Layers of red, white and blue form these Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats. It is the perfect no bake Fourth of July treat.
Get the kids involved making these 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats. It is so fun to use star cookie cutters to form the shapes. You might want to make this an annual tradition with the kids along with Patriotic Crockpot Peanut Clusters and Red White and Blue Desserts. I also make Red White and Blue Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries.
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe
It’s super easy with only a few ingredients. This recipe is the perfect dessert for July 4th or Memorial Day for a festive dessert.
Ingredients
- Butter. Real butter is best.
- Mini marshmallows. I like to use mini but you can also use large marshmallows if you want.
- Crispy rice cereal. The cereal needs to be fresh for best results.
- Clear vanilla extract. Make sure that you use clear vanilla so it does not change the layer colors.
Get the complete list of ingredients at the bottom of the page.
Supplies
Variations and Additions
- Melted Chocolate. You can melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over the stars.
- Sprinkles. Top each rice krispie treat with sprinkles.
How to make Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats
- Step 1. Prepare the pan – Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper. Spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2. Melt the butter over medium-low heat. Once melted, quickly add the marshmallows and stir with the butter. You will need to stir often. You can also use microwave safe bowls if you prefer to do this in the microwave.
Step 3. Once the marshmallows are completely melted, turn the heat to low. Add the vanilla extract and red food coloring to melted marshmallow mixture. Remove from heat. Mix in 4 cups of the cereal. Stir until the cereal is well coated.
Step 4. Spread into the baking dish. Smooth the top using the back of a buttered spoon or buttered wax paper.
Step 5. Make the white layer. Repeat the same process but leave the second batch white. Pour the white batch on top of the red layer. Press down and smooth evenly.
Step 6. Make the blue layer – Repeat the process one more time with the blue food coloring. Place on top of the white layer. Then press firmly and smooth out the top layer.
Step 7. Remove the rice krispies from the pan and place on a cutting board. Cut the treats into star shapes using a 3-inch star cookie cutter. You will have leftover rice krispie treats. You can use a smaller cutter to make more star treats.
Storage
Store at room temperature up to 2 days inside an airtight container. Do not refrigerate the treats or they will lose their soft and gooey texture.
They are best at room temperature.
More rice krispie treat recipes
More 4th of July Desserts
- 4th of July Sugar Cookies
- Patriotic Whoopie Pies
- 4th of July Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods
- Red White and Blue Strawberries
- Red White and Blue Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Try this recipe today and leave a comment once you. I love hearing from you.
Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats
Equipment
- 1 3-inch star cookie cutter https://amzn.to/3lAj9su
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter divided
- 15 cups mini marshmallows divided
- 12 cups crispy rice cereal divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons clear vanilla extract divided
- Red & blue food coloring 8-9 red drops, 6 blue
Instructions
- Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
- In a large pot, start to melt ¼ cup butter over medium-low heat. Once melted quickly add 5 cups of the mini marshmallows to the butter, stirring often.
- Once the marshmallows are almost melted, turn the heat to low.
- Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla and the red food coloring, a few drops at a time, and mix well. Continue to add food coloring until desired color.
- Remove from heat. Mix in 4 cups of the cereal. Stir until the cereal is well coated. Pour into the parchment lined pan.
- Spread evenly while pressing down firmly, and smooth the top using the back of a buttered spoon or buttered wax paper.
- Repeat the same process, but leave the second batch white. Pour the white batch on top of the red layer. Press down and smooth evenly.
- Repeat the process one more time with the blue food coloring. Place on top of the white layer. Press firmly and smooth out the top layer.
- Allow to cool completely at room temperature. Do not refrigerate.
- Remove the treats from the pan (use a knife to cut around the edges if needed). Peel off the parchment paper and place on a cutting board.
- Cut the treats into star shapes using a 3 inch star cookie cutter. If the cutter isn’t deep enough to completely reach the bottom of the pan, create an indentation with the cutter to use as a stencil, and then cut it out completely using a knife.
- You will have leftover rice krispie treats. You can use a smaller cutter to make more star treats.
