The Comfort Spoon

When Childhood Crunch Meets Grown-Up Indulgence

Hey there, kitchen friend! Anna here, your partner in edible adventures. Remember that giddy feeling of making Rice Krispies Treats as a kid? That *snap-crackle-pop* symphony as you poured cereal into melted marshmallows? Today we’re taking that beloved nostalgia and dressing it up in its Sunday best with our Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats! Imagine: that iconic crispy base now blushing with cherry sweetness, all snuggled under a blanket of rich chocolate. These aren’t just snacks—they’re edible confetti for your taste buds. Perfect for potlucks, holiday cookie swaps, or when Tuesday needs a sparkle. Best part? You don’t need fancy skills—just a pot, a spatula, and that joyful anticipation that comes with creating something magically delicious. Ready to make your kitchen smell like a candy shop? Aprons on—let’s get crackling!

My Cherry-Stained Epiphany

Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats

Print Recipe

These aren’t your average Rice Krispies Treats! Infused with cherry flavor and topped with a rich chocolate coating, they bring together nostalgic crunch with a playful twist. Perfect for parties, holidays, or any day that needs a little cherry-chocolate magic.

• Author: annareynolds
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• chill time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

4 tbsp butter (or Earth Balance)

10 oz mini marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies (or GF alternative)

1 (4 oz) package cherry Jello

1½ cups chocolate chips

1 tbsp shortening

Instructions

In a large pot, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until fully melted.

Stir in cherry Jello until dissolved and evenly mixed.

Remove from heat, add Rice Krispies, and stir to coat.

Press mixture into a greased or lined 9×13-inch pan. Let cool.

Melt chocolate chips with shortening until smooth. Spread evenly over treats.

Let set at room temp or chill until firm. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Notes

Storage: Store in airtight container for 3–4 days

Crunchy, chewy, chocolatey, and bright with cherry flavor—these treats are a joyful twist on a classic favorite!

Nutrition

• Calories: 180 per piece
• Sugar: 16g
• Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 26g

Picture this: It’s 2008, my tiny Brooklyn apartment kitchen, and I’m attempting to impress my now-husband on our third date. I’d planned an elegant chocolate tart… which promptly slid off the counter like a clumsy penguin. Panic! Then I spotted a box of cereal and leftover maraschino cherries from cocktail night. With shaky hands, I whipped up cherry-kissed Krispies squares, dunked them in chocolate, and presented them with a sheepish grin. His eyes lit up like a kid at a carnival. “These,” he declared through a mouthful of crumbs, “are the best things I’ve ever eaten.” Twelve years later, we still make these every anniversary—proof that sometimes kitchen disasters bloom into sweet traditions. That’s the magic of cooking: perfection is overrated, but joy? Always on the menu.

Your Cherry-Chocolate Toolbox

• Butter (4 tbsp): Our flavor foundation! Salted butter adds depth, but unsalted works too. Vegan? Swap in Earth Balance—it melts like a dream.
• Mini Marshmallows (10 oz): The sticky glue! Minis melt faster than large ones. No minis? Chop big marshmallows—just add 30 seconds extra melting time.
• Rice Krispies (6 cups): The crunch MVP! Gluten-free? Use GF crispy rice cereal. Chef’s Tip: Measure after lightly crushing some cereal in your hands for extra texture nooks!
• Cherry Jell-O (1 package, 4 oz): Our flavor fireworks! Want natural? Freeze-dried cherry powder (3 tbsp) works, but add 1 tsp vanilla for balance.
• Chocolate Chips (1½ cups): The velvet crown! Semi-sweet plays nice with cherry’s tartness. Milk chocolate lovers? Go for it—just reduce Jell-O by 1 tbsp.
• Shortening (1 tbsp): Our shine secret! Makes chocolate fluid. Coconut oil works, but it sets softer.

