If you’re looking for a fun, festive, and oh-so-sweet treat to make this Valentine’s Day, these Easy Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts are your new best friend. They’re just like the classic Rice Krispie treats we all know and love, but with a pink twist that’s perfect for the holiday. Imagine the gooey marshmallow goodness, with the subtle sweet flavor of strawberry, all molded into cute heart shapes—talk about a treat that’ll melt hearts! Plus, they’re ridiculously easy to make, so you can whip them up in no time for a sweet surprise.
Why You’ll Love Easy Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts
Quick & Simple
This is one of those no-fuss recipes that anyone can master. With just a few ingredients, you can have a batch of Valentine’s Day-themed treats ready in 20 minutes or less!
Perfect for Gifting
Whether you’re packing them up for a Valentine’s gift or using them as a sweet addition to a party spread, these treats are perfect for sharing.
Customizable
Add sprinkles, drizzle with chocolate, or even dip them in your favorite candy coating—these treats are a blank canvas for your creativity.
Kid-Friendly
These Strawberry Rice Krispie treats are perfect for little hands to help with. It’s a fun, hands-on recipe that kids will love to make and devour!
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats:
- Butter: Helps create the classic crispy, buttery texture that makes these treats irresistible.
- Mini Marshmallows: The gooey goodness that holds everything together. You can’t make Rice Krispie treats without them!
- Strawberry Jello Powder: Adds that gorgeous pink color and a sweet, fruity flavor that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.
- Rice Krispies Cereal: The star of the show. This crunchy cereal gives the treats their signature texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the marshmallows and adds a nice, warm touch.
For Decoration (Optional):
- Sprinkles: Choose pink, red, or white to match the Valentine’s theme.
- White Chocolate or Milk Chocolate: Drizzle over the top or dip the hearts for an extra sweet touch.
- Candy Hearts: These little candies make the perfect cute topper for your Rice Krispie hearts.
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card below.)
Instructions
Make the Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats:
- Melt the Butter and Marshmallows: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in the mini marshmallows and stir until they are completely melted and smooth.
- Add the Jello Powder: Stir in the strawberry Jello powder and vanilla extract. This will give the treats that pretty pink color and a subtle strawberry flavor.
- Combine with Rice Krispies: Remove the pan from heat and fold in the Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until everything is well-coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Shape the Treats: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Press it down firmly with a spatula to make sure it’s evenly spread out.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the treats to cool for about 15 minutes, then use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut them into hearts.
Decorate:
- Drizzle with Chocolate (Optional): Melt some white or milk chocolate and drizzle it over the top of the heart-shaped treats. You can also dip them in chocolate for a more decadent treat.
- Sprinkle with Fun Toppings: Add some sprinkles, candy hearts, or anything else you like to make them even more festive and fun.
Serve:
- Serve and Enjoy: Once decorated, these treats are ready to go! Whether you’re serving them at a Valentine’s Day party or gifting them to a special someone, these strawberry Rice Krispie hearts are sure to be a hit.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 180
Fat per serving: 7g
Carbs per serving: 29g
Protein per serving: 1g
Sugar per serving: 18g
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
How to Serve Easy Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts
Perfect for Valentine’s Day Parties:
Serve them on a festive tray with other heart-shaped treats or Valentine’s-themed snacks. They’ll be the perfect sweet treat to brighten up the occasion!
Sweet Gift Idea:
Pack them up in cute gift boxes or cellophane bags with a ribbon and hand them out to your friends, coworkers, or loved ones. A homemade gift always feels extra special!
With a Hot Beverage:
Pair these strawberry Rice Krispie hearts with a cup of hot chocolate, a latte, or a cold glass of milk for the ultimate treat.
Additional Tips
Make Ahead:
These Rice Krispie hearts can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container. Just be sure to let them cool completely before sealing them up.
Add Mix-ins:
If you want to change up the flavor, you can add a handful of mini chocolate chips or dried fruit to the mixture for an extra twist.
