If you’re looking for a playful, sweet treat that’s bursting with strawberry flavor and totally irresistible, I’m excited to share this Strawberry Rice Krispie Heart Treats Recipe with you! These heart-shaped delights are perfect for sharing with loved ones or just indulging yourself. I absolutely love how they bring a nostalgic twist to the classic Rice Krispie treat, with a fun fruity pop you’ll find hard to resist. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through everything to make these perfectly every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Real Strawberry Flavor: The freeze-dried strawberry powder gives these treats a vibrant, natural fruit taste that’s not too sweet.
- Fun & Festive Heart Shapes: Perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or whenever you want to show a little love with your dessert.
- Quick & Easy to Make: Ready in under 30 minutes and requires just a few straightforward ingredients.
- Soft, Chewy Texture with Marshmallow Pockets: The trick of saving some mini marshmallows to toss in at the end creates little bursts of gooey goodness you’ll adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Strawberry Rice Krispie Heart Treats Recipe comes from the simple ingredients that blend really well: soft marshmallows, buttery richness, crispy cereal, and the vibrant freeze-dried strawberries. When shopping, grab good-quality freeze-dried strawberries as they make all the difference in flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted allows you to control the saltiness, plus it melts smoothly to coat the cereal just right.
- Mini marshmallows: The smaller size melts quickly and helps you achieve the chewy softness I love in Rice Krispie treats.
- Freeze dried strawberries: Powdered finely, this is what infuses the strawberry flavor without adding moisture.
- Rice Krispie cereal: The classic crispy snap that’s essential for that satisfying crunch.
Variations
I love how this recipe is a blank canvas for you to get creative! Whether you’re tailoring it for dietary needs or just mixing up the flavors, it’s super easy to make it your own.
- Chocolate Drizzle: I once drizzled melted white or dark chocolate over the hearts after they cooled, adding extra sweetness and a gorgeous look.
- Use Different Flavored Freeze-Dried Fruits: Try raspberry, blueberry, or even mango powder for a different twist — it’s fun to experiment!
- Gluten-Free Option: Ensure your Rice Krispies or any rice cereal you use is gluten-free; it worked perfectly for my gluten-sensitive friends.
- Vegan Version: Swap butter for coconut oil and use vegan marshmallows — just know the texture might be a little different but still tasty.
How to Make Strawberry Rice Krispie Heart Treats Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
I always start by greasing a large cookie sheet with a swipe of shortening to make sure nothing sticks later. While the pan’s ready, pulse your freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until you get a fine powder — this step is key to evenly distributing that beautiful strawberry flavor throughout.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Marshmallows
Next, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. As soon as it’s glistening, add 7 cups of mini marshmallows (but save 1 cup for later). Stir steadily — it’ll only take about a minute for the marshmallows to melt into a luscious, sticky mixture. Don’t rush this — low and steady makes for the best texture.
Step 3: Add Strawberry Powder
Sprinkle in the freeze-dried strawberry powder and stir well to combine. You’ll see the marshmallow mix turn a sweet pink shade, and the aroma will have you excited to dig in.
Step 4: Combine with Cereal and Toss in Marshmallows
Turn the heat off and add in the 6 cups of Rice Krispie cereal. Fold gently but thoroughly so every crispy bit gets coated. Then, sprinkle in the reserved cup of mini marshmallows — these won’t fully melt, giving your treats lovely marshmallow “pockets.” This little trick adds amazing texture that my family goes crazy for.
Step 5: Press Into the Pan and Shape
Immediately transfer the sticky mixture to your prepared pan. I like to use a bit of shortening on my clean hands to press everything down evenly without getting stuck. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes — it’ll firm up just enough to cut without crumbling.
Step 6: Cut Into Hearts
Flip the entire sheet of treats onto a piece of parchment paper, then grab your favorite heart-shaped cookie cutter. Press the cutter out onto the treats as close as you can to minimize scrap — you’ll get about 24 small hearts depending on your cutter size. Pro tip: sometimes I trim the edges to sneak in a couple extra hearts!
Step 7: Enjoy and Store
Time for the best part — savor them! I keep mine fresh and soft by storing in a large gallon-sized Ziploc bag. They usually stay perfect for a few days, though I doubt they last that long around here!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Rice Krispie Heart Treats Recipe
- Freeze-Dry Powder Consistency: Make sure your strawberry powder is super fine for an even pink color and flavor in every bite—I usually pulse it twice just to be sure.
- Prevent Sticking to Hands: Rubbing a bit of shortening on your hands before pressing down the treats saves you from sticky fingers and helps get a smooth surface.
- Don’t Overheat Marshmallows: Melt them on medium heat and keep stirring — too hot and they can burn or get sticky in the wrong way, which makes spreading tricky.
- Cut While Slightly Warm: Waiting too long makes cutting harder, so I usually flip and cut while they still have a slight warmth for cleaner edges.
