Description
Circus Animal Cookie Rice Krispie Treats combine crunchy, colorful circus animal cookies with classic gooey marshmallow and crispy rice cereal for a fun and festive dessert. These treats are adorned with vibrant sprinkles, multi-colored nonpareils, and drizzled with white and pink-tinted melted white chocolate to make an irresistible party favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 9 ounces Circus Animal Cookies
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Decorations and Toppings
- 3 tablespoons multi-colored nonpareils, divided
- 3 tablespoons colored sprinkles, divided
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- Red food coloring
- 12 teaspoons granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Process Cookies: Place all Circus Animal Cookies into a food processor and pulse 3 to 4 times until broken into a mix of crumbs and small pieces. Reserve ½ cup of the cookie pieces for topping later.
- Melt Butter and Marshmallows: In a large pot over low heat, melt the unsalted butter and mini marshmallows together, stirring frequently to create a smooth mixture.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the pot from heat. Immediately add the Rice Krispies cereal, crumbled cookies, 1 tablespoon of nonpareils, and 1 tablespoon of sprinkles to the melted marshmallow mixture. Stir until everything is thoroughly combined. Then sprinkle in an additional tablespoon each of nonpareils and sprinkles and mix again to distribute evenly.
- Press Mixture into Pan: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a rubber spatula to spread and press the treats evenly into the pan.
- Add Cookie Topping: Evenly sprinkle the reserved ½ cup of crumbled cookies over the top of the pressed treats for added texture and flavor.
- Melt White Chocolate: Place ¼ cup white chocolate chips into two separate small microwave-safe bowls. Microwave each for 30 seconds, then stir until melted and smooth.
- Drizzle White Chocolate: Pour the melted white chocolate from one bowl into a zipper-top sandwich bag, cut off a small corner, and drizzle it over the top of the treats in decorative lines.
- Make Pink Chocolate: Add a tiny amount of red food coloring to the other bowl of melted white chocolate. Stir gently and gradually add more coloring until a soft pink hue is achieved, being careful not to add too much.
- Adjust Consistency: If the pink chocolate becomes too thick to stir or drizzle, add ½ teaspoon of heavy cream and mix until smooth to restore the right consistency.
- Drizzle Pink Chocolate: Place the pink-tinted chocolate into another zipper-top bag, cut off a tiny corner, and drizzle it over the treats in the opposite direction of the white chocolate drizzle for a pretty two-tone effect.
- Final Sprinkle: Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of multi-colored nonpareils and colored sprinkles over the top to finish decorating the treats.
- Set and Serve: Allow the Rice Krispie treats to cool completely so the chocolate drizzles set before slicing into 12 servings and serving.
Notes
- Use a rubber spatula or wax paper to press the mixture evenly into the pan without sticking.
- Reserve some cookie crumbs for topping to add texture and maintain the circus animal cookie theme.
- Be cautious when adding red food coloring to white chocolate, as a small amount goes a long way.
- If white chocolate thickens too much when melting, a small amount of heavy cream helps smooth it out.
- Store finished treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for best freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
