Best Rice Krispie Christmas Wreaths Recipe for Kids Holiday Traditions
🎀 Luke 2:10-11 "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." 🎄
If you’re looking for a fun, festive, and completely irresistible holiday dessert, these Rice Krispie Wreaths are about to become your new Christmas tradition. My son and I make them together every year!
It’s everything you love about classic Rice Krispie treats. Gooey marshmallows, crispy cereal, rich buttery flavor, but shaped into adorable green wreaths, decorated with candy “berries” and a pretty red bow. It’s eye-catching, kid-friendly, and perfect for Christmas parties, classroom celebrations, and even cookie swaps.
Even better? This wreath recipe is no-bake, comes together in under an hour, and uses simple pantry ingredients. If you can melt butter and stir cereal, you can make this easy holiday dessert!
In this post, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, helpful tips for shaping your wreath, variations, and the full printable recipe at the bottom. Let’s get into it!
If you love these festive Rice Krispie Christmas Wreaths, you’ll want to try some of my other homemade favorites next! My Fresh Milled Zucchini Bread is a cozy classic that’s perfect for winter baking, and my Sourdough Banana Bread is a reader favorite that stays unbelievably moist and full of flavor. For a comforting dinner during the busy holiday season, don’t miss my Rabbit Pot Pie or my hearty Venison Stew, both nourishing, homestead-style meals that warm you from the inside out.
Scroll down for the recipe card, followed by detailed step-by-step instructions (with photos).
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Rice Krispie Wreaths Recipe!
Rice Krispie Wreaths
These festive Rice Krispie Wreaths are the perfect holiday treat! A gooey marshmallow treat shaped into a beautiful Christmas Wreath. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party or want a fun no-bake dessert to make with kids, this treat comes together in minutes and looks stunning on your holiday table.
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 bags (10 oz each) mini marshmallows (about 20 oz total)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- green food coloring (to desired shade)
- 9 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- ⅓ cup red cinnamon candies OR red mini M&Ms
- Optional: sprinkles, edible glitter, or a red licorice bow
Instructions
Prepare Your Wreath Base
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. If making a large wreath, place a large round bowl (or a small pot turned upside down) in the center to help guide the wreath shape.
- If making the small wreaths, you can shape them with your hands easily.
- You can also grease your hands or gloves ahead of time—it gets sticky!
Melt the Butter & Marshmallows
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and green food coloring until evenly tinted.
Add the Rice Krispies
- Working quickly, fold in the Rice Krispies cereal until everything is well coated and evenly colored. The mixture should be sticky and vibrant green.
Shape the Wreath
- For the large wreath, scoop the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet, forming a large ring around the bowl in the middle. Press gently with greased hands to shape it into an even, thick wreath.
- Remove the center bowl and smooth the inside edges.
- For the small wreaths, scoop the mixture onto smaller clumps, 8 on a sheet. Then coat hands with butter or cooking spray and shape the wreaths by poking a hole through the middle and shaping them.
Decorate
- While the wreath is still warm and sticky, press the red candies around it to resemble berries.
- Add sprinkles or edible glitter if desired. If you'd like a bow, shape one from pull-apart licorice and press it gently onto the wreath.
Set & Serve
- Allow the wreaths to cool for about 30 minutes, or until firm.
- For the large wreath cut into wedges to serve, or let guests pull apart sections.
Notes
Tips for the Best Christmas Wreaths
- Grease your hands with butter or coconut oil to prevent sticking while shaping.
- Add a few drops of peppermint extract if you want a minty holiday flavor.
- To make the wreath extra glossy, drizzle a tiny bit of melted butter over the top once shaped.
- For a brighter green color use the green gel food coloring. I just like using liquid food coloring with no artificial colors, that is why my wreaths are not a pretty vibrant green!
- Let the pot used to mixed the rice krispie mixture soak in the sink with hot water. Just something I learned when It came time to clean the pot from this recipe. It will need to soak for a few minutes. 🙂
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Nutrition Information
Yield 16 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 247Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 4gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 15mgSodium 48mgCarbohydrates 45gFiber 3gSugar 1gProtein 4g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Why You’ll Love These Rice Krispie Wreaths
There are dozens of holiday desserts you can make in December, but this one stands out from the rest. Here’s why:
- It’s easy and foolproof. No baking, no chilling overnight—just melt, mix, and shape.
- Perfect for kids to help with. Little hands love adding the “berries,” shaping the wreath, or decorating with sprinkles.
- Feeds a crowd. This recipe makes a large wreath that slices beautifully into 12–16 pieces or 16 mini wreaths.
- Festive and beautiful. It looks like something from a holiday magazine but takes less than 30 minutes.
- Budget-friendly. Just a handful of affordable ingredients make a dessert big enough for your whole family or party.
- Great for potlucks. It travels easily and always disappears fast!
Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner or need something impressive for a festive gathering, this Rice Krispie wreath checks all the boxes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this gorgeous holiday wreath, you only need a few simple ingredients:
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 bags (10 oz each) mini marshmallows (20 oz total)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons green gel food coloring (adjust to your desired shade)
- 9 cups Rice Krispies cereal (Buy 1 box, you will use most of it with a little left over)
- ⅓ cup red cinnamon candies OR red mini M&Ms
- Optional: sprinkles, edible glitter, red cookie icing or red licorice strips for a bow
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Workspace
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
To help shape your large wreath, place a round bowl or small pot upside down in the center of the baking sheet.