Try Different Flavors:
You can experiment with different Jello flavors to match the occasion. For example, try raspberry for a deep pink hue or lime for a refreshing green treat.
Keep It Moist:
To ensure your Rice Krispies stay soft and chewy, make sure not to overcook the marshmallows. They should melt just enough to coat the cereal, but not turn too crispy.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
A1: Yes! You can use regular marshmallows, but you’ll need to cut them into smaller pieces to help them melt evenly.
Q2: Can I use a different color Jello?
A2: Absolutely! While strawberry Jello gives these treats a nice pink color, you can swap it out for raspberry, cherry, or any flavor/color you like.
Q3: How do I store leftover Rice Krispie hearts?
A3: Store the leftover treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Q4: Can I freeze these treats?
A4: Yes, you can freeze them! Just wrap them in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll last for up to 1 month in the freezer. Thaw before serving.
Q5: How can I make these treats more festive for Valentine’s Day?
A5: Add extra toppings like candy hearts, red and pink sprinkles, or drizzle them with melted chocolate for a sweet, decorative touch.
Q6: Can I use a different cereal instead of Rice Krispies?
A6: You can try using any other puffed rice cereal or even cornflakes, though the texture will be a little different.
Q7: Can I make these gluten-free?
A7: Yes! Just make sure your marshmallows and cereal are gluten-free, and you’re good to go.
Q8: How do I prevent the Rice Krispie mixture from sticking to my hands when shaping it?
A8: Lightly butter or grease your hands or use a piece of parchment paper to press the mixture into the pan. This will prevent sticking.
Q9: Can I make these without food coloring?
A9: Of course! If you prefer to skip the food coloring, you can still make delicious Rice Krispie hearts with just the strawberry flavor from the Jello.
Q10: How do I make these treats more decadent?
A10: For a richer treat, dip the heart-shaped treats in melted chocolate and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips or drizzle more chocolate on top!
Conclusion
These Easy Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts are the ultimate no-bake treat to celebrate Valentine’s Day in style. Whether you’re gifting them, sharing them with loved ones, or simply indulging yourself, they’re sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. Easy to make, sweet to eat, and totally customizable—these adorable heart-shaped treats will steal the show!
PrintEasy Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts for Valentine’s Day
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 16–20 bars 1x
Description
These Easy Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts are a fun and festive twist on the classic Rice Krispie treat, perfect for Valentine’s Day! Made with strawberry-flavored marshmallows and shaped into cute heart shapes, these treats are a sweet, no-bake treat to share with loved ones. Simple to make and irresistibly delicious, these treats will be a hit at any Valentine’s celebration!
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
- 1 (10 oz) package Strawberry-Flavored Marshmallows
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract (optional)
- Red or Pink Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
- Cooking Spray (for greasing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan:
- Lightly grease a baking pan (8×8-inch or 9×9-inch works well) with cooking spray, or line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.
- Melt the Marshmallows:
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted, add the strawberry-flavored marshmallows and stir until fully melted and smooth. If desired, add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Mix with Cereal:
- Once the marshmallows are melted, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Immediately add the Rice Krispies cereal to the marshmallow mixture and stir until the cereal is fully coated.
- Press Into the Pan:
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Press it down firmly using a spatula or your hands (lightly greased with butter or cooking spray) to create an even layer.
- Cool and Cut into Hearts:
- Allow the Rice Krispie treats to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes.
- Once slightly cooled, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut the treats into heart shapes. If the mixture is too sticky, lightly grease the cookie cutter with cooking spray.
- Decorate (Optional):
- Once the heart shapes are cut out, you can decorate with red or pink sprinkles for an extra festive touch.
- Serve:
- Serve the heart-shaped treats immediately, or store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
- If you can’t find strawberry-flavored marshmallows, you can use regular marshmallows and add a few drops of red food coloring to achieve the pink color.
- These treats are also perfect for kids to help with! Let them press the mixture into the pan and cut out the hearts.
- For an extra touch, drizzle melted white chocolate over the hearts or dip the edges in melted chocolate and then sprinkle with festive decorations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heart
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg