Get the tips and tricks to making the most PERFECT Cocoa Krispie Treats. Thick and chewy, these bars are kid-friendly, but adults love them too!
One thing you’ll learn about me if you spend any time on my website, is that I love Rice Krispie Treats. After making these Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats, try my Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats!
Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats
Yes, I make some incredible desserts. This Carrot Cake Cheesecake Cake is ridiculously good. These bites of English Toffee are amazing.
But it’s the draw of the ooey gooey marshmallow that lures me in every time.
And I was shocked when I realized I had not yet shared a simple, but perfect, Chocolate Rice Krispie Treat recipe!
Here’s what makes them special:
- These Cocoa Krispie Treats are thick, which means they’re also extra chewy. We all know that chewy texture is the best part!
- They’re chocolate—need I say more?! If a bowl of Cocoa Krispies is your favorite breakfast indulgence, you’re going to flip for these Chocolate Krispie Treats.
- They’re also versatile! You can cut these Cocoa Krispie Treats into squares, or you can follow my instructions to make them into the shape of footballs for game day get-togethers.
Important Ingredient Notes
- Unsalted butter – Using unsalted butter gives you more control over the flavor of the recipe.
- Mini marshmallows – My little secret is to melt some of the marshmallows and add the rest in with the Cocoa Krispies. Then you get that amazing ooey-gooey marshmallow pull when you bite in!
- Pure vanilla extract – Skip the imitation vanilla and go for the real stuff for the best flavor. You can use our recipe to make homemade vanilla extract.
- Cocoa Krispies cereal – You can’t make Cocoa Krispie Treats without them! You can also swap out for Cocoa Pebbles if you prefer, just note the texture of the two cereals can be different.
How to Make Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
Prepare: Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.
Make the Marshmallow Mixture:
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted, add all but 1 cup of the marshmallows.
- Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring until the marshmallows are melted and smooth.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
Form the Cocoa Krispie Treats: Fold in the chocolate cereal and the reserved marshmallows, then transfer to the prepared baking dish and gently press the mixture into the pan.
Finish: Cool for about 1 hour, then cut and enjoy!
How to Make Football Shaped Cocoa Krispie Treats
Follow the recipe for chocolate crispy treats, but press them into a 13×9 baking dish instead of a square dish.
- Using a football shaped cookie cutter, cut out your shapes. (I actually used an egg shaped cookie cutter that I bent into a football shape).
- Remove all the excess krispie treats (but don’t discard, eat it!).
- Melt 1 cup of dark chocolate wafers according to package directions.
- Dip the tops of the rice krispy treats into the chocolate and place them on parchment paper, chocolate side up.
- Once the football has hardened, melt 1/4 cup of white chocolate and put it in a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off (for easy piping).
- Pipe laces onto the football.
- Allow to set, about 15 minutes.
More Rice Krispie Treat Recipes
- Chewy and delicious, these peanut butter white chocolate Avalanche Krispie Bars are better than the original. Copycat version of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
- Thick and chewy Mint Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats decorated for Halloween. Fun and festive Frankenstein Krispie Treats!
- Easy to assemble Turkey Rice Krispie Treats decorated for Thanksgiving!
- These Easy, Gourmet Caramel and Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats are so fun to make AND eat! Perfect for birthdays, bake sales, and even a fun snack the kids can help make!
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Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 16 ounce mini marshmallows divided
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 cups cocoa krispies cereal
Instructions
- Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, add in all but 1 cup of the marshmallows. Reduce heat to low and continue stirring until completely melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Add the chocolate cereal and the remaining 1 cup of marshmallows.
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Press GENTLY with your fingertips just until completely spread out (the harder you pack them in, the harder they are to eat).
- Allow to set, about 1 hour. Cut and enjoy!
Notes
- Press the mixture GENTLY into the pan. If you use a lot of pressure, the Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats will be hard instead of soft and chewy.
- If you’re making football shapes, coat the cookie cutter with nonstick spray to keep it from getting sticky.
- Save the butter wrapper! You can use it to press the Cocoa Krispie mixture into the pan. The residual butter on the wrapper will keep it from sticking and using the wrapper to press will keep your fingers from getting sticky.
- Store Chocolate Rice krispie Treats in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature for up to one week. Or freeze krispie treats for up to 3 onths.
They are sticky but delicious. Everyone loved them. Did anyone have a lot of marshmallows at the bottom of the krispy treat? Like the bottom was pure white? Next time am going to try 6 1/2 cups of cereal or 7
Could you mix melted chocolate into the mix after you’ve coated the rice krispies with the marshmallow cream, would be like a Nestles crunch bar but with Marshmallow? I would also use regular rice krispies instead of the cocoa krispies.
I made these according to the recipe. They were too sticky and too sweet.
That means they were perfect 🙂 SOrry you didn’t enjoy them.
Agree 100%. No such thing as too sweet and sticky in my opinion. I love these. Thanks for the recipe!
I’ve made these chocolate rice krispies treats and they’re just as amazing as the original! I was wondering if you can add peanut butter to the chocolate rice krispies treats and if so, how much? I’ve also made the carrot cake cheesecake cake and it was a huge success!! Some of the carrot strips turned green though and I was wondering why. It tasted amazing though! Thanks for sharing your lovely recipes! Gratefully, Mary
Cani use marshmellow creame, or/and chocolate chips
Can i use marshmelloe creame? Fluff? Also can i put s fee chocolate chips?
Hello Aimee, how much is 6 cup to gram? I’m new to baking so it will be helpful to know how much cereal I will need to buy!
What a cute idea to turn them into different shapes for different holidays!
How yummy these turned out!
Your rice krispie treat recipe is the best! I love the chocolate version now too!
you had me at chocolate! While my footballs didnt turn out as cute as yours im sure they tasted just as good! fun recipe for the kids to make themselves. messy but fun!
These treats were a huge hit in our house! The whole pan was gone in minutes! I can’t wait to make them again.
Just made them and they’re great. Only thing I added was I drizzled white chocolate over the top because they’re going to a Church Linger Longer and I just made them prettier.
Love the chocolate rice krispies in this! Such a fun and yummy change from the original.
These treats are just perfect! I love using the chocolate krispies for a change up to the regular, my family loves it!