Easy No-Bake Rice Krispie Turkey Treats: A Fun Thanksgiving Dessert for Kids!
This Thanksgiving, delight your family and friends, especially the little ones, with these incredibly easy-to-make, no-bake Rice Krispie Turkey Treats. They are guaranteed to be the star of your dessert table and a joyous activity for the entire family!
When it comes to holiday baking, especially for Thanksgiving, we often find ourselves searching for recipes that are both festive and fuss-free. While elaborate pies and cakes have their place, sometimes the simplest treats bring the most joy and create lasting memories. Everyone knows how wonderfully easy it is to make classic homemade Rice Krispie treats. You probably whip them up for your family quite often, but have you ever considered decorating them for a special occasion?
These delightful Rice Krispie Turkey Treats take that simple, beloved classic and transform it into an adorable, themed dessert that’s perfect for the autumn season and Thanksgiving celebrations. The best part? They are incredibly easy and fun to make, making them an ideal project for kids of all ages. Your children are going to have an absolute blast crafting these sweet turkeys, turning a regular snack into a charming edible centerpiece. They’re not just a dessert; they’re a fantastic activity that fosters creativity and brings families together in the kitchen, without the stress of an oven.
Why These Turkey Treats are a Must-Make for Thanksgiving
Effortless & No-Bake Convenience
In the whirlwind of Thanksgiving preparations, a no-bake dessert is a true lifesaver. No need to preheat the oven, no waiting for things to rise or bake perfectly. If you already know how to make the basic Rice Krispie treats, you’re more than halfway to creating these festive delights. This convenience means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the holiday with loved ones. It also makes them a perfect last-minute addition to your Thanksgiving dessert spread, offering a lighthearted and playful alternative to traditional pies.
Kid-Friendly Fun for Everyone
One of the biggest advantages of these turkey treats is their child-friendly nature. From mixing the cereal to pressing it into the pan, and especially the decorating phase, kids can actively participate in every step. Even the littlest hands can help arrange the candy corn feathers or stick on the candy eyes. This hands-on experience not only entertains them but also instills a sense of accomplishment, making the treats even more special. Imagine their excitement as they watch their edible turkeys come to life!
Perfect for Fall Gatherings and Holiday Spirit
The autumn months are filled with cozy gatherings, and these Rice Krispie Turkey Treats are a fantastic addition to any fall-themed party or school event. Their playful appearance instantly brightens the mood and adds a touch of whimsy to your holiday offerings. They perfectly capture the spirit of Thanksgiving – warm, inviting, and full of charm. Whether served at a large family dinner or a small potluck, these treats are sure to bring smiles and compliments.
Crafting Your Rice Krispie Turkey Treats: The Simple Steps
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You’ll start with the classic Rice Krispie treat base, then unleash your creativity with a handful of candies to bring your turkeys to life. It’s a delightful process that requires minimal effort for maximum fun and delicious results.
The Foundation: Classic Rice Krispie Treats
Creating the base is as simple as ever. You’ll need Rice Krispies cereal, butter, and mini marshmallows. The process involves gently melting the butter, then stirring in the marshmallows until they’re smooth and gooey. Once melted, carefully fold in the Rice Krispies cereal, ensuring every piece is coated with that sticky, sweet marshmallow goodness. Press this mixture evenly into a prepared pan and let it cool. The key to perfect Rice Krispie treats is not to over-compress them when pressing into the pan; a gentle, even pressure will result in a more tender treat. Allowing them to cool completely, usually for about an hour, ensures they hold their shape beautifully for cutting.
The Fun Part: Decorating Your Turkeys
Once your treats are set and cooled, the real artistic fun begins! Use a round cookie cutter or even the rim of a glass to cut out circular shapes – these will be the bodies of your turkeys. Don’t worry about the leftover scraps; simply press them together and cut out more circles until you’ve used all the mixture. Now, gather your decorations: mini peanut butter cups for the heads, edible candy eyes for personality, red M&M’s for the wattle/beak, and colorful candy corn for the iconic tail feathers. A little bit of icing acts as the “glue” to secure all these adorable features. Place the peanut butter cup at the top center of each circle, attach the candy eyes, position a red M&M sideways below the eyes, and then fan out pieces of candy corn at the back to mimic a turkey’s vibrant plumage. Get creative with different colors of candy corn to make each turkey unique!
