Colorful Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats, with gooey marshmallows and crispy cereal in all the colors of a rainbow, are sure to make them smile!
This adorable dessert is perfect for baby showers and unicorn parties as well as for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and spring.
Traditional rice krispies treats are always a great dessert choice, but rainbow rice krispies treats are even more fun! They are basically the same treats but made in individual layers and formed into a rainbow shape. You can even make puffy clouds on the platter with cotton candy.
Everything You Need To Make Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats
Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
These ingredients needed are the same ones you use for classic rice krispies treats with the addition of food coloring.
- Butter: We use salted butter to help the marshmallows turn into a creamy texture so that they can coat the Rice Krispies. You can use unsalted butter, but you’ll want to add a little salt for flavor.
- Marshmallows: You’ll need a total of 60 regular marshmallows to make these treats. The different layers require different amounts of marshmallows. If you want to use mini marshmallows, we’ve included those measurements in the recipe card as well.
- Food Coloring: We prefer using gel food coloring because you get a deeper color with less food coloring. But you can use food coloring drops too. For purple, use red with a little blue. For orange, use yellow with a little red. And for pink, use a little red.
- Rice Krispies: You’ll need 7 1/2 cups total, with each layer needing different amounts.
How To Make Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats
Making these rainbow rice krispies treats takes a little extra time since each layer has to be mixed up separately, but they are so cute that it’s totally worth the time!
- Mix: Melt the butter and marshmallows and tint with food coloring. Stir in the rice krispies. Keep in mind that the layers have varying amounts of ingredients since the outer layers need to cover a larger area.
- Form: Use the first color to form a tube. Continue making different color layers of rice krispies treats and layering them on top of the other colors.
- Cut: Allow the treats to cool and set before cutting them into slices.
Flavoring
We made the classic rice krispies treats, but it would be fun to add different flavors to the colors of the rainbow! You could stir in a little extract or flavoring oil to each layer or choose one flavor for the whole rainbow. Here are a few flavor suggestions:
- Pink: strawberry extract
- Orange: orange extract
- Yellow: lemon or pineapple flavoring
- Green: lime or green apple flavoring
- Blue: blueberry or blue raspberry flavoring
- Purple: grape flavoring
Storage
- Countertop: You can store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days. This is great for when you want to bring the treats to share or like them softer.
- Refrigerator: If you want them to last a little longer, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to six days. You can enjoy them chilled or allow them to come to room temperature before eating them.
- Freezer: For extended storage, place them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six weeks. Allow them to thaw at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats
You can add more food coloring to each layer but keep in mind that the rice krispies treats may start to taste like the food coloring.
Yes, you’ll want to use an equal amount of ingredients in each layer to make the colors equal in thickness. Use 1 tablespoon of butter, 10 marshmallows, and 1 1/2 cups of rice krispies, plus food coloring. Press each colored layer on top of the previous one in a greased 8×8-inch pan.
More Rainbow Recipes
These Sunset Slushies are a pretty layered sunrise drink that everyone can enjoy!
Our Pot of Gold Cookie Cups have a chocolate caramel candy stuffed inside with a rainbow on top!
This Cadbury Mini Eggs Layer Cake is perfect for Easter and spring celebrations.
Funfetti Ooey Gooey Bars are a delicious combo of cake mix cookies and Fruity Pebbles Bars!
Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats
Equipment
Ingredients
Purple Layer
- ½ tablespoon butter
- 8 regular marshmallows or 1 cup mini marshmallows
- purple gel food coloring
- 1 cup rice krispies
Blue Layer
- ½ tablespoon butter
- 8 regular marshmallows or 1 cup mini marshmallows
- blue gel food coloring
- 1 cup rice krispies
Green Layer
- ¾ tablespoon butter
- 10 regular marshmallows or 1 1/3 cups mini marshmallows
- green gel food coloring
- 1 ¼ cups rice krispies
Yellow Layer
- ¾ tablespoon butter
- 10 regular marshmallows or 1 1/3 cups mini marshmallows
- yellow gel food coloring
- 1 ¼ cups rice krispies
Orange Layer
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 12 regular marshmallows or 1 2/3 cups mini marshmallows
- orange gel food coloring
- 1 ½ cups rice krispies
Pink Layer
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 12 regular marshmallows or 1 2/3 cups mini marshmallows
- red gel food coloring
- 1 ½ cups rice krispies
Instructions
- Start with the purple layer. Melt the butter in the microwave. Add the marshmallows and stir to coat with the melted butter. Microwave for 30-45 seconds. Stir until smooth.
- Add the food coloring and stir until the color is uniform.
- Stir in the rice krispies until coated.
- Remove from the bowl and place on a silicone mat. Form a long tube (about 12 inches) for the purple layer. Coat your hands lightly with butter or olive oil if it is too sticky.
- Then repeat the steps with the blue, green, yellow, orange, and pink layers. Place each layer over the purple tube. You can shape them into rectangles and then lift the rectangle onto the rainbow and use your hands to shape it.
- Allow the rice krispies treats to cool and set. Then cut them into rainbow slices.
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