Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to make sweet treats for loved ones, and these Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Treats are a delightful, no-bake dessert that everyone will love! These festive, heart-shaped treats are simple to make, fun to decorate and taste amazing. Whether making them for a party, a school event or to enjoy at home, this recipe will surely be a hit!
I decided to twist the classic Rice Krispie treat recipe for Valentine’s Day this year. A heart-shaped cookie cutter was the perfect choice—it’s easy to use and creates a delightful effect!
I’ve posted some pretty complex dessert recipes before, but this one’s as easy as it gets. And even though it’s a breeze to make, the taste is delicious. Don’t forget to sprinkle some pink goodness on it to give it that Valentine’s Day flair!
By the way, I’ve got a handful of fun and easy recipes you might want to try.
More Valentine’s Day Treats to Try
- Flower Pretzel Recipe – A fun and easy treat where a melted chocolate meltaway holds M&M candies in place to create a daisy-shaped pretzel snack. Perfect for adding a pop of color to your Valentine’s dessert table!
- Heart Shaped Pie – A sweet and flaky pie made with a heart-shaped crust and a delicious fruit or chocolate filling. These mini pies make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift or dessert.
- Sugar Cookie in a Mug – A quick and easy single-serve sugar cookie made right in a mug! This soft and chewy treat is perfect when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to bake a whole batch.
Tips for Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Treats
There are a few things that I discovered in making these cute hearts. I tried making them several ways and finally settled on this recipe I’m sharing.
Let’s take a look at a few of my discoveries.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Ensure your Rice Krispies cereal is fresh and crispy, as this will result in a better texture for your treats.
- Prepare the Heart-Shaped Mold: Start by greasing a heart-shaped mold or pan to ensure your treats come out smoothly without sticking.
- Melt the Marshmallows Slowly: When melting them, do it over low heat and stir constantly to prevent them from burning or sticking to the pan.
- Butter Your Hands and Spatula for Easy Handling: Generously butter your hands and spatula before pressing the mixture into the heart-shaped mold. This will prevent the sticky Rice Krispie treats from sticking to your hands and tools, making the process much smoother.
- Pack Down: Once you’ve mixed the cereal and marshmallow mixture, press it firmly but gently into a butter baking tray or pan without crushing it.
- Cut Out Heart: I tried placing the cooked Rice Krispies in the heart-shaped cookie cutters, but this was time-consuming and a bit sticky. So, instead, cut out the hearts after you have a solid and cooled tray of Rice Krispie treats. This step went super quick and efficient.
- Other Coatings: I originally planned to coat the treats with meltaway chocolates but struggled to get them to melt properly. Ultimately, I opted to skip this complex step to maintain the recipe’s simplicity and avoid unnecessary frustration.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Rice Krispie Treats!
- Butter: Butter adds richness and a smooth, creamy texture to the Rice Krispie treats, enhancing their flavor.
- Marshmallows: Marshmallows are the binding agent that holds the treats together, providing a sweet, chewy consistency.
- Rice Krispies: Rice Krispies cereal brings the signature crispiness and crunch to the treats, giving them their classic texture.
- Sugar Sprinkles: Sugar sprinkles add a delightful burst of color and a touch of sweetness, making the treats visually appealing and adding extra flavor.
How to Make Heart-Shaped Rice Krispie Treats
You’ll need to prep all your supplies before you start this treat. It just makes the process go so much smoother. Also, you’ll need a 9″x 12″ inch baking tray or pan to make these treats.
Step 1 – Prep Baking Tools
Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Butter your spatula and a heart-shaped cookie cutter.
Step 2 – Measure Cereal
Measure out Rice Krispie cereal and place it in a large bowl.
Step 3 – Melt Marshmallows
Place butter in a medium-sized saucepan and melt over medium to low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted.
Step 4 – Mix Ingredients
Pour the melted marshmallows into the bowl of Rice Krispies. Mix thoroughly with a buttered spatula. Transfer the Rice Krispies onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread and press the mixture evenly.
Step 5 – Cool Treats
Allow the Rice Krispie treats to cool. I placed mine in the fridge for about 20 – 30 minutes.
