Sugar Cookie Rice Krispies Squares

Sugar Cookie Rice Krispies Treats are the perfect way to bring a festive twist to a classic sweet snack. This recipe combines gooey marshmallows with Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix and colorful holiday sprinkles for treats that taste like the holidays in every bite. They are simple to whip up and bring together nostalgic flavors with a cheerful crunch.

No baking needed so it is great for making with kids. The combination of sugar cookie mix and classic Rice Krispies squares always gets rave reviews in my house. I first made these for a cookie exchange and ended up sharing the recipe with everyone on my block because they disappeared so quickly.

Ingredients

• Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix: brings the cookie dough flavor twist and make sure to heat treat it properly for food safety. Choose a reputable brand and check for freshness
• Unsalted butter: adds richness and helps everything meld together. Use the best quality butter for a creamy backdrop
• Large marshmallows: these provide the classic gooey base. Make sure they are soft and fresh not dry
• Vanilla extract: deepens the sugar cookie flavor. A real vanilla extract is best for authentic results
• Rice Krispies cereal: offers that signature crispy texture. Buy a fresh box for maximum crunch
• Mini marshmallows: add pockets of pillowy softness throughout the squares
• Holiday sprinkles: give a festive flair. Choose varieties that match your celebration and check that they are bake stable so colors do not bleed

Instructions

Prep the Pan:

Lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Make sure your pan is ready before starting so you can work quickly while the mixture is warm

Heat Treat the Cookie Mix:

In a microwave safe bowl warm the sugar cookie mix in thirty second bursts stirring well each time until a food thermometer reads one hundred sixty degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures the mix is safe to eat

Melt the Butter and Marshmallows:

In a large pot melt the butter over low heat. Add the large marshmallows and stir constantly until melted and completely smooth. Take your time here to avoid burning

Incorporate Cookie Mix and Vanilla:

Stir in the heated sugar cookie mix and the vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well blended and then remove from heat immediately to avoid overcooking

Fold in Cereal Add Ins:

Gently add the Rice Krispies mini marshmallows and two tablespoons of the sprinkles. Use a rubber spatula to combine until just coated. Be gentle to keep the cereal crispy

Press into Pan:

Transfer the sticky mixture to your prepared pan. Use a piece of parchment or wax paper to press it evenly without sticking. Press lightly so you do not crush the cereal

Decorate and Set:

Sprinkle the remaining holiday sprinkles over the top. Press gently so they stick. Let the treats cool and firm up for thirty minutes before slicing into squares

Sprinkles are my favorite part of this treat. They take an already cheerful snack and make it celebration ready. My kids beg to add extra and love mixing and matching colors around the holidays. This recipe always brings us together in the kitchen to decorate and sneak a taste.

Storage Tips

Keep your treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Place parchment between layers to avoid sticking. If you want to store them longer wrap each square in plastic and freeze in a resealable bag for up to six weeks. They thaw perfectly at room temp and are still gooey and delicious.

Ingredient Substitutions

Try chocolate Rice Krispies for a cocoa twist or switch to cinnamon sugar cookie mix for a spiced note. You can swap vegan butter for the dairy butter and use vegan marshmallows if needed. Make sure your cookie mix is safe if you are avoiding allergens.

Serving Suggestions

Cut these squares a bit smaller and serve on a fun platter for parties or lunchbox treats. They are also super cute when cut with cookie cutters into holiday shapes. For a special gift bag up a few treats with ribbon and a handwritten tag.

Cultural and Holiday Context

Rice Krispies treats have been a nostalgic part of American dessert culture since the 1930s. Adding sugar cookie mix transforms the classic into a festive modern favorite that feels part cookie and part crispy square. This mashup is perfect for cookie swaps and family gatherings.

Seasonal Adaptations

Use pastel sprinkles for spring. Try orange and black for Halloween. Add red and green or gold for winter holidays.

Success Stories

Every year at our neighborhood cookie swap someone seems to break tradition by skipping the oven and bringing these instead. By the end of the party the platter is always empty and I get so many requests for the recipe. It feels like a new classic.

Freezer Meal Conversion

To make these ahead simply follow the wrapping and freezing instructions above. They thaw without any change in texture so you can always have a batch ready for surprise guests or gift giving. Just remember to label the date so you know how fresh they are.

These Sugar Cookie Rice Krispies Treats are a colorful, crowd-pleasing addition to your holiday dessert tray or gift bags. Make a batch to share and watch them disappear!

Common Recipe Questions

→ How do you heat-treat sugar cookie mix?

Heat-treat the mix by microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until it reaches 160°F. Alternatively, bake it on a sheet at 300°F for about 10 minutes until the same temperature is achieved.

→ What is the best way to prevent sticking when pressing the mixture?

Lightly grease your hands or use a piece of parchment paper to press the mixture into the pan, keeping it from sticking.

→ Can these treats be frozen?

Yes, wrap the cooled squares individually, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 6 weeks and thaw at room temperature before serving.

→ Why add mini marshmallows in addition to melted ones?

Mini marshmallows stirred in at the end create extra pockets of gooey texture, enhancing softness throughout each bite.

→ Do these treats need to be refrigerated?

No, refrigeration may make them hard. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for best texture.