Santa Hat Rice Krispie Treats are easy to make and fun to eat! Kids and adults will love these old-school treats with a fun holiday twist. Make these for your next Christmas party or holiday celebration!
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Why I Love This Recipe
I love this Santa Hat Rice Krispie recipe because it combines the classic childhood treat with the festive and creative holiday spirit just like my Shamrock Rice Krispie Treats and my Frankenstein Rice Krispie Treats. The whimsical Santa hat design and the sweet, crispy texture create a delightful treat that brings smiles to both kids and adults alike.
Key Ingredients For This Recipe
- Butter, Puffed Rice Cereal, and Marshmallows: These are the basic ingredients to make standard rice krispie treats. You can use salted or unsalted butter and large or mini marshmallows.
- Butter, Shortening, Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract, Salt, and Powdered Sugar: These are the ingredients to make a thick buttercream frosting for these treats. The shortening is optional but creates a thicker and more sturdy frosting.
- Red Gel Food Coloring: Red gel food coloring is used to tint the frosting. Gel food coloring is highly concentrated and will create the best red color.
- White Fondant: White fondant is used to create the white trim on the Santa hats.
- Clear Sparkly Sprinkles: Clear sparkly sprinkles are used for decoration to add a festive touch and a bit of shimmer to the Santa hats. These are optional.
*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Santa Hat Treats
Step 1: Make some classic rice cereal treats and press them into a 9x13 pan so they are nice and compact.
Step 2: Once cool, cut into even-sized triangles.
Step 3: Make the red buttercream frosting and frost each triangle with a thick layer.
Step 4: Make the red buttercream frosting and frost each triangle with a thick layer. Dip each mini marshmallow in water, shake off excess, and then roll around in a small bowl of sprinkles. Place the marshmallow at the top of the triangle.
Step 5: Roll out the fondant to ⅛" thickness. Cut strips of the fondant to fit the bottom of the triangle, about ½" wide. Take the strip of fondant and swipe the top with water using your finger. Dip the wet side into the sprinkles and then place on top of the frosted triangle.
Step 6: Take the strip of fondant and swipe the top with water using your finger. Dip the wet side into the sprinkles and then place on top of the frosted triangle.
How to Make Thick Buttercream Frosting
Place the butter and shortening in a stand mixer or mixing bowl and cream on medium speed. Add the vanilla and salt and continue mixing.
Begin to add confectioners sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until combined then med-high speed for a minute or so each time. After each cup addition, add a tablespoon of water to get your desired consistency. Add the red gel food coloring and fully incorporate it.
Expert Tips for This Recipe
- To get a nice pressed rice cereal treat, spray your hands with non-stick spray before pressing them into the pan.
- If you don't have fondant, you can also use white frosting or line up some mini marshmallows for the hat trim.
- The thick buttercream frosting is the easiest to work with when cold.
- The crystal sprinkles stick well with just water! If you don't have the sprinkles these treats still look great without them.
Recipe FAQs
Although Rice Krispies are the traditional choice, you can use other cereals like Chex Mix, Corn Flakes, or Lucky Charms. Keep in mind that different cereals may result in a slightly different flavor and texture.
Yes, you can use pre-made frosting. You may be lucky and find red frosting or buy white frosting and color it yourself.
Ensure you quickly place the marshmallow right after frosting the treats so that the marshmallow sticks. If the frosting has already started to form a crust, dab a very small amount of fresh frosting on the back of the marshmallow before attaching it.
If you used large marshmallows for your treats and don't have mini marshmallows, you can use a large marshmallow that has been cut to size, fondant, or white frosting for the hat pom pom.
Store any leftover treats in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Buttercream frosting can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days before use.
If you have leftover frosting, you can freeze it in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
More Fun Christmas Recipes
If you get a chance to make these Santa Hat Rice Krispie Treats, 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 in your inbox.
Santa Hat Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- large pot
- small bowls
- large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl
Ingredients
Rice Cereal Treats
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 6 cups rice cereal
- 4 cups marshmallows
Thick Buttercream Frosting
- ¼ cup unsalted butter room temp
- ¾ cup shortening
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 4 cups confectioners powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons water room temp
- red gel food coloring
Decorations
- 10 mini marshmallows
- clear sparkly sprinkles
- ¼ cup white fondant
Instructions
Rice Cereal Treats
- Prepare a 9/13 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.
- 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. Allow the treats to cool in the pan.
Thick Buttercream Frosting
- Place the butter and shortening in a stand mixer or mixing bowl and cream together on medium speed. Add the vanilla and salt and continue mixing.
- Begin to add confectioners sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until combined then med-high speed for a minute or so each time. After each cup addition, add a tablespoon of water to get your desired consistency. Add the red gel food coloring and fully incorporate it.
Santa Hat Assembly
- Turn the pan with the pressed rice cereal treats over onto a cutting board. Cut off the edges with a sharp knife and then cut into equal triangles.
- Frost each triangle with a thick layer of red buttercream frosting. Place the frosted triangles in the fridge for 10 minutes to the set frosting.
- Dip each mini marshmallow in water, shake off excess and then roll around in a small bowl of sprinkles. Place the marshmallow at the top of the triangle.
- Roll out the fondant to ⅛" thickness. Cut strips of the fondant to fit the bottom of the triangle, about ½" wide.
- Take the strip of fondant and swipe the top with water using your finger. Dip the wet side into the sprinkles and then place on top of the frosted triangle.
Notes
- To get a nice pressed rice cereal treat, spray your hands with non-stick spray before pressing them into the pan.
- If you don't have fondant, you can also use white frosting or line up some mini marshmallows for the hat trim.
- The thick buttercream frosting is the easiest to work with when cold.
- The crystal sprinkles stick well with just water! If you don't have the sprinkles these treats still look great without them.
- Buttercream frosting can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days before using.
- If you have leftover frosting, you can freeze it in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Casey says
Love this festive twist on rice crispies!
Emily says
Thanks, Casey, and they are SO easy!!
Christina's Bread Bakes says
So easy and so cute! I also made some Christmas trees out of the triangles, hats & trees, perfect for the holiday!
Emily says
So smart, love that idea!!
Ana Ankeny says
Oh, my goodness how cute are these?! My boys would love these for Christmas...thank you for sharing this easy and fun recipe!
Emily says
You are welcome, your boys are going to love them for sure!
Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady says
These are so cute and fun! My kids would enjoy these so much! Such a great idea 🙂
Emily says
Yes, my son had a lot of fun with these. Thanks, Cindy!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
Every year I make gingerbread. Not this time! Another great idea I'm adding to my baking list for Christmas! Thanks!:))
Emily says
I would recommend both...LOL. Have fun!
Alyssa Hixenbaugh says
Rice crispies are such a classic treat but I love the idea of making them festive! These Santa hats are so cute and fun!
Emily says
They really are a classic, might as well make what you like!
Leah says
This is so fun! I’ve never actually made my own Rice Krispie treats before, idk why because they taste so good and are easy to make!
Emily says
Oh my, you HAVE to make them!! Although once you start you may never stop...lol!
Leah says
That’s a risk I’m willing to take! 😂
Sue says
Super cute Santa hat krispie treats! The sparkly sprinkles really give them something extra!!
Emily says
Thanks, Sue. I love anything that sparkles!
Ann says
Such a fun treat! Will try it out for sure👌👌