Peeps Rice Krispie Treats
Grab your mixing bowl, a little bit of butter, and your favorite sprinkles- it’s time for some seriously adorable Peeps Rice Krispie Treats! Peeps just scream Easter, and with a couple of extra ingredients, you can turn your traditional rice krispie treat recipe into a beautiful and delicious springtime delight that your family and friends will love. With a simple method and a few extra ingredients, you can make irresistibly festive Peeps-decorated treats that can be customized with any of your favorite sprinkles and sweets.
Perfect for an Easter party, a bake sale, or just a fun afternoon treat for the family, you can whip up these adorably delicious treats in no time at all. So check out this easy-to-follow recipe to learn how you can make the tastiest Peeps Rice Krispie Treats that everyone will enjoy.
Peeps Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie treats are a complete weakness in my house. The sticky fun marshmallows with the Rice Krispie cereal and the rich buttery flavor all meld together to make the ultimate treat that can be gussied up for any occasion.
And the best part? You can wrap them up in little treat bags and fill up Easter baskets with Peeps Rice Krispie Treats right next to the Easter eggs! Easy to make festive treats that don’t require breaking out bottles of food coloring.
Buy an extra box of Peeps and make my Easter Fruit Kabobs for more Easter treats!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
What do I need to get started?
- Butter. Now I usually use unsalted in my baking, but for this recipe, I went with salted butter. All the extra flavor really made these Easter Rice Krispie treats so addicting!
- Marshmallows. I used big jet-puffed, but any marshmallow is fine.
- Rice Krispie cereal. I always use the name brand, but any rice crispy cereal will work.
- Mini dehydrated marshmallows. I used these for the bright pastel colors.
- Peeps. I bought 4 packages in assorted colors.
- Sprinkles. These are technically optional, but are they really?! 🙂
How to make Peeps Rice Krispie Treats
The very first thing you want to do is prepare your pan. Take a 9×13 baking dish and spray generously with non-stick cooking spray. You can also prepare the pan with parchment paper for extra protection, but I did not need to.
In a large saucepan or dutch oven, melt butter over low heat until fully melted.
Add the marshmallows and slowly heat until fully melted and mixed in with the butter.
Remove from the heat and add the Rice Krispie cereal, folding today into a sticky mixture. Fold in the dehydrated marshmallows.
Carefully press the mixture into the prepared pan. Take a rubber spatula and spray it with more non-stick spray, then use that to press down the treats. If you are using sprinkles, press them into the top of the bars at this point.
Let the Rice Krispie treats sit at room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes to set. Once they are stable, cut them into pieces.
To add Peeps, take one and cut it in half lengthwise. Stick onto the treats, sticky side down, pressing gently.
Storage
Make an Easter Basket
You can use these Peeps Rice Krispie Treats to make the most fun unique Easter Basket!
Take a basket and fill it with shredded Easter grass. Then take each completed treat and place it in a treat bag. A treat bag will usually come with ties that match, so tie up the bag at the end. Repeat until all Rice Krispie treats are wrapped up.
Fill the basket with more Peeps, as well as some Easter eggs and any other assorted candies, then place the Rice Krispie treats in the empty spaces. Top with more colorful marshmallows or sprinkles!
FAQ’s For Making Peeps Rice Krispie Treats
- How do I prevent the treats from becoming too hard or too soft?
- To prevent the treats from becoming too hard, avoid overcooking the marshmallow mixture or pressing the mixture too firmly into the pan. Conversely, if the treats are too soft, try adding more Rice Krispie cereal to the mixture to achieve the desired consistency.
- Can I make Peeps Rice Krispie Treats ahead of time?
- Yes, you can make Peeps Rice Krispie Treats ahead of time. Simply store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to several days. If stacking the treats, place a sheet of wax paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together.
- Can I freeze Peeps Rice Krispie Treats?
- While you can freeze Peeps Rice Krispie Treats, it’s not recommended, as freezing can affect the texture and flavor of the treats. It’s best to enjoy them fresh within a few days of making them.
- Can I use different shapes of Peeps for decorating?
- Absolutely! Get creative with your Peeps Rice Krispie Treats by using different shapes and colors of Peeps for decorating. Experiment with chicks, bunnies, or other seasonal shapes to add variety and visual appeal to your treats.
- Can I add other mix-ins to the treats?
- Yes, you can customize your Peeps Rice Krispie Treats by adding other mix-ins such as chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture. Just be sure to fold them into the mixture gently before pressing it into the pan.
Tips & Tricks
- Use Fresh Marshmallows: Fresh marshmallows melt more smoothly and evenly, resulting in a better texture for your treats. Avoid using stale or hardened marshmallows, as they can affect the consistency of the final product.
- Melt Butter Slowly: When melting the butter, do so over low heat to prevent it from browning or burning. This ensures that the butter maintains its flavor and doesn’t develop a bitter taste.
- Stir Constantly: When melting the marshmallows, stir constantly to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning. Use a silicone spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold the marshmallows until they are completely melted and smooth.
- Add Rice Krispies Gradually: Add the Rice Krispie cereal to the melted marshmallow mixture gradually, stirring gently to coat the cereal evenly. This helps prevent clumping and ensures that all the cereal is well-coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Press Firmly into Pan: Once the mixture is evenly mixed, transfer it to a greased or lined baking dish and press it firmly into the pan using a spatula or your hands. This helps compact the mixture and ensures that the treats hold their shape once cooled.
- Decorate Quickly: If you’re adding Peep bunnies or other decorations to the top of your treats, do so quickly after pressing the mixture into the pan. The warm treats will help the decorations adhere better.
- Let Cool Completely: Allow the treats to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This allows them to set properly and makes them easier to cut without falling apart.
- Store Properly: Store leftover Peeps Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to several days. If stacking the treats, place a sheet of wax paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together.
- Experiment with Flavors: Get creative with your Peeps Rice Krispie Treats by experimenting with different flavors of Peeps or adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.
- Have Fun: Making Peeps Rice Krispie Treats is a fun and festive activity, so don’t be afraid to get creative and let your imagination run wild. Whether you’re making them for Easter, a birthday party, or just because, enjoy the process and have fun decorating your treats!
Peeps Rice Krispie Treats
These adorable Easter Rice Krispie Treats are super fun to make with kids and totally delicious. The decorating is made easy with sprinkles, mini marshmallows, and Peeps for the cutest festive Easter treat!
Ingredients
- ½ Cup or 4 Ounces Salted Butter
- 1 15oz Bag Marshmallows
- 8 Cups Rice Krispie Cereal
- 1 Cup Mini Dehydrated Marshmallows, Colorful
- Optional Toppings, Peeps & Sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray, then set aside.
- In a large pot or dutch oven, heat salted butter over low heat until fully melted.
- Add the 15oz bag of marshmallows, and slowly heat until fully melted and incorporated.
- Remove from heat and add the rice krispie cereal, folding together into a sticky mixture. Fold in the mini dehydrated marshmallows
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, and using a rubber spatula sprayed with non-stick spray, flatten the top. If adding sprinkles, sprinkle it over the top at this point and gently press into the top.
- Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, or until treats are completely set.
- (optional) to add the peeps to the top of each treat, cut the peeps in half and lightly press the cut half on top of the treats.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
9Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 357Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 254mgCarbohydrates: 65gFiber: 0gSugar: 34gProtein: 3g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
