The holidays are a time for joy, togetherness, and of course, irresistible treats that bring a smile to everyone’s face. One of my favorite holiday recipes is White Chocolate Christmas Rice Crispy Treats a simple, no-bake dessert that is as fun to make as it is to eat.
These bite-sized treats combine the crunchy texture of puffed rice cereal with the sweetness of white chocolate and festive sprinkles, making them perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or just snacking by the fire.
A Holiday Tradition in the Making
I first started making these White Chocolate Rice Krispie Balls a few years ago when I wanted a quick, easy-to-prepare treat that still felt festive and special. It was one of those busy holiday seasons where every weekend was packed with events, and I found myself needing something I could whip up without too much effort. But I also wanted to create something that had that nostalgic holiday flair.
I remember the first time I made them—my kitchen smelled of melted marshmallows and warm butter, which instantly took me back to my childhood Christmases when I would make classic Rice Krispie treats with my family. Adding white chocolate and colorful holiday sprinkles to the mix seemed like the perfect way to elevate the recipe, and the result was a hit! Every year since then, it’s become a staple in our holiday snack lineup, and I’ve even passed the recipe on to friends who now swear by it for their festive gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s something undeniably satisfying about the combination of crispy, chewy Rice Krispies and the smooth richness of white chocolate. The added crunch of holiday sprinkles gives each bite a delightful pop, making these balls not only fun to eat but visually appealing as well. Here are a few more reasons why you’ll love this recipe:
- Customizable: You can easily switch up the sprinkles to match any holiday or occasion, making them versatile for celebrations year-round.
- Quick and easy: With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these in under an hour.
- Perfect for gift-giving: These make great homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or friends. Simply package them in a festive tin or jar, and you’re good to go.
- No-bake: No need to heat up the oven, which is a huge bonus when your kitchen is already busy with other holiday prep.
Serving Information
- Servings: Makes approximately 20-24 rice krispie balls
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Calories: ~150 calories per ball
Expert Tips for Perfect White Chocolate Rice Krispie Balls
To ensure your White Chocolate Rice Krispie Balls turn out perfectly every time, here are some tips I’ve learned from making them over the years:
- Grease your hands: Rolling the sticky marshmallow mixture into balls can get a little messy. Lightly greasing your hands with butter or cooking spray will make the process smoother and less frustrating.
- Don’t overheat the chocolate: White chocolate can be tricky to melt because it tends to seize if overheated. Be sure to melt it in short intervals and stir between each round of microwaving to avoid scorching it.
- Work quickly with the sprinkles: Once you dip the Rice Krispie balls in the white chocolate, add the sprinkles right away. The chocolate can set fast, especially if your kitchen is cool, so sprinkle while it’s still wet for the best results.
- Refrigerate to speed up setting: If you’re in a hurry, pop the coated Rice Krispie balls in the fridge for a few minutes to help the chocolate harden faster.
Explore More Christmas Desserts
If you’re looking for more festive treats to brighten up your holiday season, be sure to check out our full Christmas Desserts collection, where you’ll find an array of delightful sweets perfect for any holiday occasion.
For another fun twist on a no-bake treat, try our No-Bake Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings – a playful variation on the classic Rice Krispie dessert, shaped into mini puddings and decorated with white chocolate and holly sprinkles.
And if you’re in the mood for a frosty, whimsical dessert, don’t miss the adorable Chilly Snowman Marshmallow Cupcakes, featuring fluffy marshmallow snowmen perched atop cupcakes, perfect for bringing a bit of winter magic to your dessert table.
Serving Suggestions
These White Chocolate Rice Krispie Balls are perfect for holiday gatherings, and you can serve them in a variety of creative ways:
- Holiday gift: Stack these treats inside a decorative tin or holiday-themed jar as a thoughtful, homemade holiday gift for friends and family.
- On a dessert platter: Arrange them alongside other holiday treats like cookies, brownies, and candy canes for a colorful and inviting dessert spread.
- As a party favor: Place a few balls in clear treat bags, tie them with a festive ribbon, and hand them out as party favors for guests to take home.
- Hot cocoa pairing: Serve these with a warm mug of hot chocolate or coffee for a cozy treat that balances the sweetness of the white chocolate.
Until Our Next Recipe
I hope you’re as excited to try these White Chocolate Rice Krispie Balls with Holiday Sprinkles as I am to share the recipe with you. They’re a sweet, festive, and easy treat that brings a little extra holiday cheer to any occasion. Whether you’re making them for a party, a gift, or just for yourself, I’d love to hear how they turned out! If you have any questions or creative twists on the recipe, drop them in the comments below. And don’t forget to share your pictures on social media using #EmmasCakeStudio—let’s spread the holiday spirit together!
Christmas Rice Crispy Treats
Christmas rice crispy treats come together with melted marshmallows, crispy cereal, and festive sprinkles for a quick holiday treat. I use the classic method, then press the mixture into a pan and decorate with colored sugar or drizzle white chocolate over the top. These Christmas rice krispie treats are easy to cut, stack, and wrap for parties or gifting. When I need rice krispie treats Christmas-style that feel special but take almost no time, this is the version I make. Add them to your list of krispie treats Christmas trays or save them for classroom parties, cookie swaps, or holiday dessert boards. They’re the kind of holiday rice krispie treats that always disappear first.
Ingredients
- 3 cups puffed rice cereal
- 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows (or 1 cup mini marshmallows + 1/4 cup marshmallow fluff)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups white chocolate chips or white chocolate candy melts
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (optional, for smoother melting)
- 1/2 cup red, green, and white nonpareils
Instructions
- MAKE THE RICE KRISPIE MIXTURE: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until they are fully melted and smooth. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Gently fold in the puffed rice cereal, mixing until the cereal is fully coated with the marshmallow mixture. Let it cool for 2 to 3 minutes until warm but safe to handle.
- SHAPE THE BALLS: Lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray. Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. If the mixture is crumbly, press gently to shape each ball. Place the shaped balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them cool completely.
- MELT THE WHITE CHOCOLATE: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips or candy melts in 20–30 second intervals, stirring between each round until smooth. If the chocolate is thick, stir in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to loosen the texture. Let the melted chocolate sit for a minute or two so it slightly thickens for easier coating.
- COAT THE BALLS AND ADD SPRINKLES: Dip each rice krispie ball into the melted white chocolate until fully coated. Use a fork to lift and gently tap off excess chocolate. Return the coated balls to the parchment-lined tray and immediately sprinkle with red, green, and white nonpareils before the chocolate sets.
- SET AND SERVE: Allow the coated rice krispie balls to set at room temperature, or place the tray in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to speed up the process. Once the chocolate is firm, transfer the balls to a serving dish or airtight container. Stack neatly to show off the festive colors.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. If stacking, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Nutrition Information
Yield
20Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 269Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 6gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 12mgSodium 56mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 1gSugar 24gProtein 3g
Emma
I didn’t have alot of white chocolate meets so I used tempered dark chocolate. I used the white chocolate and melted it into the marshmallow mix to add some depth. My only issue is that when coating the balls, I didn’t get a nice smooth look for to the rice crispie.. Is it because your white chocolate was thicker?
Hi Jo-ann,
Thanks for sharing your creativity—I love how you adapted the recipe with tempered dark chocolate and added white chocolate to the marshmallow mix for extra flavor! As for the coating, you’re right: the consistency of white chocolate tends to be naturally thicker, which can create that smoother look. If the tempered dark chocolate was thinner, that might explain the difference. Next time, you could try letting the chocolate cool slightly before dipping—it thickens as it cools and coats more evenly. Hope this helps, and great job! 😊