These strawberry Rice Krispie treats are made with strawberry gelatin for a fun twist on a classic Valentine’s Day snack.
Just think of it. Rice Krispies treats. Strawberries. Two of my favorite things.
With Valentine’s Day coming up quickly, I decided to combine the two. I played around a little and came up with this recipe for Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats. And they are every bit as incredible as they sound!
Valentine’s Day Rice Krispie Treats
When it comes to making yummy and fun treats for Valentine’s Day, color is everything! I love the rose-blush and pink shade of these little treats. Plus, these are the perfect treats to share with kids because they are gluten-free and perfect for most people with allergies.
The secret ingredient is Jello – it adds the perfect sweet strawberry flavor and pink color, making these sweet crunchy treats perfect for Valentine’s Day. Or any day you want a flavorful twist to Rice Krispies Treats. And they are just as quick and easy to make as regular Rice Krispies treats!
Rice Krispie Treats Supplies & Ingredients
One batch of this makes enough treats to fill one 9×13-inch pan. This yields about 2 dozen treats.
What You’ll Need for Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats:
- Rice Krispies
(use gluten-free if needed) - mini marshmallows
- strawberry gelatin
- butter or margarine (I use butter)
- vanilla extract
(use gluten-free if needed)
extractOptional Add-Ins
Here are a few things that I didn’t use, but thought about adding later. Try a few of them to jazz up your Valentine’s Day treats.
- White Chocolate Chips
- Multi-colored marshmallows
- White Chocolate Drizzle
- Sprinkles
How To Make Pink Rice Krispie Treats
Just follow these instructions and step-by-step pictures and you can make your own strawberry Rice Krispie treats for Valentine’s day. Remember, all the instructions are in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. These are some photos if you enjoy scrolling and reading extra tips along the way.
First, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Then, add the bag of marshmallows and let it sit for about 30 seconds or so as it slowly melts. Stir gently. Do not overmix it at this point. Just give it a few gentle stirs so it doesn’t stick to the pan.
Add the vanilla extract and stir gently again. Keep the heat at medium-low and do not overmix the marshmallows.
Pour the packet of Jello over the marshmallow mixture. Or half the packet, if you bought the larger 3 oz box of strawberry Jello, like me. (Then save the rest for another batch, because chances are your family will gobble this up and ask for more.)
I tried using the entire package in a test batch and the strawberry flavor was too overpowering. The 1.5 oz amount is perfect.
Gently mix everything together. The key to the soft and chewy treats is to mix very gently, almost folding the ingredients together.
Once the marshmallows are partially melted, remove them from the heat. The secret to soft Rice Krispies treats is not overheat the marshmallows.
Stir until the marshmallows are melted completely and lumps are gone. You can use a whisk too if that helps you mix it all together completely.
When it is all melted and mixed together, remove it from the heat. Add the Rice Krispies and stir gently.
Spoon into a 9×13″ greased pan and pat down with your hands (butter them first to prevent sticking.)
Let cool for a couple of hours (this helps cut down on the stickiness), then cut into bars and enjoy your delicious Strawberry Rice Krispies treats!
Decoration Ideas
I think these look perfect just the way they are. If you want to add a little extra pizazz to them, you can try one of these fun ideas.
- Use Valentine’s Day-themed cookie cutter (like hearts).
- Another idea is to sprinkle some red and white heart-shaped sprinkles on top!
- When you are giving them away, don’t forget to include a cute little card with them.
- Roll the treats into a ball and stick them on skewers for rice krispie treat pops
Try Different Flavors
This is a very basic recipe, so it’s really easy to change things up for each season, holiday, or party theme. Just use a different color/flavor of gelatin.
For example. for St. Patrick’s Day, use lime! Then, for American patriotic parties/cookouts, do a red, white and blue theme (blueberry, plain, and cherry).
The options are pretty endless. Just browse the gelatin flavors and create your own masterpieces in your kitchen.
How To Store Rice Krispie Treats
The best way to store homemade rice cripsy treats is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Place a sheet of wax or parchment paper in between each layer so that they don’t stick together.
They will last about a week in the refrigerator.
Pin the image below to save the recipe for later!
More Valentine’s Day Ideas
If you enjoyed these strawberry-flavored Rice Krispie treats idea, you should try these Valentine’s Day ideas next. They are so much fun!
- Easy Homemade Valentine’s Day Slime
- Valentine’s Day Tic-Tac-Toe
- Valentine’s Day I-Spy Free Printables
Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats
A twist on the classic Rice Krispies treats – strawberry flavor!
- Yield: 18 1x
Ingredients
- 7 cups Rice Krispies
- 1 bag (10.5 oz) mini marshmallows
- 1.5 oz package (or half of 1 large 3 oz box) strawberry gelatin
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low-medium heat. Add the marshmallows and let it sit for about 30 seconds. Stir gently. Add the vanilla extract and gently stir again. Next add the strawberry gelatin mix and stir gently again. Notice how I keep repeating “stir gently?” This will keep the treats lighter, not “tough.” Let the marshmallows partially melt but remove from heat before they are fully melted.
- Stir (off the burner) until they are completely melted.
