Get ready for some festive fun with Christmas Rice Krispie Treats! This recipe combines the classic gooey goodness of Rice Krispies with a layer of sweet marshmallow cream and a sprinkle of peppermint candy canes. The little pinwheels are a showstopper at any Christmas party, cookie exchange, or holiday gathering.

For a simpler option, use a Christmas flavor to make M&M Rice Krispie Treats, or have fun with our Oreo Grasshopper Rice Krispie Treats.

Why Our Recipe

  • Layers of colorful rice krispie treats rolled into a festive pinwheel treat!
  • We add a layer of marshmallow cream and crushed candy canes to bring in more flavor and texture.
  • Perfect for any Christmas party, cookie exchange, holiday potluck, or neighbor gift.
An overhead view of a platter of slices of Christmas rice krispie treat pinwheels, with layers of red, green, and white.

These aren’t just red and green Christmas colors. We also layer in marshmallow cream and crushed candy canes to take things to the next level. These are fun to eat and fun to make for kids and adults alike! These Christmas pinwheels are a unique addition to your holiday dessert table or a creative edible gift for friends, coworkers, or neighbors.

Ingredient Notes

An overhead view of the ingredients needed to make Christmas rice krispie treats.
  • Rice Krispies Cereal: Use name brand or store-brand (generic). Either will work!
  • Butter: Salted or unsalted butter will work here. Salt is often a great addition to sweet treats.
  • Mini Marshmallows: Be sure they aren’t stale.
  • Marshmallow Cream: This adds an extra gooey layer to the treats. You can usually find it in the baking aisle of your grocery store.
  • Candy Canes: Crush them finely for even distribution. You can do this by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and using a rolling pin.
  • Red and Green Food Coloring: Gel food coloring works best for vibrant colors without affecting the consistency of the melted marshmallow mixture. Liquid food colorings can also be used, but can be more difficult to work with.

Kid-Friendly Tasks

Make It a Family Tradition: Turn the treat-making into a holiday event with festive music, hot cocoa, and family fun in the kitchen.

  • Let kids crush the candy canes in a sealed bag (a rolling pin works great for this).
  • They can help stir the food coloring into the marshmallow mixture and spread the marshmallow cream.
  • Kids love sprinkling crushed candy canes on the marshmallow layer—just remind them to keep it even!
A collage of 3 images showing the process of rolling and slicing Christmas rice krispie treat pinwheels.

Rolling Pinwheels

Use Parchment or Wax Paper: Place a sheet of parchment or wax paper underneath the Rice Krispies layers for easy rolling. It helps prevent sticking and makes it easier to lift and roll evenly. Silicone baking mats also work.

Roll While Warm: The layers roll best while they’re still slightly warm and pliable. Work quickly after spreading the marshmallow cream and candy canes to avoid the treats hardening.

Don’t Overfill: Be careful not to overload the layers with marshmallow cream or candy canes, as this can make rolling more challenging and cause the layers to break.

Tight Rolls: Start rolling from the longer edge for tighter pinwheels. Use gentle pressure to ensure the layers stick together without squeezing too hard.

Chill Before Slicing: Once rolled, refrigerate the log for about 20-30 minutes. This firms up the treats and makes cutting clean slices much easier.

Two slices of Christmas rice krispie treat pinwheels, with layers of red, green, and white swirled together. Candy canes are on the side.

Troubleshooting

Layers Not Sticking: If the layers aren’t sticking, place the whole roll in a low oven (200°F) for a minute or two to soften it before pressing the layers together again.

Breaking or Cracking During Rolling: If your Rice Krispies layer is breaking, it may have cooled too much. Pop it back into the oven for a few seconds to soften it.

Messy Cuts: Use a sharp, serrated knife for clean slices. Wipe the knife with a damp cloth between cuts to prevent sticking.

Uneven Rolling: Press gently but consistently while rolling to avoid creating uneven pinwheels.

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To prevent sticking, layer the pinwheels with sheets of parchment or wax paper.

Refrigeration: If you prefer firmer pinwheels, you can refrigerate them. Store in an airtight container with parchment between layers for up to 1 week.

Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the pinwheels in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

More festive Christmas treats…