Description
Celebrate the 4th of July with these festive Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispie Treats. Layers of colorful marshmallow and crispy rice cereal create a patriotic dessert that’s perfect for summer gatherings. Easy to make and fun to eat, these treats combine classic ingredients with a vibrant twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter
- ¾ cup butter, divided
Marshmallows
- 15 cups mini marshmallows, divided
Crispy Rice Cereal
- 12 cups crispy rice cereal, divided
Flavoring and Coloring
- 1 ½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract, divided
- Red food coloring, 8-9 drops
- Blue food coloring, 6 drops
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Red Layer: In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt ¼ cup butter. Add 5 cups mini marshmallows and stir frequently until nearly melted. Reduce heat to low, add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and red food coloring gradually until desired color is reached. Remove from heat and stir in 4 cups crispy rice cereal until coated. Press mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Make White Layer: Repeat the melting process with another ¼ cup butter and 5 cups marshmallows without adding food coloring, keeping the mixture white. After melting, add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and stir in another 4 cups cereal. Press this layer evenly over the red layer in the pan.
- Make Blue Layer: Repeat the same process again with the remaining ¼ cup butter, 5 cups marshmallows, and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Add blue food coloring (6 drops) until the mixture reaches the desired hue. Stir in the remaining 4 cups cereal and press firmly over the white layer to form the blue top layer.
- Cool: Let the layered treats cool completely at room temperature to set.
- Remove from Pan: Use a knife to loosen the edges, then lift the treats out using the parchment paper. Place on a cutting board.
- Cut Shapes: Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut the treats into stars. If the cutter doesn’t cut all the way through, use it as a stencil and finish cutting with a knife to fully separate the shapes.
Notes
- Use parchment paper and cooking spray to prevent sticking and make removal easier.
- Gradually add food coloring to achieve your preferred shade for red and blue layers.
- Press each layer firmly to ensure the treats hold together well.
- Allow treats to cool fully before cutting to maintain shape and prevent crumbling.
- If you don’t have a star cookie cutter, any festive shape or simple squares will work.
