Okay, so you know those basic Rice Krispies treats that everyone’s made a million times? Well, get ready to have your mind completely blown because these chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats are about to take that childhood favorite and give it the most amazing upgrade ever. I’m talking about all the crispy, gooey goodness you remember, but with cherry flavor throughout and a gorgeous chocolate drizzle that makes them look like they came from a fancy candy shop!
Why These Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats Are Pure Magic
Here’s what makes these incredible chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats so ridiculously irresistible – they’ve got all the nostalgic comfort of regular Rice Krispies treats, but with this sophisticated twist that makes them feel special enough for parties or gifts. The cherry Jello powder (yeah, that’s the secret!) infuses the entire treat with authentic cherry flavor, and that chocolate drizzle on top? It’s like the perfect finishing touch that screams “fancy candy” but is actually super easy to make.
The beauty of these amazing chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats is how they bridge that gap between kid-friendly and adult-impressive. At only 144 calories per serving, you can feel good about eating them, and they take literally 10 minutes to make – no fancy techniques required!
The breakdown: 10 minutes total, 10 minutes active work. Makes 24 treats. Super beginner-friendly – if you can melt butter and stir, you’ve got this.
What makes these fantastic chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats so much better than regular ones? Complex flavors, elegant presentation, and they actually taste like expensive candy but cost way less to make!
Everything You Need for These Show-Stopping Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats
The Classic Base:
- 4 tablespoons butter – Regular or Earth Balance both work great
- 10 oz mini marshmallows – The gooey magic that holds everything together
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal – The star that gives you that signature crunch
The Cherry Game-Changer:
- 4 oz package cherry Jello – This is the secret ingredient that changes everything!
The Chocolate Perfection:
- 1½ cups chocolate chips – For that gorgeous, glossy drizzle
- 1 tablespoon shortening – Makes the chocolate smooth and drippy
Want to switch things up? Vegan butter works for dairy-free versions, other Jello flavors create different fruit variations, and white chocolate chips make for an elegant twist!
Let’s Make These Game-Changing Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats!
Step 1: Start with the Butter Base
Heat your butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it’s completely melted and slightly foamy. Use a heavy-bottomed pan if you’ve got one – it prevents those annoying hot spots that can burn your butter.
Step 2: Melt Those Marshmallows
Add your mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir continuously until they’re completely melted and smooth. Keep the heat at medium – you don’t want to brown them or they’ll get too sticky to work with.
Step 3: The Cherry Magic Moment
Remove the pan from heat and immediately stir in that cherry Jello powder. Watch as your mixture turns this gorgeous pink color and starts smelling like cherry heaven! Work quickly while it’s still warm so the Jello dissolves completely without any lumps.
Step 4: Add the Rice Krispies
Add your Rice Krispies cereal to the marshmallow mixture and stir until every single piece is evenly coated with that beautiful pink mixture. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to avoid crushing the delicate cereal pieces.
Step 5: Press Into Shape
Grease your hands really well (trust me on this!) and gently press the mixture into a rimmed baking sheet. You want even thickness without compacting it too much – we want to keep that crispy texture!
Step 6: The Waiting Game
Let your chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats cool completely at room temperature before adding the chocolate drizzle. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes – perfect time to prep your chocolate!
Step 7: Create That Perfect Chocolate Drizzle
Melt your chocolate chips with shortening in the microwave for 1 minute, then stir until smooth. If you need more time, heat in 15-second intervals until it reaches that perfect drizzling consistency. The shortening is what makes it glossy and smooth!
Step 8: The Grand Finale
Drizzle that gorgeous melted chocolate over your cooled treats in whatever pattern makes you happy. Work quickly while the chocolate is still warm for the smoothest coverage. Use a fork or squeeze bottle for controlled drizzling that looks totally professional!
Making Your Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats Look Amazing
The beauty of these stunning chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats is that pink and brown color combo that immediately makes people think of fancy chocolate-covered cherry candies. Cut them into neat squares and arrange on a pretty platter to really show off that chocolate drizzle.
Serve them at room temperature when the chocolate has set but the Rice Krispies are still perfectly crispy. The cherry flavor is most pronounced when they’re fresh, so they’re perfect for immediate enjoyment!
PrintChocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats: The Glow-Up Your Childhood Treats Always Deserved
These Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats are a fun and fruity twist on a classic dessert, combining cherry-flavored cereal bars with a drizzle of rich melted chocolate.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 treats 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter (regular or Earth Balance)
- 10 oz. mini marshmallows
- 6 cups Rice Krispies (or use a gluten-free brand like malt o’ meal)
- 4 oz. package cherry jello
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp shortening
Instructions
- Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat until melted.
- Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
- Stir in cherry jello powder until fully combined.
- Remove from heat and stir in the Rice Krispies cereal.
- With clean, greased hands, press the mixture gently into a rimmed baking sheet to form an even layer.
- While the treats are cooling, melt the chocolate chips with the shortening in the microwave for 1 minute.
