Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats take the classic marshmallow-cereal bar and give it a colorful, nostalgic twist. These bars are chewy, gooey, and ready in minutes with only five ingredients — ideal for a quick no-bake snack, school treat, or simple dessert.
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Why Should You Make This Recipe
If you enjoy easy, comforting treats and bright, playful flavors, these Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats are a great choice. They keep everything you love about traditional rice krispie bars while adding the colorful marshmallows and fun flavor of Lucky Charms cereal.
- Fast and simple: With just five ingredients and about 10 minutes of active prep, these treats are done in no time.
- Kid-friendly and festive: The colorful marshmallows make these bars especially appealing for kids, holidays, or themed parties.
- No-bake convenience: No oven is required — just melt, mix, press, and let set.
Ingredients
This recipe uses five basic ingredients most people already have on hand. Prepare them before you start so assembly is quick and easy.
Gather Lucky Charms cereal, Rice Krispie cereal, mini marshmallows, unsalted butter, vanilla extract and salt.
Substitutions
If you need to substitute ingredients, here are safe alternatives that preserve texture and flavor:
- Rice cereal: Any plain puffed rice cereal works in place of Rice Krispies.
- Lucky Charms: Use a colorful marshmallow cereal if you prefer, though the original Lucky Charms gives the familiar flavor and texture.
- Butter: Salted butter can be used; reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.
- Vanilla: Omit if necessary, though vanilla enhances the marshmallow flavor.
- Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows melt most evenly; regular-size marshmallows can be used but may need slightly longer melting and stirring.
How To Make
Follow these straightforward steps to make Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats.
- Prepare the pan and cereal: Lightly grease and line a 9 x 9-inch pan with wax paper or foil, leaving an overhang on two sides to lift the bars out later. Scoop out 1 cup of Lucky Charms and separate the marshmallows to reserve for topping. Put the remaining cereals in a large bowl ready for the marshmallow mixture.
- Melt butter and marshmallows: In a large saucepan over low heat, melt 6 tablespoons (87 g) unsalted butter. Add 10 oz. mini marshmallows and stir continuously until the marshmallows are mostly melted and smooth. Keep the heat low to avoid scorching or making the mixture stiff.
- Combine and flavor: Remove the pan from heat once the marshmallows are nearly melted. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the cereals (or add the cereals to the pan if it is large enough). Quickly and gently fold the cereals and marshmallow together until evenly coated.
- Press and finish: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it gently into an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved Lucky Charms marshmallows on top and press lightly so they adhere. Let the bars set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Slice and serve: After the bars have set, lift them from the pan using the foil or paper overhang. Use a sharp, lightly greased or oiled knife to cut into squares and serve.
How To Make Ahead, Store, Freeze and Thaw
- Make ahead: These treats are best the day they are prepared, but you can make them up to 1–2 days in advance. Keep them covered well to avoid drying out.
- Store: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Freeze and thaw: Wrap individual squares tightly in plastic or wax paper and place in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to six weeks. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for a freshly-softened texture.
M’s Expert Tips
- Reserve marshmallows for the top: The cereal’s marshmallows can melt into the mixture, so saving some to sprinkle on top keeps the bars bright and decorative.
- Use mini marshmallows: Mini marshmallows melt faster and more evenly, producing a smoother, chewier bar.
- Melt over low heat: Gently melting butter and marshmallows prevents overheating, which can make bars hard instead of tender and chewy.
- Don’t overmix: Fold just until the cereal is coated to preserve the marshmallow shapes from Lucky Charms and to maintain a light texture.
- Press gently: Press the mixture into the pan firmly enough that the bars hold together, but avoid compacting too tightly, which can make them dense.
FAQs
You can, but the texture will be different. Marshmallow creme can make the bars less cohesive and less gooey than using melted marshmallows.
Yes. Replacing all the puffed rice with Lucky Charms is fine, though a mix of cereals keeps a slightly lighter texture.
Treats become hard when the marshmallows are melted over high heat or cooked too long. Melt slowly over low heat and remove once marshmallows are mostly melted.
Yes, but they are creamiest the day they are made. If preparing ahead, cover tightly to prevent drying.
More St. Patrick’s Day Recipes to Try
- Pistachio Muffins
- Pistachio Cookies
- Lucky Charms Cookies
- Pistachio Bread
If you try this Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats recipe, please leave a rating and a comment to help other readers. Tag @olivesnthyme on Instagram so the author can see your baking success.
Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Megan
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Equipment
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1 large saucepan or pot
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1 9 x 9 (23 cm) pan
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1 sheet wax paper or foil to line the pan
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons (87 g) unsalted butter
- 10 oz. mini marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups (144 g) Lucky Charms cereal, divided
- 2 cups (53 g) Rice Krispie cereal
Instructions
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Grease and line a 9 x 9 pan with wax paper or foil. Scoop out 1 cup (36 g) of Lucky Charms and reserve the marshmallows for topping. Add the remaining cereals to a large mixing bowl and measure the remaining ingredients before you begin.
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In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until mostly melted and smooth.
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Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and salt. Pour the melted marshmallows over the cereals (or add cereals to the pan) and fold quickly until the mixture is evenly coated.
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Press the mixture into the prepared pan, top with reserved marshmallows, and allow to set for at least 30 minutes. Slice into 16 squares and enjoy.