Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats: The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Christmas Recipe
The holiday season sparkles with opportunities for festive fun, and what better way to celebrate than by creating delicious treats that bring smiles to everyone’s faces? While traditional gingerbread cookies are a classic, there’s a wonderfully easy and equally charming alternative that’s perfect for busy families and little hands: **Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats**. These delightful, chewy-crispy creations are a universally loved dessert, making them the ideal canvas for holiday creativity. Imagine transforming the simple joy of Rice Krispy Treats into adorable gingerbread men, complete with festive decorations, ready to be enjoyed or shared as heartwarming edible gifts.
A Festive Collaboration: Crafting Edible Holiday Magic with Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies®
This festive idea was born from an exciting challenge presented by Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® and the incredible women of TheMotherhood.com. The mission? To inspire families to create enjoyable and easy holiday treats with their children. As someone who loves edible crafts, this challenge was a perfect fit! It’s all about making memories in the kitchen, turning simple ingredients into magical holiday moments. These treats aren’t just for eating; they’re an experience, fostering creativity and togetherness during the most wonderful time of the year.
Beyond the charming Gingerbread Men, our collaboration also explored another fantastic concept: **Tree Trimmer Treats**. These innovative Rice Krispy creations are designed to resemble miniature Christmas ornaments, offering a unique and edible way to decorate (or momentarily hang!) your holiday space. During a live stream video demonstration with The Motherhood, I was thrilled to showcase how to make both these fun holiday treats, sharing all the insider tips and tricks to ensure your success.
Unlocking the Secrets to Perfect Tree Trimmer Treats
The official recipe for the Tree Trimmer Treats can be found on the Rice Krispies website, but I have a few essential tips to help you master these delightful edible ornaments. These tricks, demonstrated in the accompanying video, will make your decorating process smooth and enjoyable:
Expert Tips for Crafting Dazzling Tree Trimmer Treats:
- Pre-prepare Ornament Hangers: Time is of the essence when working with warm Rice Krispy Treats. To ensure easy molding, always make your edible ornament hangers first. These are simply crafted from miniature marshmallows and licorice whips, and having them ready means you can work quickly while the treat mixture is still pliable.
- Mastering the Hanger Technique: Creating the hangers is simpler than it sounds! Gently squeeze a miniature marshmallow between your fingers to flatten it slightly. Then, hold a licorice whip as close to the end as possible for better control, and twist it as you carefully poke it through the marshmallow. Once through, thread the other end of the licorice through the hole you just made, forming a perfect loop. The marshmallow’s stickiness will help secure the licorice in place.
- The Best Edible Adhesive: When it comes to attaching sprinkles, candies, or other festive decorations, a bit of vanilla frosting acts as an excellent, readily available edible glue. Its creamy consistency will hold everything firmly without causing a mess.
- Crafting a Versatile Powdered Sugar Glaze: For a vibrant, customizable coating, whip up a simple powdered sugar glaze. Mix powdered sugar with just enough milk (or water) until it reaches a paintable consistency. Use a pastry brush to apply it evenly to your treats, then immediately sprinkle with jimmies, nonpareils, or decorator sugar before the glaze sets. For an extra pop of color, incorporate a few drops of gel food coloring into the glaze to create brilliant, holiday-themed hues.
(And if you’re curious about how to create a beautiful, personalized holiday plate like the one featured in our photos, be sure to check out my dedicated post on my craft blog: “Make Your Own Holiday Tableware” for a fun DIY project!)
Creating Your Adorable Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats
Now for the main attraction: the delightful Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats! These sweet characters are incredibly engaging to make and decorate. To achieve perfectly shaped and sturdy gingerbread men, paying attention to a few key details during preparation and assembly is crucial.
Indispensable Tips for Gingerbread Men Success:
- Opt for a Sturdy Metal Cookie Cutter: When cutting your gingerbread man shapes from the dense Rice Krispy Treat mixture, a metal cookie cutter is highly recommended. Unlike plastic cutters which can bend or deform under pressure, metal provides the necessary strength and stability for a clean, precise cut. While buttering or spraying the cookie cutter with non-stick spray is an option, it’s often unnecessary if your treat mixture has the correct consistency.
- Achieving the Perfect Cereal-to-Marshmallow Ratio: The secret to the ideal Rice Krispy Treat texture lies in precise measurements. Too much cereal can result in dry, crumbly treats that are hard to cut and mold, while an excess of marshmallow will make them overly sticky and difficult to handle. Always follow the recipe’s exact measurements to achieve that perfect balance of crispy and chewy.
- Why Almond Bark is Superior to Chocolate Chips: For dipping your gingerbread men, **almond bark** is the clear winner over standard baking chocolate or chocolate chips. Almond bark is specifically designed as a candy coating. It melts smoothly, coats evenly, and sets quickly to a firm, non-sticky finish, making the dipping process far more efficient and yielding beautifully polished treats.
- Unleash Your Inner Decorator: The decorating phase is where the real fun happens! You have complete creative freedom. I used colorful gumdrops for cheerful buttons and other features, small vibrant candies for rosy cheeks on the gingerbread men (and the larger end of gumdrops for cheeks on circle faces), and white and black decorator icing to add expressive eyes and charming rick-rack patterns. Don’t shy away from sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or edible glitter for extra sparkle!