Rice Krispie Turkey Treats Ingredients
- Rice Krispies cereal
- butter
- mini marshmallows
- mini peanut butter cups
- candy eyes
- red M&M’s
- candy corn
Essential Supplies for Your Turkey Treat Project
Wilton 9×13 PanRice Krispies CerealNesting Circles Cookie CuttersCandy EyesBrach’s Candy CornREESE’S Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures
Creative Variations and Gifting Ideas
Beyond Classic Cereal
While classic Rice Krispies are perfect for this recipe, don’t feel limited! If you’re looking to change things up a bit, consider using chocolate Rice Krispies for a richer, more indulgent flavor profile. Or, get creative with any other cereal your kids love – perhaps a fruity loop cereal for a burst of color and a different texture? Your imagination is truly the only limit when it comes to the base of these treats, allowing for endless customization and fun flavor combinations.
Dipping for Decadence
For those who love to take their treats to the next level of decadence, consider dipping your circular Rice Krispie treats into melted chocolate before decorating. A coating of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate would add an extra layer of flavor and a sophisticated touch to these otherwise simple treats. Allow the chocolate to set slightly before adding the candies to ensure everything adheres beautifully.
Sharing the Holiday Spirit
These Rice Krispie Turkey Treats aren’t just for your own dessert table; they make fantastic homemade gifts! Pop these adorable turkeys into small cellophane bags, tie them with a cute fall-themed ribbon, and you have instant, charming presents. They are a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer to neighbors, coworkers, teachers, or your kids’ classmates. It’s a thoughtful, personal, and undeniably cute way to say “Happy Thanksgiving” and show your appreciation during the festive season.
Rice Krispie Turkey Treats
Author: Jaclyn
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 Tablespoons icing any variety
- mini peanut butter cups
- candy eyes
- red M&M’s
- candy corn
Instructions
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Prep a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. This will prevent your treats from sticking and make removal easier.
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In a large, non-stick pot, melt butter on medium heat. Once melted, carefully stir in the mini marshmallows, continuing to stir frequently until they are fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the Rice Krispies cereal, mixing thoroughly until every piece is well combined with the marshmallow mixture. Pour the sticky mixture into your prepared 9×13 pan. Using a piece of parchment paper or a buttered spatula, press the mixture down evenly into the pan to form a compact layer. Allow to cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to cut.
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Once cooled, use a round cookie cutter (or any other circular item, such as the rim of a drinking glass) to cut circles out of the treats. To maximize your treats, re-shape any leftover mixture by pressing it together firmly, and continue cutting out circles until you’ve used up all of the mixture. This ensures no delicious treat goes to waste!
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Now for the fun part: decorating! Use a small dab of icing (any variety will do, a simple vanilla or chocolate works well) to attach a mini peanut butter cup to the upper center of each Rice Krispie circle – this will be your turkey’s head. Then, use more icing to attach two candy eyes onto the peanut butter cup. For the beak and waddle, attach a red M&M sideways below the eyes. Finally, arrange several pieces of candy corn at the back of the Rice Krispie circle, using icing to secure them, to act as the turkey’s vibrant tail feathers. Repeat for all your turkey treats!
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More Easy Thanksgiving Treats:
Looking for more simple and delicious treats to complete your Thanksgiving feast? Explore these other delightful recipes:
- Turkey Suckers
- Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
- Turkey Cupcakes
- Crockpot Apple Cider
- Apple Pie Cupcakes
Pin Rice Krispie Turkey Treats for Later:
Don’t forget to save this adorable recipe for your holiday planning! Pin this image to your favorite Thanksgiving or dessert boards on Pinterest so you can easily find it when it’s time to whip up some festive fun.
These charming Turkey Rice Krispie Treats are destined to be a huge hit this Thanksgiving, particularly with children. Not only will the kids have an absolute blast decorating these festive treats, but they will undoubtedly love eating them even more. They embody the joy and sweetness of the holiday, offering a simple yet memorable way to celebrate. So, gather your ingredients, invite your little helpers, and get ready to create some holiday magic. Enjoy every bite and have a truly happy and delicious Thanksgiving!