How to Serve Strawberry Rice Krispie Heart Treats Recipe
Garnishes
I like to dust mine with a tiny sprinkle of powdered sugar or even dip the edges in white chocolate and then in colorful sugar crystals for extra flair. It makes these treats look like little show-stoppers, especially for parties.
Side Dishes
Pair these with a glass of cold milk (always a winner!) or even a light fruit salad to keep things fresh. These treats also complement afternoon tea or coffee beautifully — such a fun contrast of textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve wrapped them individually in cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons for a darling gift or stacked them in a pretty box for a picnic date. You can also arrange several hearts on a platter with edible flowers or fresh strawberry slices for a pretty centerpiece dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Strawberry Rice Krispie Heart Treats fresh and chewy, store them in an airtight container or a sealed Ziploc bag at room temperature. I found they stay soft for about 3-4 days, perfect for weekday snacks or sharing with friends without worrying about drying out.
Freezing
If you want to keep them longer, freeze the uncut sheet wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. When ready, thaw at room temp before cutting into hearts. I tried freezing once and was happy to see they keep their flavor and chewiness almost perfectly.
Reheating
I don’t usually reheat these since they’re perfect cold or at room temperature, but if you want that just-made softness, a quick 5-7 second zap in the microwave revives the marshmallow gooeyness wonderfully. Just be careful not to overdo it or they get too soft and sticky.
FAQs
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Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?
You absolutely can! Just chop the regular marshmallows into smaller pieces to help them melt evenly. Mini marshmallows just speed up the melting process and create that perfect chewy texture, but chopped regular marshmallows work fine in a pinch.
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Where can I find freeze dried strawberries?
Freeze dried strawberries are often found in health food stores, specialty grocery stores, or online. Be sure to get the plain, unsweetened kind for true strawberry flavor and to avoid adding extra sugar to your treats.
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Can I make these in shapes other than hearts?
Definitely! While hearts are adorable, you can use any cookie cutter that fits your occasion — stars, flowers, or even letters for personalized treats. Just keep in mind that smaller shapes mean more cutting time.
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What’s the best way to prevent sticking when shaping?
Coating your hands with a bit of shortening or lightly spraying with non-stick spray definitely helps prevent the sticky marshmallow mixture from clinging to your fingers and tools. Also, working quickly right after mixing ensures they’re still pliable.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Strawberry Rice Krispie Heart Treats Recipe has become one of my go-to feel-good desserts. I love how it’s simple enough to pull off quickly, yet feels special with the rosy hue and fun heart shapes. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing for a sweet gift, or just craving a nostalgic snack with a strawberry twist, these treats won’t disappoint. Give them a try — I’m pretty sure you’ll be making them again and again, just like I do!
Print
Strawberry Rice Krispie Heart Treats Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 heart-shaped treats
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts recipe combines the classic crunchy and gooey texture of traditional rice krispie treats with a fruity twist from freeze-dried strawberries. Perfectly shaped into charming hearts, they make a delightful and fun dessert or snack for special occasions or anytime you crave a sweet, nostalgic treat.
Ingredients
Marshmallow Mixture
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 cups mini marshmallows, divided (save 1 cup for tossing in at the end)
- 1 oz bag freeze dried strawberries, pulsed to a fine powder in a food processor
Cereal
- 6 cups rice krispie cereal
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Swipe a large cookie sheet with shortening to prevent sticking and set it aside for later use.
- Melt the butter: Place a large pot over medium heat and melt the unsalted butter until fully liquefied.
- Incorporate marshmallows: Add 7 cups of mini marshmallows to the melted butter and stir continuously with a spatula until the marshmallows are completely melted, approximately 1 minute.
- Add strawberry powder: Stir in the freeze dried strawberry powder thoroughly to infuse the marshmallow mixture with fruity flavor.
- Mix in cereal and reserved marshmallows: Turn off the heat and add the rice krispie cereal. Stir until every piece is evenly coated with the marshmallow mixture. Then gently fold in the remaining 1 cup of mini marshmallows; these will remain partially unmelted, adding little pockets of marshmallow texture.
- Shape the treats: Immediately transfer the mixture into the prepared cookie sheet. Using hands lightly greased with shortening, press the mixture evenly and firmly to a flat layer. Allow the mixture to cool and firm up for about 10-15 minutes.
- Flip and cut shapes: Once firm, flip the rice krispie sheet out onto a sheet of parchment paper. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts closely together, maximizing the number of treats you can create.
- Store and serve: Enjoy the strawberry rice krispie treat hearts immediately or store them in a large gallon Ziploc bag to keep them fresh and soft for several days.
Notes
- Using shortening on hands helps press the mixture down without sticking.
- The reserved mini marshmallows added at the end create delightful marshmallow pockets within the treats.
- The number of hearts you get depends on the size of your cookie cutter.
- Letting the treats cool slightly helps them firm up for easier cutting.
- Store treats in an airtight container or zip-top bag to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heart-shaped treat
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
