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These Snowman Rice Krispie Treats are dressing up in their colorful Christmas best, with candy eyes, orange tic tac noses, and peppermint ear muffs. These adorable Christmas Rice Krispies are delicious treats that easily double as a fun holiday activity everyone will enjoy!

A wooden tray filled with Christmas Snowmen Rice Krispie Treats.

These gooey marshmallow treats will transport you to a winter wonderland full of fluffy snowmen treats. Nice big, thick, and soft, just like the rice krispies treats you find at the bakery; your family will love it when you whip up a batch of these festive treats.

These are so much fun to make, and it’s always great to involve the kids in the kitchen holiday festivities. Plus, these treats are a perfect addition to any holiday dessert table or to share on your cookie exchange tray.

If you love these adorable sweets, check out these Reindeer Rice Krispies treats, Chocolate Cherry Mice, or any of our Grinch Treats

Ingredient Notes

Labeled ingredients needed to make snowman rice krispie treats.
  • Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness in your recipe. If using salted butter, omit the additional salt.
  • Mini Marshmallows (Divided): You’ll need mini marshmallows, some will be melted for the base, and the rest will be left whole for a pillowy bite. Make sure the marshmallows are fresh and in date. Otherwise, they won’t melt properly.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a depth of vanilla flavor to your treats.
  • Salt (or Salted Butter): A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor. If using salted butter, you can omit the additional salt.
  • Rice Krispies Cereal: The main ingredient that gives your treats their classic crispy texture.
  • Nonpareils: These colorful sugar sprinkles are a fun surprise and a colorful addition to your treats.
  • Ghirardelli White Chocolate Melting Wafers: Used to create a smooth and delicious white chocolate coating for your snowmen.
  • Black Sugar Pearls: These are for creating those coal eyes of the snowmen.
  • Orange Tic Tacs: These serve as the carrot noses of your snowmen.
  • Peppermint Candies: These are used to make adorable earmuffs for your snowmen
  • Red Candy Melts: Used to create festive scarves for your snowmen.

Variations and Substitutions

  • Optional Hat: Dip the top of the snowman in dark chocolate or dark chocolate melts for a snowman tophat.
  • Scarf Options: Change the color of the scarf with other color candy melts or use Pull and Peel Twizzlers for the scarf. Just be sure to place them on when the white chocolate is still wet.
  • Black Pear (Eye, Mouth, & Button Options): If you want an alternative, you can substitute black icing gel or even mini chocolate morsels.
  • Mini Pretzel Arms: Attach mini pretzel sticks as arms to your snowmen for a salty-sweet combination.
  • Ear Muff Options: Anything round or similar in shape will work- like life savers gummies, candy gumdrops, butterscotch candies, or cinnamon rounds.
  • Optional Add-Ins: Substitute nonpareil sprinkles with mini M&Ms to make mini M&M Snowmen for a burst of color and chocolate in the decorations. You could also use crushed candy canes, mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even crushed pretzels. So may options here. Like chopped candy bars or crushed Oreos.
  • Premade Rice Krispies: Make a no-bake version using pre-made Rice Krispies treats. Just decorate them as snowmen without making the base from scratch.

How To Make Snowman Rice Krispies Treats

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 | Prepare and melt butter

To make these adorable Snowman Rice Krispies Treats, start by lining a baking tray with parchment paper.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, being careful not to overheat it. Remember to set aside 2 cups of mini marshmallows for later.

Melting butter in a large pot and adding in mini marshmallows.

Step 2 | Melt marshmallows

Then, in the same pot, combine the remaining marshmallows and gently melt them with the butter over low heat, stirring occasionally until fully melted.

Once melted, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.

Adding vanilla and salt to melted marshmallows in a pot.

Step 3 | Add Rice Krispies Cereal, Marshmallows, and Sprinkles to the Mixture

Pour in the rice krispies cereal and fold it into the marshmallow mixture.

Add in the reserved 2 cups of marshmallows and nonpareil sprinkles, continuing to fold until everything is evenly distributed.

Be quick, as the marshmallows may start to melt, and the color from the sprinkles will bleed.

