How to make pink Rice Krispie treats with food coloring. Easy recipe perfect for a baby shower, Valentine's Day, treats on a stick, and more.
Whether you're hosting or attending a Valentine's Day party, a baby shower, or maybe even a birthday party, pink Rice Krispie treats are the perfect choice.
With only a handful of ingredients, including red food coloring, they're easy to make and delicious too. No oven time is required for this recipe.
As for the main marshmallow treats, I'm using my favorite recipe for homemade Rice Krispie treats.
While I use Aldi's crisp rice cereal for my pink rice crispy treats (because it's gluten-free and affordable), you can use any brand rice crispy cereal.
As for the marshmallows and the food coloring, we'll talk about them below. I have my own preferences and tips for each.
If you want strawberry flavor, strawberry Rice Krispie treats are the perfect choice. And if you want a quicker, easier version with no stove time, microwave Rice Krispies are the best.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?
If you’d rather skip all of my treat making tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.
INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED:
- Salted butter – Make sure you use salted butter over margarine. Butter will give your marshmallow treats a richer flavor and texture.
- Vanilla extract – This is my favorite kind of vanilla; I found it when we visited Boquillas, Mexico. I've recently been able to order it from Leos Imports, as well.
- Salt
- Mini marshmallows
- Pink or red food coloring – I just use McCormick Red Food Color.
- Crisp rice cereal
Keep in mind, all of the ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.
KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED:
Large Pot – I use my Dutch oven; you can also use a large saucepan.
Heat-Resistant Spatula – This one (also pictured) is my go to spatula.
HOW TO MAKE PINK RICE KRISPIE TREATS
Before you get started, prepare your baking dish by spraying it well with cooking spray.
Making pink colored Rice Krispie treats is a quick 4 step process…
- Melt the butter in a large sauce pot or Dutch oven on the stovetop.
- Then add in the vanilla extract, salt, and mini marshmallows. Continue stirring until the marshmallows have fully melted.
- Remove the mixture from the heat, and stir in the red food coloring.
- Once your mixture is the shade of pink you want, quickly stir in the Rice Krispies cereal.
Now just spread the mixture evenly and smoothly into your baking dish; and at this point, you can add sprinkles if you want, before your treats cool.
Once they've cooled, you can slice them up and serve them.
They make the perfect Valentine Rice Krispie treats. They're also the perfect pink treats for a baby shower or a birthday party.
LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT KIND OF MARSHMALLOWS
While you can use either big marshmallows or mini marshmallows, I definitely recommend the minis.
You have to melt the marshmallows before mixing everything together with the Rice Krispies cereal. So the mini marshmallows are an easier choice, since they melt a lot quicker than the jumbo marshmallows.
Plus if you have leftovers, you can put a handful in a cup of hot chocolate. It's a win-win.
LIQUID OR GEL FOOD COLORING?
While you can use either liquid food coloring or gel food coloring, I recommend liquid. And I'll tell you why.
- Liquid food coloring is less expensive, and you can find it pretty easily in any baking aisle.
- It quickly and easily mixes in with the melted marshmallows.
- Just a few drops will give you a pastel pink color. You don't need a lot to get the results you want.
When using liquid food coloring, you do have to be careful not to add too much, or could change the consistency of your Rice Krispie treats, and they may not set up well.
With gel, you have to be careful not to add too much, or you may have a darker color than you prefer.
If you want to know more, Spoon University has a really helpful guide to Gel Food Coloring vs. Liquid Food Coloring.
HOW TO STORE PINK RICE CRISPY TREATS
It's important to store your treats in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag.
And you'll probably want to eat them within the first 2 or 3 days, so they're still nice and soft.
CAN YOU FREEZE PINK RICE KRISPIE TREATS?
You can if you need to. And then get them out with at least half an hour to thaw before serving.
Be sure when freezing them, though, that you again store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. And you might even put wax paper or parchment paper between the layers of treats so they don't stick together.
MORE YUMMY RICE KRISPIE TREATS:
- Heart shaped Valentine Rice Krispie treats
- Rice Krispie squares
- Frankenstein Rice Krispie treats
- Peanut butter Rice Krispie squares
- Chocolate rice crispy cakes
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How to Make Pink Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- Valentines Sprinkles, XOXO Sprinklefetti 8oz, Red Pink White Mini Hearts, Sprinkles for Baking, Gluten Free
- Anolon Bronze Nonstick Baking Pan With Lid, Rectangle – 9 Inch x 13 Inch, Brown
- Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- The Pampered Chef Classic Scraper
- McCormick Assorted Food Color, 1 Fl Oz
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups mini marshmallows
- 3 to 5 drops red liquid food coloring
- 6 cups crisp rice cereal
Instructions
- Prepare a 9"x13" baking dish by spraying it well with cooking spray.
- Melt the butter in a large sauce pan or Dutch oven on the stovetop.
- Then add in the vanilla extract, salt, and mini marshmallows. Continue stirring until the marshmallows have fully melted.
- Remove the mixture from the heat, and stir in the red food coloring, adding drops, 1-2 at a time, 'til you reach your desired shade of pink (I added around 5 drops or so).*
- Once your mixture is the shade of pink you want, quickly stir in the Rice Krispies cereal.
- Now just spread the mixture evenly and smoothly into your baking dish; and at this point, you can add sprinkles if you want, before the treats cool.
- Cut into serving size pieces and serve!
Video
Notes
- Liquid food coloring is less expensive, and you can find it pretty easily in any baking aisle.
- It quickly and easily mixes in with the melted marshmallows.
- Just a few drops will give you a pastel pink color. You don't need a lot to get the results you want. With gel, you have to be careful not to add too much, or you may have a darker color than you prefer.