- Lollipop Sticks for Effortless Handling: If you plan to serve your gingerbread men as “pops,” use lollipop sticks. They are thinner and sturdier than conventional popsicle sticks, making them much easier to insert into the treats without causing damage. Their slender profile also makes them more comfortable for children to hold. You can typically find lollipop sticks in the cake decorating section of most craft supply or discount department stores.
- The Genius Measuring Cup Dipping Hack: This tip will revolutionize your dipping process! Melt your almond bark in a large glass measuring cup with a handle. The handle offers a secure grip, and the cup’s depth and shape allow you to easily tilt it and fully immerse each treat in one smooth motion, ensuring a complete and even coating. This method is incredibly efficient and minimizes mess.
Remember, all these detailed tips and techniques, from melting marshmallows to decorating your finished treats, are clearly demonstrated in the accompanying video. Watching it will give you a visual guide to ensure your creations turn out perfectly!
The Delicious Recipe for Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats
Ready to gather your ingredients and start crafting these festive delights? Below you’ll find the complete, easy-to-follow recipe for your very own Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats. Get ready to create some sweet holiday magic!
Rice Krispy Treat Gingerbread Men
IMPORTANT – For additional tips and inspiration, don’t forget to scroll up and review the detailed guidance provided in the blog post above!
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Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 6 pieces
- 1 10- oz package of marshmallows
- 6 level cups of Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal
- 1 package chocolate almond bark
- Gumdrops and colorful candies
- White and black decorator icing
- Miniature marshmallows
- Lollipop sticks
- Metal gingerbread and circle cookie cutters
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
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Spray a rimmed cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
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Spray the inside of a large microwave safe bowl with cooking spray. Place the butter into the bowl and pour the marshmallows on top of the butter. Microwave for 2 minutes on high. Spray a heavy duty rubber spatula or plastic spoon with cooking spray. Stir the melted mixture together. If not completely melted, microwave in 15 second increments. Stir until silky.
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Add the cereal to the marshmallow mixture and mix until combined well. Transfer the mixture to the prepared cookie sheet. Spray your clean hands with cooking spray and press the mixture into the pan evenly. Allow to cool for 15 minutes or so before continuing.
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Use cookie cutter to make gingerbread men and circles for the gingerbread face pops. Press cookie cutter through the treats firmly and wiggle it back and forth to loosen it from the rest of the pan. Gently squeeze the sides of the cookie cutter to “grab” the treat and lift. Pop the treat out and continue to the next one.
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Once you have them all cut out, insert lollipop sticks by gently twisting and pushing.
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Cut the almond bark into pieces and place in a 4-cup glass measuring cup. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir. If there are still large piece, microwave in 20 second increments until melted and smooth.
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Holding the lollipop stick and tilting the cup holding the melted chocolate, place the front of the treat into the chocolate to cover the surface. Lift and let excess drip off a bit, then place on waxed paper or a cooling rack.
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Decorate with candy. Cut the tip of a gumdrop off for the buttons and use the larger end of the gumdrop as cheeks on the gingerbread circle faces. Use colorful candies for cheeks on gingerbread men. Cut miniature marshmallows in half to use as eyes on the gingerbread circle faces. Be sure to decorate with candies before the chocolate dries.
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Allow the chocolate to dry before using white and black decorator icing to add rick rack and eyes.
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Beyond the Kitchen: Gifting & Serving Your Festive Rice Krispy Treats
Once your adorable Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats and charming Tree Trimmer Treats are cooled and beautifully decorated, they are ready to become a highlight of your holiday celebrations. These aren’t just delicious snacks; they also make fantastic edible gifts, showing thoughtfulness and creativity that store-bought treats simply can’t match.
For a polished gifting presentation, consider individually wrapping each treat in clear cellophane bags, tied with festive ribbons or bakers twine. You can arrange an assortment of different shapes and decorations in a decorative box or tin for a truly impressive and personalized present. These holiday Rice Krispy Treats are perfect for adding to cookie platters, bringing to school parties, or giving as heartfelt tokens of appreciation to neighbors, teachers, or colleagues. The joy of receiving a homemade Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treat is truly special!
When serving these treats at home, arrange them artfully on a large platter or tiered stand. Their vibrant colors and playful shapes will instantly enhance your dessert table, making it look festive and inviting. Children, in particular, adore these treats, making them an ideal addition to any family-friendly holiday gathering. Plus, their no-bake nature helps alleviate some of the stress of a busy holiday kitchen, allowing you more time to enjoy with loved ones.
Unleash Your Inner Holiday Sweet Maker!
Making these Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats is more than just following a recipe; it’s an opportunity to create cherished holiday memories. It’s about bringing families together in the kitchen, encouraging imaginative decorating, and spreading joy through delicious, homemade treats. With the detailed tips and clear instructions provided in this guide and the accompanying video, you’re now perfectly equipped to craft a batch of these festive delights that will be talked about and remembered long after the last bite. So gather your ingredients, call your little helpers, and get ready to create some magical, edible holiday memories with Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies®! Happy holidays and happy crafting!
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