Step right up and bring the whimsical fun of the carnival straight to your kitchen! These Cotton Candy Rice Krispie Treats are a vibrant, no-bake dessert that will delight kids and adults alike. We’ve taken the classic marshmallow treat and infused it with the sweet, airy flavor of cotton candy, complete with dreamy pink and blue swirls. This recipe is incredibly simple, making it the perfect activity for a lazy afternoon or a fantastic addition to any party menu. Get ready to create a show-stopping dessert that tastes as good as it looks.
Forget complicated baking projects. With just a handful of ingredients and about 15 minutes, you can whip up a batch of these colorful, chewy, and utterly irresistible treats. They are the perfect blend of nostalgia and novelty.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Easy: This is a beginner-friendly recipe that requires no baking and minimal prep time.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The unique cotton candy flavor is a fun twist on the beloved classic, guaranteed to be a hit at parties.
- Visually Stunning: The beautiful pink and blue swirls make these treats a centerpiece-worthy dessert.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: From birthday parties and baby showers to a simple after-dinner snack, these treats fit any celebration. For another party favorite, check out our Oreo Dirt Cake.
The Secret to Perfect Cotton Candy Rice Krispie Treats
The magic of these Cotton Candy Rice Krispie Treats lies in the flavoring and the technique. The key is using a good quality cotton candy extract, which infuses every bite with that authentic carnival taste. We’ll also divide the marshmallow mixture to create two distinct colors, then gently swirl them together. This method ensures you get that beautiful marbled effect without the colors becoming muddy. It’s a simple trick that delivers professional-looking results every single time.
Essential Ingredients
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Mini Marshmallows: They melt more quickly and evenly than their larger counterparts.
- Butter: Use salted butter to balance the sweetness of the marshmallows and cotton candy flavor.
- Cotton Candy Flavoring Extract: This is the star ingredient! Look for it in the baking aisle of most craft stores or purchase it online. A little goes a long way.
- Pink and Blue Gel Food Coloring: Gel coloring provides vibrant hues without adding extra liquid, which can make the treats soggy.
* Crispy Rice Cereal: The classic foundation of our treat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preparation
Start by preparing your pan. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray and set it aside. This step is crucial for preventing the sticky mixture from, well, sticking!
2. Melting the Marshmallows
In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Once the butter is melted, add the mini marshmallows. Stir continuously until the marshmallows are completely melted and smooth. Be sure to keep the heat low to prevent the sugar from burning. Remove from heat.
3. Flavor and Divide
Stir the cotton candy flavoring extract into the melted marshmallow mixture. Now, work quickly to divide the mixture evenly between two separate bowls. Add the pink gel food coloring to one bowl and the blue gel food coloring to the other. Stir each bowl until the color is uniform.
4. Creating the Swirl
Divide the crispy rice cereal evenly between the two colored marshmallow mixtures. Fold gently until the cereal is fully coated. Now, alternate spoonfuls of the pink and blue mixtures into your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to gently press the mixture into the pan. For a more pronounced swirl, you can run a knife through the mixture once or twice, but be careful not to overmix.
5. Set and Serve
Let the treats cool completely at room temperature for at least one hour. Do not refrigerate them, as this can make them hard. Once set, cut into squares and serve. If you’re looking for another easy dessert, these No-Bake Chia Pudding Bars are a healthy and delicious option.
Expert Tips for Success
- Use Fresh Marshmallows: Old marshmallows can be dry and won’t melt as smoothly, affecting the final texture.
- Don’t Over-Stir: When mixing the cereal into the marshmallow, stir just enough to coat. Over-stirring can crush the cereal.
- Press Gently: When pressing the mixture into the pan, use a greased spatula or a piece of parchment paper to press lightly. Compacting it too much will result in hard, dense treats.
- Easy Cleanup: For easier cleanup, grease your bowls and spatula with butter or cooking spray before you start.
