Hot Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats

Hot cocoa rice krispie treats have the best of both worlds. They’re crispy-crunchy but chewy-soft, with one special ingredient to tie it all together, hot chocolate mix!

Why this recipe works

Hot cocoa rice krispie treats are quick and easy to make with only 4 ingredients – a bit of hot chocolate mix, mini marshmallows, butter, and cereal. They come together in just 10 minutes and are chewy, soft, and packed with chocolate-marshmallow flavor.

Much like other marshmallow cereal bars, rice krispie treats can be decorated however you want. Add a drizzle of chocolate like we did in our Christmas tree rice krispie treats, top them with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, or simply enjoy them as-is, the choice is up to you. Grab the kids and make a batch together, they’ll love squishing the cereal into the pan and decorating with you!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

HOT COCOA – You can use your favorite hot cocoa mix for this recipe, the brand doesn’t matter! Starbucks, Godiva, Swiss Miss, Ghiradelli, and even homemade hot chocolate mix are all great options. If you don’t have hot chocolate mix on hand you can substitute it with the same amount of unsweetened cocoa powder.

MARSHMALLOWS – In place of the mini marshmallows, you can substitute with 10 ounces of regular sized marshmallows, they’ll just take longer to melt. Try quartering them to help them melt quicker.

How to Make Hot Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. In a large saucepan, melt butter on low heat. Add marshmallows (except for a handful), stirring continually on low heat until entirely melted.
2. Remove from heat, add in rice krispies cereal and hot chocolate mix until well combined.
3. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and press the mixture into the dish while still warm. Sprinkle with the rest of the mini marshmallows and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
   
   EXPERT TIP – if you press the cereal mixture into the pan too hard, you’ll end up with tough, dense bars. Only press them enough to even them out in the pan.
   
   
   

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Serving Suggestions

Optionally top with mini marshmallows as we did, or try mini chocolate chips, M&M’s, or chopped chocolate. You can even mix in some crushed candy canes for a peppermint hot chocolate vibe. 

Hot cocoa rice krispie treats make excellent gifts for neighbors, family, and friends when wrapped in cellophane baggies and tied with a bow, but they’re also great just to have as a nice little sweet treat around the house. Enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate if you’re in for the full experience!

More Related Recipes

• Hot Cocoa Cookies
• Crockpot Hot Chocolate
• Marbled Mocha Hot Cocoa Bombs
• Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats
• Rice Krispie Treat Gingerbread Men

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Hot Cocoa Rice Krispie Treats

Hot cocoa rice krispie treats are quick and easy to make with only 4 ingredients – a bit of hot chocolate mix, mini marshmallows, butter, and cereal.

5 from 8 votes

IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 9 servings

10 minutes mins

Calories: 258

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 3 Tablespoons butter
• ▢ 10 ounces mini marshmallows
• ▢ 1 cup hot chocolate mix
• ▢ 6 cups rice Krispie cereal

Things You’ll Need

• ▢
  8×8 baking pan
• ▢
  Large saucepan

Before You Begin

• A quick tip when it comes to making Rice Krispie treats – if you press the cereal mixture into the pan too hard, you’ll end up with tough, dense bars. Press them enough to even them out in the pan, that’s all you need!
• You can use regular sized marshmallows, they will just take longer to melt. Try quartering the regular sized marshmallows to help them melt quicker.
• If you don’t have hot chocolate mix on hand you can substitute it with the same amount of unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Store your hot chocolate rice krispie treats in an air-tight container kept at room temperature for 3-5 days. Be sure to seal them so they don’t harden and become stale.

Instructions

• In a large saucepan, melt butter on low heat. Add marshmallows (except for a handful), stirring continually on low heat until entirely melted.
• Remove from heat, add in rice krispies cereal and hot chocolate mix until well combined.
• Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and press mixture into the dish while still warm. Sprinkle with the rest of the mini marshmallows and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (1 rice krispie) | Calories: 258cal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 1360IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 6mg

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