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Soft, chewy, and full of sugar cookie flavor, these festive Rice Krispie treats are the easiest Christmas dessert ever!

Every year, the first weekend of December in our house officially kicks off “baking season.” The kitchen turns into a cozy Christmas wonderland, twinkle lights glowing from the window, carols playing softly in the background, and a dusting of flour that somehow ends up on everyone’s noses. I always try to make at least one no-fuss treat that’s fun for the kids to help with, and these Sugar Cookie Rice Krispie Treats have become our new family favorite.

They’re everything you love about the classic marshmallow treat, chewy, buttery, and sweet, but with a magical twist of sugar cookie flavor and a flurry of festive sprinkles. It’s like wrapping up the taste of Christmas morning into one gooey, sparkly square.

My kids love to help make these treats, I let them stand on chairs to “help” stir the marshmallows. Now Dean is taller than me, but he still sneaks in to lick the spoon or grab a handful of sprinkles. Some recipes just stick around year after year, not because they’re fancy, but because they feel like home.

Between shopping trips, parties, and endless Christmas movies, it’s nice to have something that looks adorable, tastes amazing, and comes together in minutes. These Rice Krispie treats are exactly that, quick, cozy, and guaranteed to make everyone smile.

What Are Sugar Cookie Rice Krispie Treats?

Think of this recipe as a mashup of two holiday classics, sugar cookies and Rice Krispie treats. You melt butter and marshmallows just like the traditional recipe, but then you whisk in a bit of sugar cookie mix. That one little addition changes everything! It infuses the marshmallows with a rich, buttery vanilla flavor that tastes just like freshly baked sugar cookies.

Press it all into a pan, scatter Christmas sprinkles over the top, and suddenly you’ve got a treat that looks straight off a holiday dessert table. They’re soft, chewy, sweet, and just festive enough to make any day feel like Christmas Eve.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s so easy. No oven, no chilling time, just melt, stir, and press.

• ✨ Festive and fun. Sprinkles make everything more cheerful, and kids love helping.

• ️ Perfect for parties. Great for cookie exchanges, class parties, or dessert platters.

• Ideal for gifting. Wrap each treat in plastic with a bow for a simple homemade present.

• Sugar cookie flavor in every bite. That little bit of cookie mix makes a huge difference!

When to Serve Sugar Cookie Rice Krispie Treats

There’s never a wrong time for these! Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy them:

• On your Christmas Eve dessert table next to fudge, bark, and cookies

• Wrapped individually for your kids’ teachers, classmates, or bus driver

• During family movie nights (especially with a cup of hot cocoa)

• ️ For cozy nights in with pajamas, Hallmark movies, and twinkle lights

• As edible gifts tucked into cookie tins or Christmas baskets

They also travel beautifully, which makes them perfect for potlucks or family gatherings. You can even pack them in lunchboxes for a sweet holiday surprise.

Ingredients 

• 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal: The light, crispy base that gives these treats their perfect texture.

• 1 bag (10 oz) marshmallows: Use fresh ones! They melt better and stay soft.

• 1 stick (½ cup) butter: Unsalted is best for flavor balance, but salted works too.

• ⅓ cup sugar cookie mix: The secret ingredient that adds that warm vanilla cookie flavor.

• Christmas sprinkles: Adds sparkle, color, and festive charm, the finishing touch!

How to Make Sugar Cookie Rice Krispie Treats

1. Melt the butter. In a large pot over medium heat, melt one stick of butter until smooth and slightly golden. Your kitchen will already start to smell like Christmas!

2. Add the sugar cookie mix. Stir in the dry mix and cook for about a minute. This helps “toast” it slightly, bringing out that rich buttery flavor.

3. Melt the marshmallows. Add your marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted and glossy.

4. Combine with cereal. Remove from heat and gently fold in your Rice Krispies until every piece is coated.

5. Press and decorate. Transfer to a greased 9×9 or 9×13-inch pan and press down lightly with parchment paper or a buttered spatula. Sprinkle generously with Christmas sprinkles.  You can use either size pan depending on how thick you like your treats. 

6. Cool and cut. Let them cool for about 30 minutes, then slice into squares or fun shapes with cookie cutters.

Substitutions

• Butter: Use vegan butter or margarine to make them dairy-free.

• Marshmallows: You can substitute 4 cups of marshmallow fluff in a pinch.

• Sugar cookie mix: Try cake mix (white or vanilla) for a similar flavor.

• Cereal: Swap Rice Krispies for cornflakes or Cheerios for a different texture.

• Sprinkles: Use crushed peppermints, edible glitter, or red and green M&Ms!

Variations

• White Chocolate Drizzle: Melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over the top once cooled.

• Dipped Edges: Dip each square halfway in melted white chocolate and add sprinkles.

• Fun Shapes: Use star, tree, or snowflake cookie cutters for a festive touch.

• Layered Treats: Press a thin layer of sugar cookie dough (pre-baked) under the Rice Krispie mixture for a cookie-bar hybrid.

Tips & Tricks

• Low and slow: Melt everything on low heat to keep your treats soft and chewy.

• Butter up your tools: Grease your spatula, spoon, or hands to keep the mixture from sticking.

• Don’t overpack. Press gently, packing too tightly can make them hard.

• Add sprinkles immediately. They’ll stick better before the top sets.

• Double the batch: These go fast! Make two pans if you’re gifting or entertaining.

FAQs

Can I make these a day or two ahead?
Yes! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Do I need to refrigerate them?
No, keeping them at room temp keeps them soft and chewy.

Can I freeze them?
You can, but it’s best to enjoy them fresh. If freezing, wrap individually and thaw at room temperature.

Can I make these with kids?
Absolutely, this is a great “kids in the kitchen” recipe. My kids love stirring and adding sprinkles.

Serving Ideas

These are adorable cut into bite-sized squares and served on a Christmas platter alongside fudge, truffles, or cookies. You can also:

• Stack them into a “Christmas tree” shape on a cake stand

• Wrap individually for party favors

• Serve with mugs of hot cocoa or eggnog

• Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for extra Christmas crunch

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Store your Sugar Cookie Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To keep them extra soft, tuck a slice of white bread into the container, the moisture keeps them from drying out.

For gifting, wrap each square in clear plastic wrap, tie with ribbon, and add a small tag. These make darling neighbor or teacher gifts that look like you spent hours in the kitchen.

If you’re prepping for a big event, you can make them 1–2 days ahead and they’ll still taste amazing.

 

Try These Next

• Christmas Tree Cake Cheesecake

• Peppermint Oreo Bark

• No Bake Christmas Cookie Dough Cheesecake

• Hot Cocoa Dip

• Sugar Cookie Truffles

Every Christmas, I look for a few recipes that remind me why I love this season, ones that make the kids laugh, fill the kitchen with sweetness, and don’t add stress to my already full holiday plate. These Sugar Cookie Rice Krispie Treats are exactly that kind of recipe.

They’re festive and nostalgic, simple enough to make on a busy school night, but special enough to share with family on Christmas Eve. Every time I make them, I’m reminded that the magic of the holidays isn’t in elaborate desserts or perfect decorations, it’s in the little things, like melted marshmallows, shared sprinkles, and time together around the kitchen counter.

So grab your mixing bowl, let the kids help, and make a batch of these sweet, buttery treats. You’ll end up with more than just dessert, you’ll have a new Christmas tradition.