Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats are a fun and easy holiday treat. Coated in white chocolate and shimmering sugar, these red and white spirals will add a festive touch to your dessert trays.
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Peppermint Rice Krispie Pinwheels
One of my favorite and easiest treats to make for almost anything is M&M rice krispie treats. Nothing beats those soft, gooey treats! A few years ago, I gave my favorite treats a holiday makeover for Christmas. I combined my love of Rice Krispie treats and peppermint pinwheels into a pan of holiday goodness.
The first time I made these peppermint Rice Krispie treats, our kids thought I had stopped at a bakery and bought treats. They were so surprised you could make such a fancy treat at home, and they couldn't wait to help roll up another batch. Our kitchen turned into a holiday workshop that very next day!
Between the swirls of vanilla and peppermint and the sparkly coating, these spirals quickly became a family tradition. Plus, they're so pretty and always get compliments when we bring them to parties this time of year.
Why You'll Love These Peppermint Treats
Christmas Rice Krispie treats are a holiday must-have! Layers of vanilla and peppermint cereal rolled into fun pinwheels are always a hit with kids and adults.
- They're a fun spin on a classic favorite, mixing a simple treat with festive holiday flavors.
- The swirls of peppermint and vanilla add instant Christmas cheer to any dessert table.
- No baking is required, which makes them quick and stress-free during the busy holiday season.
- They are simple to make but look fancy. This makes them great for class parties, cookie exchanges, dessert platters, and holiday potlucks.
- For the cutest edible holiday gift, package them in clear bags with a sticker and a bow.
Main Ingredients
To make these pinwheel treats, you will need a few simple ingredients.
- Marshmallows: You will need a bag of regular mini marshmallows and peppermint marshmallows.
- Butter: You can use salted or unsalted butter in this recipe, so use whatever you have in your fridge.
- Rice Krispie Cereal: You will need one 12-ounce box of cereal.
- Peppermint Baking Chips: I like to use these to add more peppermint flavor and a bright red color to the gooey marshmallows.
- White Chocolate Melting Wafers: I like Ghirardelli chocolate wafers because they melt well and dry smoothly. You can also melt white chocolate chips in a pinch.
- White Sanding Sugar: Adds a shimmer and a little extra crunch to the outside of each crispy rice pinwheel.
How To Make Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats
- Make the vanilla layer. Place the marshmallows and butter in a large pot and heat and stir over medium heat until melted. Stir in the crispy rice cereal until coated. Then, press it in an even layer on the bottom of a prepared pan.
- Make the peppermint layer. Place the peppermint marshmallows and butter in a separate pot. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the marshmallows melt. Once melted, add the cereal and peppermint chips, stirring until everything is well coated. Spoon the cereal mixture evenly over the vanilla layer in the pan. Then gently press and spread it out until it completely covers it.
- Roll it up. Let the layers cool for about 5 minutes. Then, lift it out of the pan and gently roll it up from the shorter side of the rectangle. Use your hands to keep the mixture together while you roll it up evenly into a log.
- Cut into rounds. Let the roll cool for another 15 minutes, and then use a sharp knife to cut it into ten pinwheels. Place them on wax paper.
- Decorate and wrap. Melt the white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Use a metal spatula to spread melted chocolate on the outside edge of each pinwheel. Roll the edges in white sanding sugar.
Storage Recommendations
These festive treats are best within 1-2 days of being made. Store the pinwheels in an airtight container at room temperature.
Tips and Tricks
- Line your pan. I prefer to use foil-backed parchment paper because it fits the pan better. Use a paper towel to butter the parchment paper.
- Use fresh marshmallows. This keeps your crispy treats soft and gooey instead of hard and crumbly.
- Add a little bit of the red gel food coloring to boost the red color, if desired.
- Keep spreadable butter nearby so you can apply a layer to your hands. Avoid using baking or cooking spray, as it leaves an unpleasant flavor.
- Work fast, as the marshmallow mixture sets up quickly. Be ready to mix, layer, and then roll!
- To keep the rolled pinwheel log's shape neat, let it sit for 20-30 minutes before slicing.
- Add sprinkles or crushed candy canes around the outside instead of sparkling sugar for extra fun.
FAQs
Butter your hands or use a rubber spatula to handle it without the mess.
Yes! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they'll stay fresh for a couple of days.
Nope! They're still delicious without it, but those extras add a fun holiday sparkle.
Just press the cracks back together with your hands. The marshmallow mixture is very forgiving.
More Rice Krispie Treat Recipes
- Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats
- Chocolate Mint Rice Krispie Treats
- Mickey Mouse Rice Krispie Treats
- Stuffed Rice Krispie Treats
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Recipe
Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats
Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats are a fun and easy holiday treat. Coated in white chocolate and shimmering sugar, these red and white spirals will add a festive touch to your dessert trays.
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Layer
- 2 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
For the Peppermint Layer
- 2 ½ cups mini peppermint marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons butter
- red gel color, optional
- 2 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
- ½ cup peppermint baking chips
For the Decorations
- ½ cup white chocolate melting wafers
- white sanding sugar
Instructions
- Line a 9x13 pan with foil-lined parchment paper. Generously grease the parchment paper with butter.
- Place the marshmallows and butter in a large saucepan. Heat and stir over medium heat until melted. Stir in the cereal until coated.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan. Use another piece of parchment paper to press it evenly into the bottom of the pan. You can also butter your hands and press it this way.
- Place the peppermint marshmallows and butter in another large saucepan. Heat and stir over medium heat until melted.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the peppermint chips until melted. Add a little bit of the red gel food coloring to boost the red color, if desired.
- Stir in the cereal until everything is coated. Spoon the mixture evenly over the regular layer in the pan. Gently press and spread until it completely covers the vanilla layer.
- Press down firmly using parchment paper or buttered hands. Let it cool for 5 minutes.
- Lift the parchment paper out of the pan and start rolling it from the shorter side. Press it with your hands, pulling the parchment off as you go.
- Let the log sit for 15 minutes. Then, using a serrated knife, cut it into 10 even circles.
- Melt the white chocolate according to the package directions. Use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate around the outside of the pinwheels. Roll the pinwheels in the sanding sugar immediately. Let them set before wrapping.
Notes
- Line your pan. I prefer to use foil-backed parchment paper because it fits the pan better. Use a paper towel to butter the parchment paper.
- Use fresh marshmallows. This keeps your crispy treats soft and gooey instead of hard and crumbly.
- Add a little bit of the red gel food coloring to boost the red color, if desired.
- Keep spreadable butter nearby so you can apply a layer to your hands. Avoid using baking or cooking spray, as it leaves an unpleasant flavor.
- Work fast, as the marshmallow mixture sets up quickly. Be ready to mix, layer, and then roll!
- To keep the rolled pinwheel log's shape neat, let it sit for 20-30 minutes before slicing.
- Add sprinkles or crushed candy canes around the outside instead of sparkling sugar for extra fun.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 217Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 157mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
This post was first published in December 2016. It was updated and then republished in December 2024.
Wendy
I LOVE these! What a fun and delicious gift! Everyone loves Rice Krispie treats and these treats are special! Do you have any idea how long they stay good once wrapped? I am thinking care package gifts. 🙂
Ashley R
Is there a substitute for the peppermint chips? I'm not finding any at my stores.
Jocelyn
I usually find them at Target in the holiday aisles. Amazon is another great place to buy them. The other alternative is to chop up Hershey's candy cane kisses and use those. You will need to add some red or pink food coloring to get the color though. I hope that helps and you have fun making the pinwheels.