These Conversation Heart Rice Krispie Treats are easy and fun to make. They are the perfect little dessert for Valentine's Day. Nothing says I love you like a homemade treat for your sweetheart.
Jump to:
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this Conversation Heart Rice Krispie Treat Recipe because not only is it unique, but it's a fun way to show someone how much you care by making a homemade treat like my Instant Pot Strawberry Cheesecake. Using a simple heart-shaped cookie cuter, you can show how much you care about someone in the kitchen.
I also love the creativity. you can put into these treats. Just by adding a few festive sprinkles or some candy coating and letters, you can create the nostalgic candy in a larger and delicious form.
You can probably count on more Rice Krispie treat variations for other holidays just like my Santa Hat Rice Krispie Treats, Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats, or Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats for Halloween. They are just too fun to pass up and make each holiday a little more festive.
How to Make Conversation Heart Rice Krispie Treats
Step 1: Spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray. Melt butter in a pot over medium heat, stir in marshmallows until melted, then mix in red food coloring and almond extract.
Remove from heat, stir in rice cereal, press into the pan, and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
Step 2: Turn the pan with the pressed rice cereal treats over onto a cutting board. Take your heart-shaped cookie cutter and cut out as many hearts as you can.
Step 3: Melt the candy coating using a double boiler or in the microwave. Once the coating is melted, add the vegetable oil and stir it in. Separate the coating into separate small bowls. Add the food coloring to each one and stir to combine.
Step 4: Using a small spoon, spread a layer of the coating on top of each heart. Place the hearts on a piece of wax paper to catch any drips. Working quickly, add sprinkles to the top of the heart while the coating is still soft.
How to Write on These Treats
This is the cookie letter stamp I had to create the messages on the hearts. You can also get just the letters as shown below. They can be used for so many fun projects!
Different Types of Candy Coating
For this project, I used candy coating, which is also sometimes called almond bark (it does not contain almonds). It usually comes in a brick form and can be found at most grocery stores. There are also candy melts or wafers that are small discs and available in different flavors and colors.
Another option is white chocolate chips. They have a similar taste and consistency and will work just the same. You can usually find these products in the baking section at the grocery store, at craft stores, or online.
Expert Tips for Making Heart-Shaped Rice Krispie Treats
- No matter what, have fun with these treats. They may not turn out perfect, mine had a few cracks and folds, but they were still delicious and everyone loved them.
- I added a touch of almond extract to my cereal treats for a special twist on the original recipe. This is completely optional.
- Spray your hands with a little non-stick spray before you press the cereal treats into your pan. This will keep it from sticking and make it so much easier.
- Whatever you do, don't get water in your melted candy coating! It will immediately seize and you can't really save it. Trust me, been there, done that.
- You have to work fast once you coat the rice krispie treats because you need the candy coating to still be soft, but not too soft, to emboss the letters. This takes a little patience and practice but after a few tries, you will get the hang of it.
- Or, just skip the letters and use sprinkles. Everyone loves sprinkles!
More Valentine Recipes to Check Out
If you get a chance to make these Rice Krispie Conversation Hearts, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes right in your inbox.
Rice Krispie Conversation Hearts
Equipment
- heart-shaped cookie cutter
- small bowls
- double boiler setup or microwave-safe bowl
Ingredients
Rice Cereal Treats
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 6 cups rice cereal
- 4 cups marshmallows
- red gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 12 ounces candy coating/almond bark
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or coconut oil
- pink, purple and blue food coloring
Instructions
Rice Cereal Treats
- Prepare a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until fully melted in the butter. Stir in the red food coloring and almond extract.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the rice cereal. Add to the prepared dish and press into the pan as much as you can. Place the pan in the fridge for 10 minutes to cool.
- Turn the pan with the pressed rice cereal treats over onto a cutting board. Take your heart-shaped cookie cutter and cut out as many hearts as you can ( I was able to get 18 hearts).
- There are 2 ways to melt the candy coating and both work great. The first way is to use a double boiler and slowly melt the chocolate. I have a nifty silicon double boiler bowl that I used, or you can use a glass bowl that fits on top of a saucepan without touching the water. The second way to melt the candy coating is in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Start with 1 minute and then move to 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the coating is fully melted. Once the coating has melted, add the vegetable oil and stir in. This helps to slightly thin out the coating for easier application.
- Depending on how many colors you are making, separate the coating into individual small bowls. Add the food coloring to each bowl and stir to combine. Using a small spoon, spread a layer of the coating on top of each heart. Place the hearts on a piece of wax paper to catch any drips.
- Working quickly, add sprinkles to the top of the heart while the coating is still soft. To create messages, wait for the coating to cool slightly, then press the letters into the top. Don't worry about being perfect, just have fun with it!
Notes
- No matter what, have fun with these treats. They may not turn out perfect, mine had a few cracks and folds, but they were still delicious and everyone loved them.
- I added a touch of almond extract to my cereal treats for a special twist on the original recipe. This is completely optional.
- Spray your hands with a little non-stick spray before you press the cereal treats into your pan. This will keep it from sticking and make it so much easier.
- Whatever you do, don't get water in your melted candy coating! It will immediately seize and you can't really save it. Trust me, been there, done that.
- You have to work fast once you coat the rice krispie treats because you need the candy coating to still be soft, but not too soft, to emboss the letters. This takes a little patience and practice but after a few tries, you will get the hang of it.
- Or, just skip the letters and use sprinkles. Everyone loves sprinkles
- These treats can be stored in an air-tight container for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Jessie says
These rice crispy treats are so adorable and the perfect Valentine’s Day treat for the kids!
Emily says
Thanks, Jessie!
Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady says
OMG these are super cute! Something to make next year when I'm able to get back into my cafeteria 🙂
Emily says
Yes, they are so fun!
Gabriela says
These are so stinking CUTE I wouldn't let anyone touch them if I made them. I love the vibrant colors and all the flavors in them and the best part the heart shaped sprinkled. What a treat.
Emily says
I reluctantly shared with my family...LOL! Just kidding, but thank you!! All my treats are fair game in my house AFTER I take photos. 🙂
Jennifer | KITJEN says
These are the cutest Rice Krispie treats! Perfect for Valentine's Day.
Emily says
Thanks, Jennifer!! They are so fun to make...and to eat!
Audrey says
These are so cute and easy!!!
Emily says
Thank you, Audrey!
Michelle @ Taste As You Go says
How fun! These look like the perfect Valentine's Day treat to make with my kids -- they'll love these!
Emily says
That seems to be the consensus, and I can tell you from experience, it's totally worth it and the kids will have so much fun!
Jess says
These are so fun! My kids will love helping me make them to celebrate the day of love!
Emily says
My son loved making these, have fun!
Sara Welch says
Such a fun and unique way to enjoy rice crispy treats and perfect for Valentine's Day! Looking forward to making these with my kids, indeed!
Emily says
It's the perfect way to celebrate with kids!
Dannii says
These are super cute. I am going to make these with my kids for Valentine's Day.
Emily says
Kids love these treats! Have fun!
Wanda says
What a great idea for a Valentine's Day lunch or party! Pinning so we can try this recipe!
Emily says
They are so fun, I hope you enjoy them!
Jenn says
These are just the cutest thing ever! My kids love Rice Krispie treats and I'm so glad to see that I can make them a fun treat for Valentine's Day! Love the colors!
Emily says
Thanks, Jenn! These are definitely kid-approved!