Adding rice krispie cereal to the pot, stirring and then adding mini marshmallows and nonpareils.

Step 4 | Form in Pan, Let Set, & Cut

Spread the rice krispies mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan and gently press it down using a rubber spatula or even the butter side of the paper the butter came in.

Adding rice krispie mixture to a parchment lined 9 X 13 pan to set

Allow it to cool on the countertop for 30-45 minutes until it becomes firm, then cut it into bars about 3 inches long and 2 ½ inches wide. A ruler can be handy for achieving straight lines.

A tray of cut rice krispie treats.

Step 5 | Melt the chocolate, Dip Bars, and decorate

Now, for the fun part – decorating your snowmen! Melt the Ghirardelli white chocolate wafers until they’re smooth, using a double boiler, candy melting pot, or following the microwave instructions on the package.

Take each rice krispie treat bar and dip it into the melted chocolate, coating the top. Place it on a baking tray with the chocolate-covered side facing upward.

While the white chocolate is still wet, add two black sugar pearls at the upper half for eyes and an orange tic tac below for the nose.

Continue by adding more sugar pearls for the mouth and a few extra on the bottom half for buttons.

A tray of rice krispie treat adding black pearls and tick tacs to make snowman face.

Repeat these steps for the remaining bars.

Repeating adding face and buttons to each bar.

Step 6 | Melt Red Candy Melts, Pipe Scarf & Let Set

Now, let’s add the festive red scarf by melting the red candy melts. Place them in a piping bag, twist to seal, and microwave on the defrost setting in 30-second bursts. Knead the bag between each interval and continue until the candy is melted.

Then, let the candy cool for a few minutes. Cut a small piece of the tip of the piping bag and pipe the scarves onto your reindeer. After the red scarves harden (about 15 minutes), the yummy treats are ready to fill your Jolly Happy Soul!

Melted red candy melts in a pipping bag and then adding a scarf to the bottom of the snowman rice krispie treats.

Dig in and enjoy your adorable Snowmen Rice Krispie treats!

A cute snowman rice krispie treat decorated with black pearl candies, a tick tac nose, and peppermint ear muffs.

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Tips

  • Low and Slow Melting: When melting the butter and marshmallows, use low heat and stir frequently to prevent scorching and achieve a smooth mixture.
  • Press Firmly: When spreading the mixture into the pan, press it down firmly but not too hard. This ensures the treats hold their shape without being overly dense.
  • Dipping Temperature: When dipping the treats in white chocolate, make sure the chocolate is not too hot, as it can cause the treats to melt. Allow it to cool slightly if necessary.

Recipe FAQs

How do I prevent the rice krispie mixture from sticking to my hands when pressing it into the pan?

You can lightly butter your hands or use a sheet of parchment paper to press down the mixture without sticking. I mostly just use the buttered side of the paper that wraps around my stick of butter. It’s already prepared and ready to go.

Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?

Yes, you can. However, mini marshmallows melt more evenly and quickly and are often preferred for Rice Krispies Treats. Plus, using some whole, unmelted mini marshmallows makes the rice krispies amazing.

How can I avoid the white chocolate from melting when I decorate the snowmen?

Allow the Rice Krispies treats to cool completely before dipping them in white chocolate. This will help prevent the chocolate from melting.

A snowman rice krispies treat standing up with Christmas decor in the background.

Storage

Storage: These rice krispie treats are best eaten the same day, but can be stored for 2- 3 days. Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store at room temperature.

What to Serve with Frosty the Snowman Rice Krispies

Snowman Rice Krispies Treats can be a delightful addition to your holiday dessert table or as a fun treat for a winter gathering. Serve them with your favorite Peppermint Hot Cocoa, or a Biscoff Cookie Butter Latte.

More Christmas Holiday Treats

Two stacked snowmen rice krispies with snowman holiday decor in the background.

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A snowman decorated rice krispie treat set on festive white and red napkins.
Recipe
5 from 6 votes

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Snowman Rice Krispies Treats

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Set Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 15 bars
Author: Nikki Lee
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These Snowman Rice Krispie Treats are dressing up in their colorful Christmas best, with candy eyes, orange tic tac noses, and peppermint ear muffs. These adorable Christmas Rice Krispies are delicious treats that easily double as a fun holiday activity everyone will enjoy!

