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We did a thing this weekend. A thing that most of you will not approve of.
We decorated for Christmas.
Look. I know that Thanksgiving is still coming. I’m well aware. I love Thanksgiving! It’s delicious and warm and fuzzy and I celebrate it every year, just like most of you.
I just don’t decorate for it. By the time November rolls around, I’m over the pumpkins. I’m ready for the brightly colored trees and the magic of Christmas lights.
Don’t hate me, okay?
Anyway, this year I decided to get my boys in on the decorating fun for two reasons – 1.) I needed someone to carry all the heavy boxes for me and 2.) I’ve accumulated an entire storage room full of Christmas decor and putting it all up takes for. ev. er.
So, I needed reinforcements.
I plied my boys with Christmas goodies and they were happy to help! This is such a fun way to start the magic of the season together as a family!
I whipped up my cookie dough fudge, Oreo fudge, and candy buttons for the occasion, along with these Christmas cereal bars.
What a delicious way to start the season!
These cereal bars are pretty similar to rice krispies treats, but I swapped in Chex cereal here. You can use corn or rice Chex.
You’ll melt your butter and marshmallows, pour in the cereal, and then add some red and green sprinkles and m&m candies. So easy and super festive!
My kids liked these even better than a traditional rice krispies treat and that’s saying a lot. We’re RKT fanatics around this house. I mean, have you tried my browned butter rice krispies treats?
They are my most popular recipe with friends and family. I bake cookies and brownies for a living and people are always requesting I bring rice krispies treats to get-togethers. Ha.
Anyway! I hope you guys enjoy these easy treats this year! Fa la la la la!
Should I come back in February with a Valentine’s version??
Christmas Crunch Cereal Bars
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 10 ounces marshmallows
- 6 cups Chex cereal rice or corn variety
- 3/4 cup red and green m&m candies divided
- 2 tablespoons red and green nonpareils divided
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, heat the butter and marshmallows until melted together, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
- Stir in the Chex cereal, 1 tablespoon of sprinkles, and half of the m&m candies, being careful not to break the cereal too much.
- Press the mixture into a parchment lined 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining sprinkles and candy over the top.
- Use a piece of wax paper sprayed with non-stick spray to press the cereal bars tightly into the pan.
- Let set for 30 minutes before cutting and serving.
Candice says
Tasty and delicious. Really easy to make. Made them for my Christmas plates, to share.
Karly says
Thanks, Candice! Merry Christmas!
Rhonda Harrison says
Like this recipe
Dominique says
Having trouble with keeping it all together. Cutting it into bars…it just falls apart..I need help. Taste great by the way.
Karly says
Hmm, not sure why they’d fall apart. Did you follow the recipe exactly and use the correct amount of cereal and marshmallows? The marshmallow goo should hold it all together well if you used the same amounts I did.
Brandi says
I had this problem too, mine completely crumbled when I tried to cut them.
Karly says
Sorry you had trouble with this one, Brandi! It’s basically just Rice Krispies treats with a different cereal, so I’m not sure what the problem woubd be if you’ve followed the directions as written. You do have to press the cereal mix firmly into the baking dish.
Maria Torres says
How hot does the oven need to be and for how long does it go in for ?(:
Karly says
This doesn’t go in the oven.
Tee says
Is that salted or unsalted butter in the recipe?
Karly says
I use salted butter.
BRENDA TIBBITTS says
So happy to know I’m not the only Christmas “nut” out there. I try to wait till Dec 1st, but this year It will happen next week. I have recently moved to a new place and since I’m getting the tree and trimmings out of my grandson’s storage space (finally”) I’m not going to put it into my storage, It’s just going to all put up. the longer to enjoy it. Besides I am far from a spring chicken so it will probably take me all week to get it all done. Love, Love, Love the recipes , thanks for having this site, you are wonderful. I AM A FAN
Amy C. says
Can you substitute marshmallow creme for the marshmallows? I have. Vegetarian daughter that doesn’t do gelatin. If so, any ideas on the measurement?
Karly says
I haven’t tried this with marshmallow creme before, but these work just like rice krispies treats, so if you’ve ever made those it should work the same.