The tradition of making chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats began in our home one Valentine’s Day when an unexpected snowstorm left us housebound. My children, disappointed about missing their school parties, gathered around our Kentucky kitchen island with hopeful eyes. “Can we make something special even though we’re stuck at home?” my daughter asked, twirling her heart-adorned pajama tassel.
Surveying our pantry, I spotted the classic blue box of Rice Krispies, a bag of marshmallows, and – hiding in the back – a jar of maraschino cherries left over from holiday baking. My grandmother’s voice echoed in my head: “Sometimes the best recipes come from making do with what you have.” That snowy afternoon, as red cherry juice stained our fingers and chocolate coated every available spoon, a new family tradition was born.
Now these chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats appear each February in our home, reminding us that sometimes the most cherished traditions emerge from unexpected circumstances. My husband calls them “snowstorm serendipity squares,” while my children simply request “those pink and chocolate treats that make everything better.”
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Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats
These festive treats have become a Valentine’s Day staple in our home for good reason. Here’s why they’ll earn a special place in your recipe collection too:
- Perfect texture contrast: Crispy cereal, gooey marshmallow, and smooth chocolate topping
- Visual delight: The vibrant red cherries create a beautiful pop of color
- Simple preparation: No baking required, just melting and mixing
- Kid-friendly process: Little hands can help with nearly every step
- Make-ahead friendly: Can be prepared a day in advance for parties
- Festive appearance: Naturally Valentine-themed without special decorating skills
For more no-bake treats perfect for holidays and celebrations, visit our No-Bake & Quick Treats: Effortless Sweet Indulgences collection, which offers additional inspiration for easy, impressive desserts.
If you enjoy festive themed treats, you might also love our Easter Dirt Cake Casserole or our Strawberry Kiss Cookies for more holiday-perfect sweets.
Simple Ingredients for Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats
Show Image Simple ingredients combine to create these festive chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats – a gooey, chocolatey delight ready in just 30 minutes!
For these festive chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats, you’ll need:
For the treats:
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal (or any crispy rice cereal)
- 1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup maraschino cherries, drained well and chopped
- 2-3 drops red food coloring (optional, for enhanced pink color)
For the topping:
- 1½ cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup white chocolate chips for drizzling
My grandmother always said that simple ingredients create the most joy when combined with love and creativity. These treats perfectly embody that philosophy – basic pantry staples transformed into something festive and special that brings smiles with every sticky bite.
For more creative Rice Krispies treat variations, explore our comprehensive Homemade Dessert Recipes: Sweet Treats for Everyday Joy guide or try our Pineapple Pretzel Salad for another sweet, fruity treat.
Easy Step-by-Step Preparation
- Prepare your pan by lining a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly spraying with cooking spray. The parchment creates handles for easy removal – a trick my mother taught me after one too many desserts stuck firmly to the pan.
- Measure the cereal into a large bowl and set aside. Having this ready prevents the frantic measuring that led to many spilled cereal disasters in my early cooking days.
- Drain and chop the maraschino cherries, then place them on paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Pat gently to dry further. This step, which my daughter calls “cherry babysitting,” is crucial to prevent soggy treats.
- In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter completely. My son always watches this step carefully, fascinated by the transformation from solid to liquid gold.
- Add mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth. This is when the kitchen fills with that distinctive sweet aroma that draws my children like a magnet.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in vanilla extract and food coloring if using. The optional food coloring amplifies the Valentine’s theme, turning the marshmallow mixture a delicate pink that my daughters find irresistible.
- Fold in the chopped cherries, distributing them evenly throughout the marshmallow mixture. My youngest loves counting the cherries to ensure “fairness in every bite.”
- Add the Rice Krispies cereal and fold gently until completely coated. Work quickly but carefully to prevent the mixture from cooling and hardening before it’s properly mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan and press down gently with slightly damp hands or a piece of parchment paper. Too much pressure creates dense treats, while too little leaves them crumbly – a balance my children have perfected over many batches.
- For the chocolate topping, melt chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Pour over the Rice Krispies treats and spread into an even layer.
- Melt white chocolate chips in the same manner, then drizzle over the chocolate layer. My daughter creates patterns with the white chocolate – hearts for Valentine’s Day, zigzags for everyday treats.
- Allow the treats to cool completely before cutting into squares. For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate for 30 minutes after the chocolate has set at room temperature.
The entire process takes about 30 minutes of active time, plus cooling, making these chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats perfect for last-minute celebrations or afternoon activities with eager little helpers.
My Best Tips for Perfect Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats
Through many festive batches of these beloved treats, I’ve gathered several tips that ensure success:
For the most vibrant cherry flavor: Choose high-quality maraschino cherries and drain them thoroughly. I place them between paper towels and gently press to remove excess moisture, which prevents the dreaded soggy spots in the finished treats.
For the perfect texture: Use fresh marshmallows. The bag that’s been open in your pantry for months will work in a pinch, but fresh ones create that perfect gooey, stretchy texture that makes these treats irresistible. I learned this lesson after one disappointing batch made with aged marshmallows.
For more holiday-worthy treats, check our Special Occasion Desserts: Celebration Sweets collection or try our Chocolate Lasagna Recipe for another impressive but easy dessert.
Answers to Your Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treat Questions
Q: Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino? Fresh cherries won’t provide the same vibrant color or concentrated flavor. If you prefer natural ingredients, try dried cherries that have been soaked in hot water for 10 minutes, then drained and chopped. My sister makes this substitution for her more health-conscious family gatherings.
Q: How do I store these treats? Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. For longer storage, these treats freeze beautifully for up to 3 months – a discovery I made when preparing ahead for my daughter’s birthday.
For more family-friendly desserts, try our Subway Footlong Cookie or explore our Cake & Sweet Bread Delights: Simple Baking Projects for more sweet inspiration.
Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats: Sweet Memories in Every Bite
What began as a snowbound Valentine’s Day solution has become one of our family’s most treasured traditions. These treats, with their festive colors and familiar flavors elevated by unexpected cherries, remind us that love and creativity can transform even the simplest ingredients into something special.
Last Valentine’s Day, my now-teenage daughter asked if she could take over the tradition of making these treats. As I watched her carefully chop cherries and patiently melt chocolate, I saw more than a recipe being followed – I witnessed the passing of tradition from one generation to the next.
My grandmother often said that the recipes most worth keeping are those that tell our family’s story. These chocolate covered cherry Rice Krispies treats tell ours – of snowstorms turned to opportunities, of making do with what we have, and of finding ways to celebrate love even when plans change unexpectedly.
I hope these treats bring as much joy to your kitchen as they have to mine. May they create sweet moments of connection, whether for Valentine’s Day or any occasion that calls for a touch of pink, chocolatey sweetness.
With warmth, Sophia
Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal (or any crispy rice cereal)
- 1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup maraschino cherries, drained well and chopped
- 2-3 drops red food coloring (optional)
- 1½ cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup white chocolate chips for drizzling
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
- Drain and chop the maraschino cherries, then place them on paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Pat gently to dry further.
- In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter completely.
- Add mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in vanilla extract and food coloring if using.
- Fold in the chopped cherries, distributing them evenly throughout the marshmallow mixture.
- Add the Rice Krispies cereal and fold gently until completely coated.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan and press down gently with slightly damp hands or a piece of parchment paper.
- For the chocolate topping, melt chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth. Pour over the Rice Krispies treats and spread into an even layer.
- Melt white chocolate chips in the same manner, then drizzle over the chocolate layer.
- Allow the treats to cool completely before cutting into squares. For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate for 30 minutes after the chocolate has set at room temperature