Cherry Rice Krispies Treats Recipe

Alright, real talk—who doesn’t love a classic Rice Krispies treat? It’s gooey, crunchy, buttery perfection in a single bite. But what if I told you that you could take that nostalgic treat and give it a decadent, chocolate-covered cherry twist that’ll make your inner child do cartwheels? (Spoiler alert: You absolutely can, and I’m about to show you how.)

This Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats recipe is ridiculously easy, borderline addictive, and just fancy enough to impress your pickiest potluck friends. Plus, it requires zero baking—because who has time to preheat anything in August, right?

Let’s dive into the delicious chaos. 👇

Table of Contents

Why You Need These in Your Life

Let’s just say these aren’t your grandma’s cereal squares (no offense to Grandma). These babies bring that familiar marshmallow base, but we’re leveling it up with:

Maraschino cherries (hello, juicy bursts of sweetness)
Chocolate drizzle (because life’s too short to skip chocolate)
And a slight tang from cherry juice that balances out the sweet like a pro

Ever tried a chocolate covered cherry and thought, “This would be better in dessert bar form”? Yeah, same. That’s exactly what we’re making here.

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Ingredients for Cherry Rice Krispies Treats

Before we get messy (in the best way), here’s the ingredient checklist for this cherry-chocolate masterpiece:

🧾 For the Base:

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal (or the store-brand dupe—we don’t judge)
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
1/2 tsp almond extract (optional but trust me—chef’s kiss)
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries (drained and lightly patted dry)
1 tbsp cherry juice (reserved from the jar)

🍫 For the Topping:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp coconut oil (makes the chocolate glossy and smooth—don’t skip it!)

Pro tip: You can swap the semi-sweet chips for dark chocolate if you’re feeling extra dramatic. IMO, it works chef’s-kiss perfectly with the sweet cherries.

Step-by-Step Instructions (AKA: Let’s Make Magic)

Step 1: Prep Like a Pro

Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray. Or line it with parchment paper if you want easy lift-out action later (you do).

Also, drain and chop your cherries now so you’re not scrambling mid-stir with sticky fingers. Been there. Regret that.

Step 2: Melt Down That Marshmallow Gold

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Once it’s melted, stir in the mini marshmallows and keep stirring until everything’s melted and smooth. No lumps allowed.

Now stir in the almond extract and cherry juice. This is where things start to smell like something straight out of a candy shop. 😍

Step 3: Add Cereal + Cherries

Turn off the heat and quickly stir in the Rice Krispies until coated. Gently fold in the chopped cherries last. Don’t go full Hulk on it—we don’t want soggy treats.

Step 4: Press & Set

Transfer the mix to your prepped pan and press it down firmly using a buttered spatula or wax paper. You want a nice, even layer.

Now let it cool. I know, waiting is the worst, but give it 30–40 minutes to set before you go in with the chocolate. Trust the process. 🙃

Step 5: Chocolate Drizzle (a.k.a. the Moment of Truth)

Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.

Drizzle generously over the cooled treats using a spoon or a piping bag if you’re feeling fancy.

Let the chocolate cool and harden (pop it in the fridge if you’re impatient like me), then cut into bars and try not to inhale half the pan. No promises.

Flavor Breakdown: What to Expect

Texture? Still has that classic crispy-chewy vibe, but those juicy cherry bits make it pop in a whole new way.
Flavor? Sweet, slightly tart, super rich thanks to the chocolate—basically a flavor bomb.
Visuals? Gorgeous ruby red flecks, glossy chocolate drizzle… yeah, it looks as good as it tastes.

Ever had a dessert that made people ask, “Wait, you made this?” This is that dessert.

Variations & Add-Ons (Because Why Stop There?)

Want to customize your treats? You’ve got options. Here are a few fun twists to keep things interesting:

White chocolate drizzle instead of dark chocolate for a sweeter vibe
Add chopped almonds or pecans for crunch
Mix in a handful of mini chocolate chips before pressing into the pan (but cool the marshmallow mix slightly first so they don’t melt!)
Go boozy: Replace cherry juice with a splash of cherry liqueur (just don’t bring this version to the PTA meeting, lol)

FYI: The almond extract is optional, but IMO it makes the flavor way more elevated. Adds a marzipan-like undertone that just works.

Storage Tips: Keep ‘Em Fresh

Let’s say (miraculously) you have leftovers. Here’s how to store them:

Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Fridge: They’ll last up to a week, but they’ll be firmer. Bring to room temp before eating unless you like that fridge-chill snap.

Avoid freezing—they lose that lovely chewy-crispy texture, and that’s basically the whole point.

Perfect for Literally Any Occasion

These bars are insanely versatile. I’ve brought them to:

Birthday parties (they disappeared before the cake)
Holiday cookie swaps (yes, even in December—cherries are forever)
Picnics & BBQs
And, uh… Tuesday afternoons when life just needed a treat

Need a no-fail dessert for a crowd that doesn’t scream “I bought this at the store on the way here”? Boom. You’re welcome.

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Final Thoughts about Cherry Rice Krispies Treats

So, to wrap it up: If you’ve got a sweet tooth, a soft spot for nostalgia, and exactly 20 minutes of effort to spare, these Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats are your new best friend.

They’re:

Easy AF (no oven, minimal cleanup)
Ridiculously tasty
Pretty enough to show off, simple enough to not screw up

Give them a shot and thank me later—or better yet, send me a pic when you inevitably make a second batch. Because yeah… that’s happening. 😉

Now go grab those cherries and marshmallows. Let’s get sticky. 🍒✌️