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 1 stick butter, (½ cup), unsalted
  • 16 ounces mini marshmallows, divided
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, (or you can use salted butter and omit)
  • 8 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • ¼ cup nonpareils
  • 10 ounce Ghirardelli white chocolate melting wafers
  • 30 black sugar pearls, for the eyes
  • 15 orange tick tacs, for the nose
  • 30 peppermint candies, for the ear muffs
  • ½ cup red candy melts, for the scarf

Instructions

Make Rice Krispie Bars

  • Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set it aside.
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, being careful not to overheat it.
  • Reserve 2 cups of mini marshmallows to add in later. Then, combine the remaining marshmallows in the pot and gently melt them with the butter on low heat. Stirring occasionally until fully melted.
  • After melting, remove the pot from the heat. Add in the vanilla extract and salt.
  • Pour in the rice krispies cereal and fold into the marshmallow mixture.
  • Pour in the rice krispies cereal and gently fold. Add in two cups of marshmallows (that were set aside) along with the nonpareil sprinkles. Continue folding until they are evenly distributed and coated throughout. Work quickly as the marshmallows may start to melt and the color from the sprinkles will bleed.
  • Spread the rice krispies mixture evenly in the baking pan and gently press it in the baking pan. You can use a rubber spatula or the butter side of the paper the butter came in works well, also.
  • Let it rest on the countertop for 30-45 minutes until it cools completely and becomes firm. Then cut into bars, about 3 inches long and 2 ½” inches wide. You can use a ruler to help cut them into straight lines.

Decorate Snowman

  • Melt the Ghirardelli white chocolate wafers until they become smooth by using either a double boiler on low heat, a candy melting pot, or package microwave instructions.
  • Take a single rice krispie treat bar and dip it into the melts, just enough to coat the top. Place it on the prepared baking tray with the chocolate-covered side facing upward.
  • While the white chocolate is still wet, place two black sugar pearls at the upper half of the snowman to create eyes. Add an orange tic tac below that for the nose. Then add more sugar pearls below for the mouth and a few extra black sugar pearls on the bottom half for the buttons. Repeat these steps for the remaining bars.
  • Place ⅓ cup of red candy melts inside a piping bag, twist it shut, and microwave it on a low or defrost setting in 30-second intervals until melted. Remember to knead the bag at each interval to ensure uniform heating.
  • Let the melted mixture cool for a few minutes before cutting a smamll portion of the piping bag's tip and then proceed to pipe the scarves. If the mixture is too hot, it will flow out too quickly
  • Allow the rice krispie treat snowmen to sit for 15 minutes to set. Enjoy

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Nutrition Information

Serving: 1bar Calories: 266kcal (13%) Carbohydrates: 44g (15%) Protein: 2g (4%) Fat: 10g (15%) Saturated Fat: 7g (44%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 16mg (5%) Sodium: 202mg (9%) Potassium: 22mg (1%) Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 26g (29%) Vitamin A: 1182IU (24%) Vitamin C: 9mg (11%) Calcium: 4mg Iron: 5mg (28%)

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

©️Soulfully Made

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Nikki Lee author of Soulfully Made in the kitchen serving cupcakes.

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Nikki Lee. Here at Soulfully Made you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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9 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Whether enjoyed by kids or adults, these Snowman Rice Krispies Treats bring smiles and festive cheer to any occasion. A whimsical and delightful addition to the holiday dessert table, these treats are as fun to make as they are to eat. A true embodiment of the joy of the season!

    Reply

  2. 5 stars
    I adore how cute these little snowmen are, and homemade rice krispies treats are far superior to the store bought in my opinion. Very excited to make a batch of these to serve for the holidays!

    Reply

  3. 5 stars
    These snowman Rice Krispie treats are adorable and fun to make! What a creative way to spice up a holiday gathering. I think Santa might even rather have one of these than a cookie!

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    How adorable are these rice krispies snow man treats! I have a child allergic to egg so I was looking for egg-free X-mas treats. We will definitely be making these!

    Reply