Let’s Build Some Magic, Step-by-Step

1. Butter Up: Melt butter over low heat in your largest pot. Why low? Burnt butter = sad treats. Swirl the pot—no rushing this romance! Chef Hack: Rub a dab of butter on your spatula to prevent marshmallow cling.
2. Marshmallow Meltdown: Add marshmallows. Stir constantly with a silicone spatula until they’re a smooth, glossy cloud (5-7 mins). No thermometer needed: When no lumps remain, you’re golden!
3. Cherry Kiss: Sprinkle in cherry Jell-O. Stir vigorously for 1 minute until fully dissolved and gloriously pink. Breathe in—that’s childhood joy in vapor form!
4. Cereal Chaos: Remove from heat! Dump in Rice Krispies. Fold gently—don’t smash the crispies! Pro Move: Add ¼ cup chopped dried cherries here for extra fruity bursts.
5. Pan & Press: Spread into a greased 9×13 pan. Use buttered hands or a greased spatula to press lightly. Don’t compact! Gentle pressure keeps treats airy.
6. Chocolate Blanket: Melt chocolate + shortening in 20-second microwave bursts, stirring between. Pour over cooled base. Tilt pan for even coverage. Chef’s Whisper: Sprinkle flaky salt atop chocolate now for a gourmet wink!
7. The Waiting Game: Let set at room temp (1 hour) or chill (30 mins). Cutting secret? Warm knife under hot water, dry, then slice. Wipe between cuts for clean edges!

Sharing is Half the Fun!

Slide these gems onto a vintage cake stand for retro charm, or stack them in mason jars tied with baker’s twine for gifting. Coffee’s best friend? Absolutely! For parties, cut into tiny triangles and spear with paper straws for pop-able bites. Feeling fancy? Top warm squares with vanilla ice cream and fresh cherries—hello, deconstructed sundae! Store leftovers (ha!) layered with parchment in an airtight container. They’ll stay crisp and dreamy for 4 days… if they last that long.

Make It Your Own!

• Black Forest Twist: Add 1 tsp almond extract to marshmallows + fold in ½ cup chopped dried cherries. Top chocolate with shaved white chocolate.
• Boozy Bloom: Soak ⅓ cup dried cherries in 2 tbsp Kirsch before folding in. Adult-only magic!
• Nutty Crunch: Swap 1 cup Rice Krispies for crushed pretzels. Salty-sweet heaven!
• Dairy-Free Delight: Use vegan butter, Dandies marshmallows, and dairy-free chocolate chips.
• Fruit Explosion: Swap cherry Jell-O for raspberry or strawberry. Top with freeze-dried berries.

From My Kitchen to Yours

Fun fact: This recipe was almost called “Rescue Rice Krispies” after my date-night disaster! Over the years, I’ve learned: if your chocolate seizes, add ½ tsp coconut oil and re-melt. If treats get hard, microwave squares for 5 seconds to revive that ooey-gooey magic. My daughter now adds rainbow sprinkles to the chocolate “for extra happy.” That’s the beauty of this recipe—it’s a blank canvas for joy. Whether you’re 8 or 80, that first bite transports you. Last Christmas, I mailed these to my grandma in Minnesota. She called, giggling: “Tastes like my bridge club in 1962!” That’s the power of food memory—we’re not just making treats, we’re making moments.

Your Questions, My Answers!

Q: Why did my treats turn rock-hard?
A: Over-stirring after adding cereal is the usual culprit! Fold just until coated—overworking compacts them. Also, ensure you’re using fresh marshmallows (stale ones seize up).

Q: Can I use fresh cherries?
A: I don’t recommend it—their moisture makes treats soggy. Opt for dried or freeze-dried cherries folded in, or add maraschino cherries (pat DRY and chop) after step 4.

Q: Chocolate won’t set! Help!
A: Did you add shortening? It stabilizes the chocolate. If it’s humid, chill the pan. If chocolate is still tacky after 2 hours, remelt with 1 extra tsp shortening.

Q: Can I freeze these?
A> Absolutely! Freeze UN-cut in the pan, wrapped in plastic + foil. Thaw 1 hour before slicing. Cut squares freeze beautifully in ziplocks for 3 months.

Nutritional Nibbles (Per Square)

Calories: ~180 | Carbs: 26g | Fat: 7g | Sugar: 16g
Note: Using sugar-free Jell-O & dark chocolate reduces sugar to ~9g.

Final Thoughts:

There’s something beautifully full-circle about a treat that starts with childhood joy and grows up right alongside you. These Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispies Treats are proof that the simplest ingredients—marshmallows, cereal, a splash of whimsy—can transform into something magical with just a little creativity (and chocolate). Whether you’re whipping them up for a special occasion or just need a sweet escape from the everyday, these bars are a delicious reminder that fun and flavor go hand in hand. So go ahead—stir up a little nostalgia, sprinkle in your own twist, and share the sweetness. From my kitchen to yours, happy crunching!