- Stir until smooth and creamy, heating in 15-second increments if needed.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled cherry Rice Krispies treats.
Notes
- Grease your hands with oil or butter to prevent sticking when pressing the mixture.
- You can substitute the cherry jello for another flavor if desired.
- Allow treats to cool completely before cutting for clean slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat
- Calories: 144
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 67mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Storage and Freshness Tips
Storage: Keep your chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. That chocolate drizzle actually helps preserve freshness!
Prevent sticking: Layer them with parchment paper so the chocolate doesn’t stick to the container or other treats.
Texture tip: Don’t refrigerate these! It makes them too hard and can cause the chocolate to develop that weird white bloom.
Make-ahead magic: You can make these up to 3 days ahead, making them perfect for party prep or gift-giving!
Want to Get Creative With Your Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats?
Double Chocolate: Use chocolate Rice Krispies and add cocoa powder to the marshmallow mixture for intense chocolate flavor.
White Chocolate Elegance: Replace chocolate chips with white chocolate for a more elegant, milder flavor.
Strawberry Twist: Use strawberry Jello instead of cherry for a different fruit flavor.
Almond Cherry: Add almond extract to the marshmallow mixture for that premium chocolate-covered cherry candy flavor.
The Health Benefits (Yes, Really!)
Quick energy: These give you fast energy through simple carbs – perfect for pre-workout fuel!
Portion control: At 144 calories each, they’re perfectly portioned for satisfying your sweet tooth without going overboard.
Customizable: Easy to modify with different cereals or add-ins to meet your dietary needs.
Minimal processing: Way more wholesome than most commercial candy with simple, recognizable ingredients.
More Creative Treats That’ll Keep Your Sweet Tooth Happy!
If these chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats have got you totally hooked on upgrading classic treats with creative twists (and honestly, who doesn’t love making ordinary things extraordinary?), you’re going to absolutely love these other incredible recipes that prove simple ingredients can create amazing results.
First up, these Easter egg cereal treats are perfect for when you want that same crispy, gooey satisfaction but with a fun seasonal twist. They’re basically the spring cousin of our chocolate cherry treats!
Then there are these insane chocolate peanut butter butterscotch marshmallow bars that you absolutely need to indulge in – they’re like the ultimate loaded candy bar in treat form. Talk about taking things to the next level!
And if you’re loving the cherry theme but want to try something completely different, this maraschino cherry cake is a delightful twist on a classic that brings that same fruity goodness in cake form.
Want tons more creative treat inspiration and fun recipe ideas? I’ve got my Pinterest loaded with amazing treats that’ll keep you experimenting in the kitchen and creating new favorites!
Why These Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats Are Life-Changing
Look, I’ve made regular Rice Krispies treats probably a thousand times, but these chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats are in a completely different league. They prove that sometimes the best innovations come from taking something classic and giving it just the right twist.
The genius of these wonderful chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats is how they make you feel like you’re eating something fancy and special, but they’re actually easier to make than a lot of “basic” desserts. That cherry Jello powder is such a simple addition, but it transforms everything!
Whether you’re making these incredible chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats for a party, as homemade gifts, or just because you want to surprise your family with something amazing, they deliver every single time. They’re the kind of treat that makes people ask for the recipe immediately.
The best part about these delicious chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats? They look like they came from a gourmet candy shop, but they cost a fraction of the price and take literally 10 minutes to make. It’s like having a secret weapon in your dessert arsenal!
So go ahead, make these fantastic chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats and prepare to become the person everyone asks to bring dessert to every gathering. Trust me, once people taste these beauties, regular Rice Krispies treats will never be the same again!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do bodybuilders eat Rice Krispie squares?
Bodybuilders eat Rice Krispies treats because they provide quick-digesting carbohydrates that rapidly replenish glycogen stores after intense workouts. The simple sugars from marshmallows and cereal are absorbed quickly, making them ideal for post-workout recovery. They’re also convenient, portable, and provide immediate energy for training sessions when consumed pre-workout.
Why don’t they sell Rice Krispies anymore?
Rice Krispies are still widely available in most grocery stores, though availability may vary by region or specific store inventory. Kellogg’s continues to produce Rice Krispies cereal, and they’re typically found in the cereal aisle. If you’re having trouble finding them, try different stores or consider online ordering for consistent availability.
Why were strawberry Rice Krispies discontinued?
Strawberry Rice Krispies were discontinued due to declining sales and changing consumer preferences toward more natural ingredients and less artificial coloring. Limited-edition flavors like strawberry are often discontinued when they don’t meet sales targets. However, you can recreate similar flavors at home using strawberry Jello powder in homemade Rice Krispies treats.
What is the secret to soft rice crispy treats?
The secret to soft Rice Krispies treats is using fresh marshmallows, not overheating the mixture, and not over-pressing when shaping. Use a 1:1 ratio of marshmallows to cereal by weight, melt marshmallows gently over low heat, and press firmly but not too hard when shaping. Adding a pinch of salt and vanilla extract also enhances flavor and texture.