Independence Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie treats already know how to be the fun dessert at the table, and this red, white, and blue version just gives them party clothes.
They are buttery marshmallow cereal bars cut into rectangles, then striped with red, white, and blue candy melts and sprinkles.
No fork needed.
No fancy slice drama.
Just chewy bars with a crunchy little candy top, which is exactly the kind of dessert that makes sense at a 4th of July cookout.
Set these out with 4th of July Cupcakes, 4th of July Strawberry Lemonade, and Patriotic Charcuterie Board when you want a sweet tray that people can grab fast.
They also travel well, which matters when the dessert has to survive a car ride and one suspicious speed bump.
Worth the sticky fingers.
What Goes In The Pan
This is the classic marshmallow cereal treat setup with candy melts and sprinkles for the flag colors.
How To Make Independence Rice Krispie Treats
1. Melt the butter
Line a 9-by-13-inch pan with parchment, then melt the butter in a large pot over low heat.
2. Add the marshmallows
Add the mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
3. Mix in the cereal
Remove the pot from the heat and fold in the crispy rice cereal until every piece is coated in the marshmallow mixture.
4. Press and set
Press the mixture into the parchment lined pan, keeping the top even without smashing it down too hard.
5. Cut the bars
Once the slab is firm, lift it out of the pan and cut it into even rectangles.
6. Melt the candy colors
Melt the red, white, and blue candy melts in separate bowls so each color is ready for drizzling.
7. Drizzle the bars
Drizzle the bars with red candy first, then white, then blue, letting the lines run across the top.
Finish with blue drizzle and sprinkles while the coating is still wet.
Cutting Notes
Let the slab cool and set before slicing, because warm treats pull apart instead of cutting neatly.
A light touch when pressing the cereal into the pan keeps the bars chewy.
How To Store Them
Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Do not chill them unless your kitchen is very warm, because the fridge can make cereal treats taste firmer.
Where They Fit On The Table
These bars sit nicely beside cupcakes, popcorn, pretzels, fruit, and all the salty cookout stuff that needs a sweet finish.
They are easy to stack on a plate, which is nice when table space is already being claimed by chips.
A Few Questions
Can I make these the day before?
Yes, make them the day before and keep them sealed at room temperature.
Why are my bars hard?
The cereal mixture was probably pressed too firmly, so keep the pressure gentle next time.
Can I skip one candy color?
Yes, the treats still work if you use just two colors of drizzle.
Leftover Candy Melts
Use extra melted candy on pretzel rods, popcorn, cookies, or another batch of cereal bars.
Let any extra drizzle set before storing so it does not stick to everything around it.
Independence Rice Krispie Treats
These Independence Rice Krispie treats are chewy marshmallow cereal bars with red, white, and blue candy drizzle. They are an easy patriotic dessert for 4th of July parties, cookouts, and snack tables.
- Total Time1 hour 3 minutes
- Yield12 bars 1x
- DietVegetarian
Ingredients
- 6 cups crispy rice cereal.
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows.
- 4 tablespoons butter.
- 1/2 cup white candy melts.
- 1/2 cup red candy melts.
- 1/2 cup blue candy melts.
- 1/4 cup red, white, and blue sprinkles
Instructions
- Line a 9-by-13-inch pan with parchment.
- Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat.
- Add the marshmallows and stir until melted.
- Fold in the crispy rice cereal until coated.
- Press the mixture into the lined pan and let it set.
- Lift the slab out and cut it into bars.
- Melt the white, red, and blue candy melts in separate bowls.
- Drizzle the bars with red, white, and blue candy melts.
- Add sprinkles before the drizzle sets.
- Let the topping firm up before serving
Notes
Press the cereal mixture into the pan gently so the treats stay chewy instead of dense. Let the slab set before cutting so the bars hold clean edges. Add sprinkles while the candy drizzle is still wet so they stick to the top.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Set Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