Flavor Variations & Fun Add-ins
While the classic cotton candy flavor is fantastic, feel free to get creative! Here are a few ideas:
- Add Sprinkles: Mix in some festive sprinkles with the cereal for extra color and texture.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: Once the treats are set, drizzle melted white chocolate over the top.
- Different Flavors: Experiment with other extracts like bubblegum or birthday cake for a different twist. Our Peach Raspberry Cobbler is another fruit-forward dessert you might enjoy.
How to Store Your Treats
Store your Cotton Candy Rice Krispie Treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Placing a layer of parchment paper between the layers can prevent them from sticking together.
Yes, these are great to make ahead. You can prepare them up to two days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their soft and chewy texture.
The key is to work quickly and not overmix. After coating the cereal in the separate colored marshmallow mixtures, drop alternate spoonfuls into your pan. Then, gently press down. Avoid stirring them together in the pan to keep the colors distinct.
For extra fun, you can mix in edible glitter or colorful sprinkles with the cereal. A drizzle of melted white chocolate on top also adds a delicious, decorative touch.
You can typically find cotton candy flavoring extract in the baking aisle of major craft stores like Michael’s or Jo-Ann Fabrics, as well as online from retailers like Amazon. It’s sometimes labeled as ‘candy flavoring’.
Rice Krispie treats can become hard for two main reasons: high heat or over-packing. Be sure to melt the marshmallows over low heat to avoid caramelizing the sugar. When pressing the mixture into the pan, do so gently—just enough to flatten the top.
Yes, these are great to make ahead. You can prepare them up to two days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their soft and chewy texture.
The key is to work quickly and not overmix. After coating the cereal in the separate colored marshmallow mixtures, drop alternate spoonfuls into your pan. Then, gently press down. Avoid stirring them together in the pan to keep the colors distinct.
For extra fun, you can mix in edible glitter or colorful sprinkles with the cereal. A drizzle of melted white chocolate on top also adds a delicious, decorative touch.
You can typically find cotton candy flavoring extract in the baking aisle of major craft stores like Michael’s or Jo-Ann Fabrics, as well as online from retailers like Amazon. It’s sometimes labeled as ‘candy flavoring’.
Rice Krispie treats can become hard for two main reasons: high heat or over-packing. Be sure to melt the marshmallows over low heat to avoid caramelizing the sugar. When pressing the mixture into the pan, do so gently—just enough to flatten the top.
The Perfect No-Bake Cotton Candy Rice Krispie Treats
This recipe for Cotton Candy Rice Krispie Treats is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. The vibrant colors and whimsical flavor are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. We hope you love making and sharing this delightful treat. If you try it, let us know how it turned out in the comments below and don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
Cotton Candy Rice Krispie Treats: The Ultimate No-Bake Recipe
Bring the carnival home with these vibrant Cotton Candy Rice Krispie Treats! This easy, no-bake recipe features pink and blue swirls and the sweet, whimsical flavor of cotton candy.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the cotton candy extract. Quickly divide the mixture evenly between two bowls. Add pink food coloring to one bowl and blue to the other, stirring until uniform.
- Add 3 cups of crispy rice cereal to each bowl and fold until coated. Alternate spoonfuls of the pink and blue mixtures into the prepared pan.
- Use a greased spatula to gently press the mixture evenly into the pan. Do not pack it down too firmly. Let the treats cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour before cutting.
Notes
Use fresh marshmallows for the best texture.
Press the mixture into the pan gently to avoid hard treats.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Cotton Candy Rice Krispie Treats: The Ultimate No-Bake Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat. Add the mini marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the cotton candy extract. Quickly divide the mixture evenly between two bowls. Add pink food coloring to one bowl and blue to the other, stirring until uniform.
- Add 3 cups of crispy rice cereal to each bowl and fold until coated. Alternate spoonfuls of the pink and blue mixtures into the prepared pan.
- Use a greased spatula to gently press the mixture evenly into the pan. Do not pack it down too firmly. Let the treats cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour before cutting.
Notes
Press the mixture into the pan gently to avoid hard treats.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
