Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats Ultimate Recipe

How to make the best chocolate Rice Krispie treats with chocolate chips and marshmallows. Quick and easy no bake recipe!

The first time I made chocolate rice crispy treats, I'll admit, I was a little leery. I'm so used to original Rice Krispie treats, and I wasn't so sure about adding chocolate into the mix.

And then my perspective changed with my first bite of these amazing chocolaty treats. The scary thing is, I probably could've eaten the whole pan if no one else were around.

chocolate Rice Krispie treats on brown paper bag with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips

The ingredients for these chocolate rice crispy cakes really are quite simple. I do like to use both cocoa powder and chocolate chips for maximum chocolate flavor.

And then there's almond extract, and we'll talk more in detail about it as you continue to read further. But almond extract really gives a kick to just about anything made with chocolate.

Chocolate Rice Krispie squares take maybe 15-20 minutes to make, once you have all your ingredients gathered up and ready to go. They're so quick and easy, and the perfect recipe for your kids or grandkids to help with too.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

If you’d rather skip all of my Krispie treat making tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the chocolate Rice Krispie treats recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

LET'S TALK INGREDIENTS:

ingredients for chocolate rice crispy treats on white marble countertop, including mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, Rice Krispies cereal, salted butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, salt, and cocoa powder

Salted Butter: It's important to use real butter and not margarine. Butter will give your Rice Krispies treats a richer flavor and texture. If you need a dairy-free option, try using the same amount of coconut oil in place of the butter.

Mini Marshmallows: While you can use either big marshmallows or mini marshmallows, I definitely recommend using the minis, since they'll melt a lot quicker than the jumbos. You can also use marshmallow fluff, although I’ve never tried it with this particular recipe.

Almond Extract: I've found that just about anytime I'm making something with chocolate as the main focus (especially a no bake recipe like Krispie treats or chocolate buttercream frosting), almond extract gives the chocolate flavor a real kick. It does not disappoint with these treats.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: I just use Hershey's cocoa powder. I love the flavor of chocolate Rice Krispie treats with cocoa powder and chocolate chips.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Now I know some would rather use milk chocolate chips, and that is totally fine. Just keep in mind that semi-sweet chips really give a rich, chocolaty flavor to these treats.

Rice Krispies Cereal: You can go with name brand or generic here. Myself, I prefer to use Aldi's crisp rice cereal because it's gluten-free.

Remember, all of the ingredients and ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED:

Large Sauce Pot or Dutch Oven – I prefer my Dutch oven because it gives me plenty of room for stirring in the cereal, making this a one pot dessert.

Heat-Resistant Spatula | Whisk | Wooden Spoon – I like to use my spatula when melting the marshmallows. Then I switch to my whisk when I whisk in the cocoa powder. Then to mix in the cereal, I change to my stronger wooden spoon.

9×13 Baking Dish

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE RICE KRISPIE TREATS

Before you get started, prepare your baking pan by spraying it well with cooking spray. This will keep your treats from sticking to the pan.

Making no bake chocolate Rice Krispie treats is a fairly quick process, so be sure to gather and measure your ingredients beforehand.

Melt the butter in a large sauce pot or Dutch oven over low to medium heat.
Stir in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt.
Add the mini marshmallows and chocolate chips to the butter mixture, stirring 'til almost melted.
Whisk in the cocoa powder 'til it's fully mixed into the melted marshmallow and chocolate chip mixture.
Remove from the heat, and stir in the crisp rice cereal.
Finally, spread the mixture in your greased 9×13 baking dish, gently patting 'til even and smooth.

steps for making chocolate rice crispy cakes in blue Dutch oven on stovetop, steps including melting butter, adding vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt, melting mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, whisking in cocoa powder, adding crisp rice cereal, and spreading mixture into white baking dish

Be sure to allow your treats time to cool before cutting them into squares and serving.

TIP: You can keep the sticky treats from sticking to your hands by wetting your hands just a bit with water, or spray your hands with cooking spray before pressing them into the pan.

stirring chocolate Rice Krispie treats mixture in blue Dutch oven with white spatula

FAQ:

Can I make these treats in the microwave?

Yes, you can. Just add the butter, mini marshmallows, vanilla extract, almond extract, salt, and chocolate chips to a large microwave safe bowl, and heat on high for 2 minutes, mostly melting the marshmallows, butter, and chocolate chips. Once everything is mostly melted, remove the bowl from the microwave, and whisk in the cocoa powder 'til smooth. Then quickly stir the cereal into the marshmallow mixture. Lightly press the mixture into your prepared 9×13 baking dish, and allow it to cool before serving.

How can I soften Krispie treats?

Use fresh ingredients, especially the marshmallows and cereal. When cooking the marshmallow mixture, don't overdo it; you want them to be almost melted when you go to stir in the cocoa powder. Use a bit more cereal than marshmallows; we like to use 8 cups cereal to 6 cups mini marshmallows, which will give you a soft, chewy treat. When you go to spread your treats in the pan, don't just pack them down; gently pat them down evenly and smoothly. And finally, store your Rice Krispie treats properly.

Why are my rice crispy treats falling apart?

This can happen when the recipe calls for too much butter, it calls for too many marshmallows, or the treats haven't completely cooled; they're liable to be stickier and quicker to fall apart while warm. Use exact ingredients, allow them to cool, and your Rice Krispie squares will form and meld together quite nicely.

How should I store chocolate Krispie treats?

Store these treats in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag. Crispy treats are best eaten the first 2 or 3 days, while they're still nice and soft.

Can I freeze chocolate Rice Krispie squares?

You can if you need to. Just make sure they're stored in an airtight container or freezer bag. Then make sure to get them out with at least half an hour to thaw before serving.

hand pulling no bake chocolate Rice Krispie squares from white baking dish

MORE RICE KRISPIE TREATS RECIPES:

I love making all kinds of Rice Krispie treats.

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