’d like). Add a small drop of pastel food coloring gel to each bowl—think petal pink, soft yellow, mint green, or baby blue—and mix until you have a beautifully even color in each.
Step 5: Mix in the Cereal
Working quickly, add an equal portion of Rice Krispies cereal to each bowl of colored marshmallow mixture. Use your greased spoon to gently fold and coat the cereal, making sure every piece is wrapped in that gorgeous pastel hue. If things get sticky, don’t worry—just re-spray your spoon as needed.
Step 6: Shape the Eggs
Spray your hands generously with nonstick spray (or rub them with a bit of butter) to prevent sticking. While the mixture is still warm and pliable, scoop out small portions and shape them into egg-like ovals by pressing and rolling gently between your palms. Make each “egg” about the size of a large walnut for the perfect bite-sized treat.
Step 7: Decorate and Set
Set each shaped egg onto a parchment-lined tray. While they’re still a bit warm and tacky, go wild with decorations—press mini chocolate eggs into the centers or shower them with a rainbow of sprinkles. Let the eggs cool and set for about 30 minutes; they’ll firm up just enough to hold their shape beautifully while still staying soft inside.
How to Serve Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats
Garnishes
For a festive touch, garnish your Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats with extra sprinkles, edible glitter, or a drizzle of melted white chocolate. Tuck a mini chocolate egg into the top of each treat for a sweet surprise, or use pastel-colored sanding sugar to create a sparkling finish that catches the light.
Side Dishes
These playful treats pair wonderfully with a fresh fruit platter, a cup of hot cocoa, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special dessert plate. If you’re serving them at an Easter brunch, they make a delightful counterpoint to savory dishes like quiche or ham, offering a sweet pop of color and flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats in a decorative basket lined with colorful paper grass for a classic spring vibe, or stack them on a tiered cake stand for a showstopping centerpiece. For parties, wrap each treat individually in cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons—perfect for gifting or Easter egg hunts!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats at their freshest, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay deliciously chewy and crisp for up to three days, making them a great make-ahead option for busy holiday prep.
Freezing
If you want to make these treats further in advance, you can freeze them. Wrap each egg tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. They’ll keep well for up to a month—just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Reheating
While you don’t need to reheat Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats, if they’ve become a bit too firm after storage, a quick 5–10 seconds in the microwave will soften them up beautifully. Just be sure not to overheat, as the marshmallow can get too sticky.
FAQs
Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
Absolutely! If you only have regular marshmallows, just chop them up a bit before melting to help them dissolve evenly—they’ll work just as well as minis in your Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats.
How do I prevent the mixture from sticking to my hands?
The key is to coat your hands with nonstick spray or a little butter before shaping the eggs. Reapply as needed to keep your hands (and sanity) free from sticky disaster.
Can I make these treats without food coloring?
Definitely! If you prefer a more natural look or want to skip artificial dyes, simply leave out the food coloring for classic golden treats. Or, try using natural colorings like beet or spinach powder for a subtle pastel touch.
What can I use instead of mini chocolate eggs for decorating?
Let your imagination run wild! Jelly beans, pastel M&M’s, shredded coconut, or even small fondant shapes all make adorable alternatives for topping your Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Just make sure to use a certified gluten-free crisp rice cereal, as some brands may contain malt flavoring. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy them worry-free.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably joyful about making and sharing these Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats—they’re colorful, cheerful, and full of sweet, crunchy nostalgia. Whether you’re whipping them up for a family brunch, a school party, or just to brighten someone’s day, this recipe is sure to become a favorite tradition. Give them a try and see just how much fun you can have in the kitchen this spring!
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Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 Easter egg treats 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these festive Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats, a colorful and fun no-bake dessert perfect for holiday celebrations. Made with crispy Rice Krispies cereal, melted marshmallows, and tinted with pastel food coloring, these treats are shaped like Easter eggs and decorated with sprinkles and mini chocolate eggs, making them a perfect sweet snack for kids and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 bag (10 ounces) mini marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Coloring and Decoration
- Pastel food coloring gels (pink, yellow, green, blue)
- Assorted sprinkles
- Mini chocolate eggs for decorating
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the bowl and cereal: Grease a large mixing bowl and spoon with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking, then place the Rice Krispies cereal in the bowl and set aside.
- Melt butter and marshmallows: In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter, then add the mini marshmallows. Stir constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
- Add flavor and salt: Stir in the vanilla extract and salt to the melted marshmallow mixture for added flavor.
- Divide and color mixture: Quickly divide the melted marshmallow mixture into 3 to 4 small bowls, tint each with pastel food coloring gels like pink, yellow, green, and blue for a festive look.
- Mix with Rice Krispies: Add an equal portion of Rice Krispies cereal to each colored bowl and stir thoroughly to coat the cereal evenly with the marshmallow mixture.
- Shape the treats: Spray your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then shape the warm cereal mixture into egg shapes, pressing firmly to hold the shape.
- Decorate and set: Decorate each egg-shaped treat with assorted sprinkles or press a mini chocolate egg into the center while still warm. Place the shaped treats on parchment paper.
- Allow to set: Let the Easter Egg Rice Krispie Treats set on the parchment paper for about 30 minutes until firm before serving.
Notes
- If the mixture becomes too sticky to handle, lightly coat your hands with cooking spray or butter before shaping the treats.
- Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Treats
- Method: No-Bake, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