Step 6 – Cut Out Heart Shapes
Using your heart-shaped cookie cutter coated with butter cut out the heart shapes. You might need to apply pressure to ensure the cookie cutter pierces through the Rice Krispies. Place your treats on a parchment-lined plate.*
Step 7 – Decorate
Place a cute sugar heart in the middle of the Rice Krispie treat. Then sprinkle with pink sugar sprinkles.
*If you have any leftover Rice Krispie bits from the cutouts, simply gather them up and shape them inside the cookie cutter to create additional treats.
Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp butter
- 12 oz marshmallows
- 6 cups Rice Krispie Cereal
Instructions
- Prep Baking ToolsLine a 12" x 9" baking tray with parchment paper. Butter your spatula and a heart-shaped cookie cutter.
- Step 2 – Measure CerealMeasure out Rice Krispie cereal and place it in a large bowl.
- Step 3 – Melt MarshmallowsPlace butter in a medium-sized saucepan and melt over medium to low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until melted.
- Step 4 – Mix IngredientsPour the melted marshmallows into the bowl of Rice Krispies. Mix thoroughly with a buttered spatula. Transfer the Rice Krispies onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread and press the mixture evenly.
- Step 5 – Cool TreatsAllow the Rice Krispie treats to cool. I placed mine in the fridge for about 20 – 30 minutes.
- Step 6 – Cut Out Heart ShapesUsing your heart-shaped cookie cutter coated with butter cut out the heart shapes. You might need to apply pressure to ensure the cookie cutter pierces through the Rice Krispies. Place your treats on a parchment-lined plate.
- Step 7 – DecoratePlace a cute sugar heart in the middle of the Rice Krispie treat. Then sprinkle with pink sugar sprinkles.
Nutrition
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Why You’ll Love These Heart-Shaped Rice Krispie Snacks
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes with just a few ingredients.
- Fun to Decorate: Add sprinkles, drizzle with chocolate, or use cookie cutters to create heart-shaped treats.
- Kid-Friendly: A perfect Valentine’s Day activity to do with children.
- Delicious & Chewy: The perfect combination of crispy, marshmallowy goodness.
Alternatives Things To Add To Your Rice Krispie Treats
- Mini Chocolate Chips: For a sweet and chocolaty twist.
- Rainbow Sprinkles: To add a burst of color and fun.
- Crushed Oreos: For a cookies-and-cream flavor.
- Peanut Butter Swirls: To infuse a creamy, nutty taste.
- Dried Fruit: Such as cranberries or apricots for a fruity kick.
- Toasted Coconut: For a tropical and crunchy texture.
- Caramel Drizzle: To indulge in a rich caramel flavor.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Add a hint of chocolate easily with melting chocolate and drizzle it!
- Chopped Nuts: Like almonds or pecans for a satisfying crunch.
FAQ’s Rice Krispie Valentine Treats
Yes, you can use big marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows! The key is to measure by weight, not quantity. A 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows is equivalent to about 40 regular-sized marshmallows.
Tips for Using Large Marshmallows:
Cut them into smaller pieces before melting to help them melt more evenly.
Stir constantly to prevent burning, as larger marshmallows take longer to melt.
If using jumbo marshmallows, you may need to add a little extra butter to maintain a smooth consistency.
Yes, to make a dairy-free version, be sure to use vegan butter and marshmallows. Also, make sure your cereal is certified vegan.
Yes, but it’s not ideal. If needed, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Let them come to room temperature before eating.
Yes! You can make them 1-2 days in advance. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid refrigerating them, as this can make them too hard.
Add a few drops of red or pink food coloring to the melted marshmallow mixture before mixing in the cereal. Start with a small amount and adjust until you achieve the desired color.
Yes! Use honey or peanut butter as a natural binder instead of marshmallows. Simply heat the peanut butter and honey together until smooth, then mix with the cereal.
Perfect for Any Valentine’s Day Celebration
These Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Treats are great for:
- School parties
- Valentine’s Day gifts
- Family movie nights
- Special lunchbox surprises
Whether you’re making these for kids, friends, or that special someone, they are a simple and festive way to spread love this Valentine’s Day!
Hey there! Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’re all set for a fabulous Valentine’s Day with your loved ones. If you haven’t figured out what you are making, try some of these adorable Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie treats.
They are so easy and perfect with their heart shapes!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
Cheers,
Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com
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