Description
This Easy Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts recipe is a delightful twist on the classic marshmallow cereal treat. Infused with freeze-dried strawberry powder for a burst of fruity flavor and shaped into cute heart forms, these treats are perfect for celebrations or anytime snacking. They are quick to make, requiring only basic ingredients and stovetop melting, resulting in soft, chewy, and visually appealing treats that anyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 cups mini marshmallows, divided (7 cups for melting, 1 cup reserved)
- 6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
Flavoring
- 1 oz bag freeze-dried strawberries, pulsed to a fine powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Surface: Grease a large cookie sheet with a light swipe of shortening to prevent the treats from sticking, then set it aside for later use.
- Melt the Butter: Place a large pot over medium heat and melt the 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter until fully liquefied.
- Add and Melt Marshmallows: Add 7 cups of mini marshmallows to the melted butter. Stir continuously with a spatula for about 1 minute or until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
- Incorporate Strawberry Powder: Mix in the freeze-dried strawberry powder evenly into the melted marshmallow mixture, ensuring the vibrant flavor and color distribute uniformly.
- Add Cereal and Reserved Marshmallows: Turn off the heat. Stir in 6 cups of Rice Krispie cereal until it is thoroughly coated with the strawberry-melted marshmallow mixture. Then, fold in the reserved 1 cup of mini marshmallows gently. These marshmallows will remain partially intact, adding lovely marshmallow pockets within the treat.
- Press the Mixture: Immediately transfer the mixture to the prepared cookie sheet. Use lightly greased hands (with shortening) to spread and press the mixture flat into an even layer. Allow it to cool and set for 10-15 minutes, which helps the treats firm up slightly for cutting.
- Flip the Treats: Once cooled, carefully flip the entire sheet of strawberry rice krispie treats onto a sheet of parchment paper, ensuring the smooth side is facing up.
- Cut into Hearts: Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many hearts as possible from the sheet, placing them close together to minimize waste. The number of hearts will vary depending on the size of the cookie cutter used.
- Enjoy and Store: Enjoy the strawberry rice krispie heart treats immediately or store them in a large gallon-sized Ziploc bag. They will stay fresh and soft for several days.
Notes
- For easy cleanup, soak the pot used to melt marshmallows with warm water immediately after use.
- Using shortening on your hands prevents the sticky marshmallow mixture from adhering to your fingers while pressing it flat.
- You can adjust the size and quantity of the hearts based on the cookie cutter size.
- These treats are best enjoyed within a few days to maintain freshness and softness.
- Ensure even mixing of freeze-dried strawberry powder to avoid clumps of flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heart-shaped treat
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
