These Heart Shaped Rice Krispies Valentine Treats are dipped in white chocolate and festive pink sprinkles for chewy and delicious treats. With just 6 ingredients, this no-bake cereal treat recipe is perfect to share with those you love. Gluten-free and dairy-free.
If you need a sweet treat to celebrate Valentine's Day, this is it. I love this easy recipe and its simple ingredients.
The best part? The white chocolate coating is a game-changer! With festive sprinkles, you'll easily have the cutest Valentine's Day dessert that requires very little effort.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- A fun dessert for Valentine's Day
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options
- Great for Valentine's Day parties
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the main ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Crispy rice cereal - If these heart-shaped desserts need to be completely gluten-free, make sure to purchase crispy rice cereal that is labeled gluten-free. Original Rice Krispies cereal contains malt and is not gluten-free.
For these Valentine's rice krispie treats to be vegan, choose a rice cereal that is labeled vegan. Not all rice cereal is vegan. Nature's Path and One Degree Organics Foods make crispy rice cereal that is both gluten-free and vegan.
Mini marshmallows - For gluten-free crispy treats, ensure that the ingredient label lists that your marshmallows are gluten-free. For vegan treats, make sure your marshmallows are labeled vegan. The Dandies vegan marshmallows brand is also completely gluten-free.
Vegan butter - To make this recipe dairy-free or vegan, use vegan butter. Regular unsalted butter is also an option if dairy is not a concern.
Vanilla extract - While not in the classic rice krispie treats recipe, vanilla enhances the other ingredients for the best flavor.
White chocolate chips - Choose vegan white chocolate chips for dairy-free or vegan rice krispie hearts. I like using EnjoyLife brand.
Sprinkles - Choose your favorite Valentine's Day-themed sprinkles. Not all sprinkles are gluten-free and/or vegan. Make sure to read ingredient labels to meet specific dietary needs. I love these Supernatural Pink Pop sprinkles.
Ingredient note
Fresh marshmallows are best for making cereal treats. Old marshmallows lack moisture content and will not melt down as well. This can result in a lumpy mixture or harder crispy treats.
Step-by-step instructions
Before you start: Spray a 9X13 square baking dish with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper or wax paper. Place the rice cereal in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Step 1: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat and add the marshmallows. Once melted down, remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
Step 2: Transfer the marshmallow mixture to the mixing bowl. Stir to coat. (Spray that spatula with cooking spray!) Transfer the cereal mixture to the prepared baking dish and press it into an even layer.
Step 3: Allow to cool completely before lifting the cooled mixture out of the pan and transferring it to a cutting board. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart shapes. Don't forget those scrap pieces - they can be combined, flattened, and cut as well.
Step 4: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until most of the chips have melted.
Step 5: Dip one edge of each heart rice krispie treat in the melted chocolate and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
Step 6: Sprinkle with decorative sprinkles.
Helpful tips
- Spray the spatula with non-stick cooking spray before stirring the marshmallow mixture with the cereal.
- Dip the heart cookie cutter in water between cutting shapes to help keep it clean.
How to store
Store these Valentine rice krispie treats in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also wrap each heart-shaped treat individually with plastic wrap.
More Valentine's Day dessert recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Rice Krispies Valentine Treats
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons vegan butter or unsalted butter if not dairy-free
- 6 cups (10oz) mini marshmallows choose vegan if needed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 cups gluten-free crispy rice cereal
- 1 ½ cups (9oz) vegan white chocolate chips
- ½ cup Valentine's themed sprinkles ensure that they are gluten-free/vegan
Instructions
- Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and line with parchment paper or wax paper. Place the rice cereal in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.
- When butter is partially melted, add the marshmallows and stir frequently until melted down, about 5-10 minutes. Once melted down, remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Transfer marshmallow mixture to the mixing bowl. Stir until all cereal has been coated. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. With a piece of parchment or wax paper, press mixture into an even layer.
- Allow to cool completely before lifting the cooled mixture out of the pan and transferring it to a cutting board. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out heart treats. Scrap pieces can be combined, flattened and cut as well.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips for 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until most of the chips have melted. Stir until completely melted.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip one edge of each heart rice krispie treat in the chocolate and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with decorative sprinkles. Repeat until all hearts have been dipped.
Brynne
These are SO cute! Perfect for a school v-day celebration.
Tessa
Thank you! I agree!