- Add the Rice Krispies and gently mix.
- Scoop into a 9×13″ greased pan and gently pat down with clean buttered hands. It’s VERY sticky!
- Let cool/dry for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars and serving.
Jacqueline K says
Wow, thanks for this super great recipe. I am currently Gluten-free and this will be a great treat for me and my sweetie on Valentines Day. I also babysit and my little guy will love these also.
Erika says
That’s great that you can enjoy this too – I didn’t even realize this could be made gluten free. 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
diane says
What a neat idea! You could do this for other holidays too….blue for the 4th of july? Hmmmm…not sure about blue but green on Saint Patty’s Day would work!
Erika says
I was already thinking that – lime is the perfect flavor and color for St Patty’s!
Have Sippy Will Travel Mommy Blogger says
those are adorable
Cecile says
I love that they are not just colored pink but actually have strawberry flavor!
Cristine says
My husband loves rice krispie treats – can’t wait to make these.
Tammilee Tillison says
What a cool idea. I had never thought of using jello in rice krispie treats before.
Dawn Lopez says
Oh how adorable, what a great idea to use Jello! I will definitely need to try this out, my son would go bananas (or strawberry in this case) over these! Yum!
Samantha K says
I never would have thought to add gelatin to Rice Krispies Treats! What a great way to add color and flavor!!! I can’t wait to try it.
Janine Huldie says
Ok, if we do not lose power this weekend from this freak blizzard, I am so making these. Seriously, love Rice Krispie Treat and omg I love strawberries, too. So thank you for yet another awesome recipe from you have pinned and am making now!! 🙂
Libby's Library says
All my kids like Rice KrispiesTreats – but one daughter in particular LOVES them. I have to make them every time she and her family visit. I have to be honest, and tell you that I’ve never made anything but the original recipe. I am going to have to make a couple of batches of these, and mail them to her. She is going to be thrilled.
Marie says
What a great Valentine’s day treat! My girls LOVE rice krispie treats and this is such a fun twist on the original ones.
Kristin says
I could not stop eating these. They were SO delicious. Huge hit at my kids’ Valentine’s Day school party, and a huge hit with my father-in-law, who claims to be the champion chef of Rice Krispies treats. Can’t wait to try out other colors and flavors for different holidays. Definitely picking up some lime Jello for St. Patty’s Day! Thanks for the awesome idea.
Erika says
That’s awesome to hear! Thanks for stopping by to give me the great report. 🙂
lisa says
You can’t find an easier kid friendly treat!
bella says
I MISSED This recipe for Valentine,but they look so good I am gone to make theme anyway.Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Jessica Houston says
These look really yummy I think I’m going to make these for my nephew.
Yong says
Thanks for the instructions
Chrystal D says
I love these! Never thought of adding any different flavors to them. Thanks for the recipe, I’m going to make some!
Kathy Smith says
My daughter and I love strawberries, can’t wait til May when we get our fresh locally grown strawberries. These rice krispie treats sound so good . Will be making them Soon. Thanks for sharing recipe.
Julie says
How fun! Thanks! I’m going to try this for St. Paddy’s. 🙂
Maddie K says
I made these with my neighbors kids for Valentines day, but we cut the Rice Krispies with a heart shaped cookie cutter. The kids wanted to decorate some of them too so I broke out some decoring icing and let them have at it.
Erika says
How fun! I’m glad everyone enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Sam Dock says
I normally dont care for rice krispy treats because they just dont taste like much, but I bet these would be good with the strawberry added in!
Sam Dock says
Im going to make multicolored ones like this for Easter 🙂
kelly nicholson says
im going to turn em into st pattys treats!
Christina Strapp says
These look great, I will be giving these a try!
Camille says
These are so fun! I’d love it if you linked this recipe up to this week’s Iron Chef Mom: Strawberry Battle! http://growingupgabel.com/iron-chef-mom-strawberry-battle/
Melissa says
These look so yummy! I am doing an upcoming post about strawberries and would love to feature you!
Erika says
Thanks, Melissa!
Sonia says
I am hosting a Baby Shower for my first grandchild in January. I can’t wait to try these for the dessert bar. I’m thinking of adding dehydrated strawberry pieces to them.
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
Tori says
Im a young mom of two children. My daughter is 7 and my son is 2. Needless to say mornings are busy and anything i can do to make the most of the time we have in the day the better and with a limited budget these look easy enough. I currently have giant strawberry marshmallows in the cupboard. Do you think it will turn out just as good with those instead of the jello pack and the regular marshmallows?
Erika says
Hi Tori, you could definitely try it with strawberry marshmallows – that sounds fun. The flavor won’t be as ‘strawberry-like’ using the marshmallows instead of Jello, but it should still tasty yummy. Have fun!
Raye Kline says
My day care kids were over the moon in love with these. They have wanted them everyday since the day I made them. They also get to help which is even better. So simple…so perfect.
Erika says
I’m so glad your family loved this recipe. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Valerie says
I do this with unsweetened kool-aid packets that add flavor but not more sugar.
Judy says
This treat was such a hit with my kids! They loved helping me make it and it was so easy and tasty too. Such a fun variation of traditional rice krispy treats!