Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings : Easy No-Bake Holiday Treats Kids Love

When the holiday season hits full swing, there’s nothing better than easy Christmas treats that look adorable, taste amazing, and don’t require hours in the kitchen. Enter Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings — festive no-bake bites made with classic cereal, melted chocolate, and a whole lot of holiday cheer.

These mini desserts are the perfect blend of nostalgic Rice Krispies and fun holiday decorating. They’re ideal for Christmas baking with kids, school parties, cookie exchanges, or simply adding charm to your dessert table. Plus, they’re super simple to make and require zero oven time — a lifesaver during busy December days.

Looking for more no-bake fun? Try no-bake pumpkin pie balls or pumpkin fluff dip for other crowd-pleasers!

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Why You’ll Love These Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings

These treats are incredibly fun to make and customize. Here’s why they’ll be a hit this season:

• No-bake and fuss-free – Perfect for making with kids or last-minute.
• Festive and cute – They mimic traditional Christmas puddings with icing and holly decorations.
• Great for gifting or parties – Easy to wrap, pack, and transport.
• Customizable – Add raisins, spices, or different toppings.

In a world of Christmas sprinkle cookie recipes, these pudding-style Krispie balls stand out as a no-bake, bite-sized twist on tradition.

Ingredients for Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings

You probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• 1/4 cup butter
• 10 oz (about 40) marshmallows
• 1/2 cup milk or dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• White chocolate (for drizzle/“icing”)
• Green and red fondant or candy holly decorations

Optional:

• Mini M&Ms, sprinkles, or mini marshmallows

For a festive drink pairing, serve them with strawberry cream soda or lavender lemonade for a colorful treat table.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings

These no-bake holiday treats come together quickly with just a few steps:

1. Melt the Butter and Marshmallows
In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth.

2. Stir in Chocolate and Vanilla
Turn off the heat and stir in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract until the chocolate is fully melted.

3. Add the Rice Krispies
Pour the cereal into the mixture and stir until all pieces are evenly coated in the gooey chocolate mix.

4. Shape into Balls
Using greased hands or a cookie scoop, form the mixture into small balls. Let them set on a parchment-lined tray.

5. Decorate as Christmas Puddings
Once cool and firm, melt white chocolate and spoon it over the top of each ball to resemble “icing.” Add green fondant leaves and red holly berries (or candy alternatives) on top.

6. Chill and Serve
Place in the fridge for 15 minutes to set completely, then serve or store.

Want to build a full festive platter? Add hot cocoa cookies and chocolate pumpkin butter cups for a trio of crowd-favorite sweets.

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Holiday Baking with Kids: Make It a Fun Family Activity

These Rice Krispie Christmas puddings are perfect for getting little hands involved. They can:

• Mix the cereal into the melted chocolate
• Shape the pudding balls (with help)
• Decorate with “icing” and toppings

For even more family-friendly options, check out mini pancake cereal or cinnamon roll breakfast bake, great for cozy holiday mornings.

Custom Variations for Your Krispie Christmas Puddings

Want to personalize your treats? Here are some creative ideas:

• Add chopped dried fruits like cranberries or raisins for a fruitcake vibe.
• Mix in crushed candy canes for a minty twist.
• Use colored white chocolate for drizzle: red, green, or gold!
• Make it nutty by adding chopped pecans or walnuts.

If you love this style of baking, you might also enjoy cauldron cookies or rice krispie treat ghosts for themed party treats all year long.

How to Store and Gift These No-Bake Christmas Treats

These pudding bites are perfect for gifting during the holidays. Here’s how to store and pack them:

Storing:
Place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Allow to sit at room temperature before serving.

Freezing:
Freeze decorated or plain pudding balls in a single layer. Thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying.

Gifting:
Wrap individually in cellophane or place a few in a decorative holiday tin with tissue paper. Pair with a handwritten tag and pumpkin truffles for a sweet holiday gift basket.

Perfect for Cookie Exchanges, Potlucks, and School Parties

These Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings check all the boxes for holiday sharing:

• No refrigeration needed during short events
• Kid-friendly ingredients
• Visually festive and universally loved

Add them to a dessert table with muffin tin mini apple pies or mini pumpkin pie cups for variety and fun.

Pair With Other No-Bake Christmas Recipes

For the ultimate no-bake Christmas recipe collection, try these favorites:

• No-bake pumpkin pie balls
• Pumpkin fluff dip
• Sweet chili meatballs for savory contrast
• Fruit dip with fresh strawberries or apples

Serve on a tiered platter for an impressive, oven-free dessert spread.

Holiday Theme Ideas: Make It Work Beyond Christmas

With a few minor changes, you can make these for other seasons too:

• Valentine’s Day: Use pink and red drizzle and candy hearts
• Easter: Pastel-colored white chocolate and mini eggs
• Halloween: Orange drizzle with candy eyes or turn them into spooky eyeballs

Pair with dessert Halloween treats or spooky ghost brown butter pumpkin cookies for themed fun.

Make-Ahead Tips for Busy Holiday Schedules

The holidays get hectic — here’s how to stay ahead:

• Make the Krispie mixture 1 day in advance and shape balls. Chill and decorate the next day.
• Prep decorations ahead: Fondant leaves and berries can be made and stored in a dry container for days.
• Batch it: Double or triple the recipe easily — one saucepan can go a long way!

For more freezer-friendly options, check out freezer breakfast sandwiches and make-ahead breakfast bowls to prep your mornings too!

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Nutritional Info (Per Treat Approximation)

• Calories: 110
• Carbs: 18g
• Fat: 4g
• Protein: 1g
• Sugar: 11g

(These are estimates. Nutritional values may vary based on brands and substitutions.)

FAQs About Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings

Can I use premade Rice Krispie treats?
Yes! Cut them into squares, reshape into balls, then decorate as usual.

What’s the best chocolate to use?
Milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips work best. Avoid baking chocolate unless you like bittersweet flavor.

Can I skip the marshmallows?
They’re essential for binding. For an alternative, use a mix of honey and peanut butter — similar to no-bake cheerio and peanut butter bars.

How long do these last?
Up to 5 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.

Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free crisp rice cereal and chocolate.

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