For the mini wreaths: you can hand-shape mini wreaths by scooping a small handful of the warm Krispie mixture, forming it into a ball, and gently pressing a hole through the center with your fingers. Smooth and shape the edges until it looks like a little wreath.
TIP: Grease your hands with cooking spray!
2. Melt the Marshmallows
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
Add the marshmallows and stir continuously until smooth, thick, and fully melted.
Remove from heat and stir in your vanilla and green food coloring. Add more coloring as needed to reach a bright Christmas green.
3. Mix in the Cereal
Pour in the Rice Krispies and fold everything together quickly. The mixture will be warm, sticky, and evenly coated in green gooey marshmallow. This step requires fast work before the mixture begins to cool.
4. Shape Your Christmas Wreath
For the large wreath, scoop the mixture onto your prepared pan and shape it around the bowl in the middle.
Use your greased hands to press and mold it into an even round wreath, about 12–15 inches wide.
Once you’re happy with the shape, remove the bowl from the center and smooth out the inner edges
For the small wreaths, I spray a large serving spoon with cooking spray and scoop out the batter into piles on my tray. Then I go back and shape them into wreathes by using my thumb to poke a hole in the middle and shape the outside of the wreath. My son helps me with this part and he loves it!
5. Decorate!
While the wreath is still warm and slightly sticky, press red candies around the wreath to mimic holly berries. I like to use cookie icing to make the red berry decorations.
For extra holiday decoration, sprinkle on:
- Green or white sprinkles
- Red sanding sugar
- Edible glitter
- A big red licorice bow
Let your creativity shine!
6. Cool and Serve
Let the wreath or small wreaths rest for about 30 minutes, or until firm enough to slice cleanly.
Cut into wedges or let guests pull apart pieces with their hands. The small cookie size wreaths are nice and easy to serve!
Tips for Perfect Rice Krispie Wreaths
Want a wreath that slices perfectly and holds its shape all through your party? These tips help!
- Use fresh marshmallows– Older marshmallows melt thick and gummy, which makes the mixture harder to shape.
- Grease everything– Hands, spatulas, bowls, anything that touches the mixture benefits from a light layer of butter or spray. Use the unflavored cooking spray for this!
- Don’t overheat the butter– If butter browns even slightly, the mixture becomes firmer and less pliable.
- Use gel food coloring– Liquid food coloring does not give you a vibrant green color. Gel gives you bright holiday green instantly. I like to use liquid food coloring with no artificial dyes, as you can see from my pictures!
- Add peppermint extract– For a Christmas twist, add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract along with the vanilla.
- Shape quickly– Rice Krispie treats stiffen as they cool, so shape the wreath quickly after mixed and placed on the parchment paper.
How to Make It Ahead or Store It
Rice Krispie treats are best fresh, but this wreath stores surprisingly well.
- Room temperature: Store tightly wrapped for 2–3 days.
- Avoid the fridge: It dries out the cereal and makes the wreath hard. Ask me how I know!
- Make ahead: You can prepare the wreath the night before serving. Decorate right after shaping so everything sticks.
If taking to a party, let the wreath cool fully, then wrap gently in plastic wrap and transport on a sturdy tray.
FAQ: Rice Krispie Treat Wreaths
1. How do I keep my Rice Krispie wreath from getting too hard?
Be sure to melt the butter and marshmallows over low to medium-low heat. Overheating makes the mixture firm and dry. Fresh marshmallows also help keep the wreath soft and chewy.
2. Can I make this Rice Krispie wreath ahead of time?
Yes! You can make your wreath 1–2 days in advance. Store it tightly wrapped at room temperature. Avoid the refrigerator, it dries out the cereal and makes the wreath too hard to slice.
3. What can I use if I don’t have green food coloring?
You can skip the coloring altogether or use matcha powder, pistachio pudding mix, or even a little spinach powder for a natural green tint. The flavor is mild and doesn’t overpower the marshmallow.
4. How do I shape the wreath without it sticking to my hands?
Lightly grease your hands with butter, coconut oil, or cooking spray. You can also wear disposable gloves and grease those instead.
5. What can I use instead of cinnamon candies for the berries?
Red M&Ms, Skittles, mini gumdrops, or even small fondant pieces all work perfectly. Choose whatever fits your theme or what you already have on hand.
6. Can I add flavoring to the wreath?
Absolutely! Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract, almond extract, or orange extract. Just stir it in with the vanilla.
7. Can I make this wreath gluten-free?
Yes, simply use a gluten-free crispy rice cereal and check that your marshmallows and candies are gluten-free.
8. How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them soft, place a small slice of bread in the container, it helps maintain moisture.
9. Can kids help make this recipe?
Definitely! Kids can help stir (with adult supervision), shape the wreath, and add candies and sprinkles. It’s a fantastic holiday activity the whole family can enjoy.
10. Can I double the recipe to make an even larger wreath?
You can! Just use a very large tray or a round pizza pan and shape the mixture carefully so it doesn’t spread too thin. Allow a few extra minutes for cooling.
Comment, Share, & Pin!
This Large Rice Krispie Christmas Wreath is one of the easiest and most festive desserts you can make during the holidays. It’s nostalgic, kid-approved, and always the first treat to disappear from the table. Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner, attending a holiday party, or simply baking with your kids at home, this beautiful no-bake dessert brings instant holiday cheer! Enjoy and God Bless! 🎄
