How to make gooey strawberry Rice Krispie treats flavored with Jello and freeze dried strawberries. Easy dessert recipe for kids, parties, and baby showers!
Awhile back I shared my pink Rice Krispie treats recipe with you. And while I was working on that recipe, I decided I also wanted to make a really yummy strawberry Rice Krispie treat recipe.
I went back and forth between using either strawberry Jello or freeze-dried strawberries… I even thought about using fresh strawberries.
In the end, I decided to use both Jello and freeze-dried strawberries.
OH MY GOSH! These are hands down my favorite Rice Krispie treats ever. They're chewy and gooey and full of strawberry flavor. I've never had anything quite like them.
While the strawberry Jello gives some flavor and color, the freeze-dried strawberries are the real trick to this recipe; they add a tangy berry flavor you won't otherwise get.
Now if you love rice crispy treats as much as I do, you'll love these recipes too:
- Original Rice Krispie treats
- Peanut butter Rice Krispie treats
- Microwave Rice Krispies treats
- Chocolate Rice Krispie squares
- Frankenstein Rice Krispie treats
- Heart shaped Rice Krispie treats
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.
- Almond extract – This is one of my favorite extracts to use in desserts. It gives a rich li'l kick and enhances the flavors.
- Salt
- Mini marshmallows
- Strawberry Jello
- Crisp rice cereal – I just use Aldi's brand.
- Freeze-dried strawberries – You can buy these at Walmart. I use Natierra Nature's Organic Freeze-Dried Strawberries, and I get them on Amazon. They will need to be chopped, but save back a handful of whole slices for the top of each treat.
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 (pictured) is my go to spatula.
Chopper and Cutting Board
HOW TO MAKE STRAWBERRY 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 strawberry Rice Krispie treats with Jello is a fairly quick process, so be sure to gather and measure your ingredients beforehand.
- Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over low to medium heat.
- Then stir the vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt into the butter.
- Add the mini marshmallows to the melted butter mixture, stirring 'til they're almost melted.
- Gently stir an ounce of the Jello mix into the melted marshmallow mixture 'til it's completely dissolved.
- Remove your pan from the heat and stir in the Rice Krispies.
- Finally, stir the chopped freeze-dried strawberries into the cereal mixture.
Then you'll just spread the mixture into a 9″x13″ baking pan, gently patting it down 'til it's even and smooth all over the pan; and allow the treats to cool to room temperature.
When you're ready to serve, just cut each crispy square into serving size pieces, and place a strawberry on top of each treat.
HOW DO YOU SOFTEN RICE KRISPIE BARS?
After 2 or 3 days, strawberry marshmallow Rice Krispie treats will start to harden up and be extra chewy or rock solid.
Here are a few ways to ensure that you have the softest but chewiest treats possible:
- Use fresh ingredients, namely marshmallows and cereal.
- Cook the marshmallow mixture on low to medium heat, and don't overdo it. Stir and melt 'til they're just about melted; then take them off the heat and finish the recipe.
- Use a bit more cereal than marshmallows. This 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 let them go at that.
- And finally, store your flavored Rice Krispie treats properly, which brings me to my next point…
HOW TO STORE STRAWBERRY RICE KRISPIES 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 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 STRAWBERRY DESSERTS
I love pretty much strawberry everything. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Homemade strawberry ice cream
- Blackberry strawberry muffins
- Strawberry Jello poke cake
- Fresh strawberry pie from scratch
- No bake strawberry delight
- Strawberry shortcake with biscuits
- Strawberry stuffed cupcakes
- Strawberry cream pie
- Strawberry Delight with Vanilla Pudding
GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE
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The Best Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats Ever
Equipment
- Natierra Nature's Organic Freeze-Dried Strawberries | Gluten Free & Vegan | 1.2 Ounce
- Jell-O Gelatin Dessert, Strawberry Flavor, 3-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 3)
- Mueller Onion Chopper Pro Vegetable Chopper – Strongest – NO MORE TEARS
- Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- The Pampered Chef Classic Scraper
- Anolon Bronze Nonstick Baking Pan With Lid, Rectangle – 9 Inch x 13 Inch, Brown
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 ounce strawberry Jello
- 8 cups Rice Krispies cereal*
- 1.2 ounces freeze-dried strawberries chopped*
Instructions
- 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.
- Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over low to medium heat.
- Then stir the vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt into the butter.
- Add the mini marshmallows to the melted butter mixture, stirring 'til they're almost melted.
- Gently stir an ounce of the Jello mix into the melted marshmallow mixture 'til it's completely dissolved.
- Remove your pan from the heat and stir in the Rice Krispies.
- Finally, stir the chopped freeze-dried strawberries into the cereal mixture.
- Then just spread the mixture into a 9″x13″ baking pan, gently patting it down 'til it's even and smooth all over the pan; and allow the treats to cool to room temperature.
- When you're ready to serve, just cut each crispy square into serving size pieces, and place a strawberry on top of each treat.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients, namely marshmallows and cereal.
- Cook the marshmallow mixture on low to medium heat, and don't overdo it. Stir and melt 'til they're just about melted; then take them off the heat and finish the recipe.
- Use a bit more cereal than marshmallows. This 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 let them go at that.
- And finally, store your flavored Rice Krispie treats properly, which brings me to my next point…
