Easy Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts Recipe
Delight in these Easy Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts, a fun and festive twist on the classic marshmallow and cereal treat. Infused with freeze-dried strawberry powder, these soft, fruity treats are perfect for any occasion, especially Valentine’s Day or a sweet snack anytime. Made with simple ingredients and no baking required, they’re easy to prepare and fun to shape into adorable hearts.
- Author: nova
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20-25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 heart-shaped treats (using a 3-inch heart cookie cutter) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Base Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 cups mini marshmallows, divided (save 1 cup for later)
- 1 oz bag freeze-dried strawberries, pulsed to a fine powder
- 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Lightly grease a large cookie sheet with shortening to prevent sticking, then set it aside for later use.
- Melt Butter: In a large pot over medium heat, melt the 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter until fully liquefied.
- Add Marshmallows and Melt: Add 7 cups of mini marshmallows (reserve 1 cup for later) to the melted butter, stirring continuously with a spatula until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth, about 1 minute.
- Add Strawberry Powder: Stir in the freeze-dried strawberry powder thoroughly to evenly distribute the strawberry flavor and pink hue throughout the marshmallow mixture.
- Combine with Cereal: Turn off the heat. Add 6 cups of Rice Krispie cereal to the pot, stirring gently but thoroughly to coat the cereal evenly with the strawberry-marshmallow mixture.
- Fold in Reserved Marshmallows: Toss in the reserved 1 cup of mini marshmallows and gently stir them in. These marshmallows will not melt completely and will create delightful little pockets of white marshmallow in the treats.
- Press the Mixture: Immediately transfer the mixture to the prepared cookie sheet. Using hands lightly greased with shortening, press the mixture down firmly and evenly to create a flat layer. Let it cool and set for 10-15 minutes to slightly firm up.
- Cut into Hearts: Once firm, carefully flip the sheet of rice krispie treats onto a piece of parchment paper. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts as close to each other as possible to minimize waste.
- Store and Enjoy: Enjoy immediately or store the heart-shaped treats in a large gallon Ziploc bag to keep them fresh and soft for several days.
Notes
- Using freeze-dried strawberries gives an intense strawberry flavor without adding extra moisture.
- Coating your hands with shortening makes pressing the mixture easier and prevents sticking.
- The reserved marshmallows add delightful texture by creating pockets of softness.
- Store treats in an airtight container or plastic bag to maintain freshness.
- Adjust the size of the heart cookie cutter to control the yield and size of each treat.
Keywords: Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats, heart-shaped treats, marshmallow treats, easy snack, no bake dessert, Valentine's Day treats, kids snacks