Candy Cane Rice Krispie Treats

This post may contain affiliate links (full disclosure policy). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

These candy cane rice krispie treats are a delicious holiday spin on a classic, fun dessert. Throw them together in just minutes and enjoy some pepperminty-sweetness!

Rice Krispie treats, for me, have always been a fall thing. I’m not sure why. My mom and I would make them for Halloween, coloring the treats with orange or green food coloring (obviously they tasted spookier that way). This year, after I mixed things up with some Pumpkin Spice Krispie Treats, I had gotten an idea.

I can feel my blood sugar rising just looking at those ooey gooey white chocolate pepperminty bars of goodness! I am a sucker for mint or peppermint anything. Mint green tea, peppermint bark, Andes Mints, peppermint mochas. I love that fresh tingle, especially paired with chocolate! If you feel the same way friend, then these treats will not disappoint!

THE RECIPE

You will need just 5 ingredients:

• 6 c. Rice Krispie Cereal
• 3 Tablespoons Butter
• 4 cups mini marshmallows
• 4-6 full size candy canes {to taste}
• Wilton White Chocolate Candy Melts

First, we want to create our crushed candy cane pieces. You can buy candy cane pieces pre-crushed, or you can do what I did: accidentally drop a candy cane on your hardwood floor, watch it shatter into a million pieces all over the living room, and realize it would probably be pretty easy to make homemade crushed candy canes.

I do not recommend crushing your candy canes this way, however. There is a far less messy and more sanitary way to get the job done!

I broke them into about 4 pieces and placed them into a large glass bowl and used the bottom of a clean 8oz mason jar {or the blunt object of your choice} to crush them into fine pieces.

Next, in a double boiler (or the microwave, per Wilton’s directions on the packaging) melt your white chocolate. I used just about 1/4 cup of white chocolate candy melts–use more or less to taste.

In the meantime, in a tall stock pot melt your butter and toss in your marshmallows. Stir, and while your marshmallows are melting, add in about half (to taste–you might need to test how pepperminty you want your treats_ of your candy cane crumbles. Since the candy canes have been crushed so finely, and since your marshmallows are hot, your candy cane pieces will melt, turning your marshmallow mix a bit pink.

At this point, you can toss in your melted white chocolate and stir before stirring in your Rice Krispie Cereal. (Alternatively, you set your melted white chocolate aside and later place it in a pastry bag and drizzle it over the top of your treats when they are finished!)

To give the treats more than just a pink glow, toss in the remainder (or to taste) of your crushed candy cane as you stir your cereal into the melted marshmallow mix. Place your treat mix in a cake pan or casserole dish (9×13 works, although I used a Pyrex 2 qt. casserole dish–whatever fits!) cover your warm treats with parchment paper (I find that works better than wax paper), and gently press your treats down into the pan:

And then, all that’s left to do is enjoy them! I had a bit of leftover candy cane crumbs, so I sprinkled those on top. If I could do these again (and you bet I will) I would use closer to 4–rather than 6–candy canes, because I prefer just a mild splash of peppermint. What do you think?

These were so YUM–you will have to try them!