Irresistibly Fun & Easy Rice Krispy Treat Gingerbread Men: Your Ultimate Holiday Guide

There’s a universally acknowledged truth in most homes: Rice Krispy Treats are a timeless classic that brings smiles to faces young and old. These delightful no-bake squares hold a special place in our hearts, evoking feelings of childhood nostalgia and simple joy. As the festive season approaches, transforming these beloved treats into charming Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats offers a fantastic way to infuse holiday spirit into your kitchen. They’re not just incredibly fun to make, especially with kids, but they also serve as wonderful edible gifts or festive decorations for your holiday spread.

My journey into creating these adorable Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats began with an exciting challenge from Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® and the incredible community at TheMotherhood.com. The goal was to develop a festive holiday treat that families could easily make together, fostering creativity and delicious memories. As someone passionate about edible crafts and kid-friendly recipes, this opportunity was a perfect fit, allowing me to combine my love for simple baking with the magic of holiday crafting.

Beyond Gingerbread Men: Crafting Festive Tree Trimmer Treats

In addition to our featured Gingerbread Men, I had the pleasure of demonstrating another delightful holiday treat: the Tree Trimmer Treats. During a live stream video with The Motherhood, I showcased how to bring both of these festive creations to life. The Tree Trimmer Treats are designed to resemble miniature Christmas ornaments, offering endless possibilities for colorful and imaginative decoration.

You can find the official recipe for the Tree Trimmer Treats directly on the Rice Krispies website. To ensure your success and make the process even smoother, here are some invaluable tips for crafting these delightful edible ornaments, all of which were thoroughly demonstrated in our live video session:

Essential Tips for Perfect Tree Trimmer Treats

Prepare Ornament Hangers First: It’s crucial to prepare your ornament hangers before shaping the treats. The Rice Krispy mixture needs to be warm and pliable for easy molding, so having the hangers ready beforehand is essential for a smooth process.
Crafting Easy Marshmallow Hangers: The simplest method for creating these edible hangers involves miniature marshmallows and licorice whips. Gently squeeze a miniature marshmallow between your fingers to flatten it slightly. Then, hold a licorice whip as close to the end as possible for maximum control. Twist and poke the licorice through the marshmallow, then thread the other end through the hole you just created, forming a loop. This creates a sturdy yet edible hanger for your treats.
Vanilla Frosting as Edible Glue: For attaching various candies to the outside of your Tree Trimmer Treats, vanilla frosting works wonders as a sweet and effective adhesive. It sets quickly and provides a neutral base that won’t interfere with the flavors of your candies.
Simple Powdered Sugar Glaze for Vibrant Decorations: Elevate your decorating game with a quick and easy powdered sugar glaze. Simply mix powdered sugar with just enough milk (or water) to achieve a brushable, paint-like consistency. Apply this glaze to the treats with a pastry brush, then immediately sprinkle with festive jimmies, nonpareils, or decorator sugar. For an extra pop of color, incorporate gel food coloring into your glaze to create a rainbow of decorating options.

Now, let’s dive into the star of the show: the festive and flavorful Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats. These adorable figures are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering or as a charming homemade gift. To ensure your success in crafting these gingerbread-inspired delights, here are some detailed tips:

Pro Tips for Crafting Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats

Choose a Metal Cookie Cutter: When cutting out your gingerbread men shapes, I highly recommend using a metal cookie cutter over a plastic one. Metal cutters offer superior strength and stability, allowing for cleaner, more defined cuts through the dense Rice Krispy mixture. While buttering or spraying the cookie cutter is optional, I’ve found it unnecessary as long as the treat recipe is followed precisely.
Perfecting the Treat Consistency: The ratio of cereal to marshmallow is key. Too much cereal can result in a dry, crumbly treat, while an excess of marshmallow can make them excessively sticky and difficult to handle. Always adhere to the measurements provided in the recipe for the ideal texture and moldability.
Almond Bark for Superior Coating: For the delicious chocolate coating, opt for almond bark instead of regular baking chocolate or chocolate chips. Almond bark is specifically formulated as a candy coating, providing a smoother melt, an easier application, and a quicker, firmer set, resulting in a professional-looking finish.
Creative Decoration Ideas: The fun truly begins with decorating! You can personalize these gingerbread men with an array of edible embellishments. I love using colorful gumdrops for buttons, small round candies for eyes or cheerful polka dots, and both white and black decorator icing for intricate details like rick-rack patterns, smiles, or even tiny bow ties. Let your imagination run wild!
Lollipop Sticks for Easy Handling: For presenting your Gingerbread Men as pops, use lollipop sticks rather than wider popsicle sticks. Lollipop sticks are thinner, making them easier to insert into the treats without causing them to crack or break. You can typically find these in the cake decorating section of most craft stores or discount department stores.
The Measuring Cup Melting Trick: Here’s a game-changing tip for melting your chocolate almond bark: use a large, glass measuring cup with a handle. This ingenious vessel provides a comfortable handle for easy gripping and allows you to tilt the cup, creating a deeper pool of melted chocolate. This enables you to dip and coat the entire surface of your treat in a single, smooth swoop, minimizing mess and ensuring even coverage.

These detailed tips, along with visual demonstrations, were all part of the video session mentioned earlier, providing a comprehensive guide to mastering these holiday treats. Now, let’s get to the full recipe for these delightful Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats!

Rice Krispy Treat Gingerbread Men Recipe

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces
1 (10-ounce) package of marshmallows (about 40 large marshmallows)
6 level cups of Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal
1 package chocolate almond bark (vanilla almond bark can also be used for a lighter look)
Assorted gumdrops and colorful small candies for decoration
White and black decorator icing tubes with fine tips
Miniature marshmallows (for eyes on circle faces)
Lollipop sticks
Metal gingerbread man and circle cookie cutters
Non-stick cooking spray
Waxed paper or a cooling rack

Instructions

Lightly spray a rimmed cookie sheet (approximately 13×9 inches) with non-stick cooking spray. This will prevent the mixture from sticking.
In a large, microwave-safe bowl, spray the inside generously with cooking spray. Add the cut butter pieces to the bowl, then pour the marshmallows on top. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave. Spray a heavy-duty rubber spatula or a sturdy plastic spoon with cooking spray. Stir the melted butter and marshmallow mixture together until smooth. If there are still large, unmelted marshmallow pieces, microwave in 15-second increments, stirring after each, until the mixture is completely silky and smooth.
Pour the 6 cups of Rice Krispies cereal into the marshmallow mixture. Mix thoroughly until the cereal is evenly coated.
Transfer the warm cereal mixture to the prepared cookie sheet. Spray your clean hands lightly with cooking spray and gently press the mixture evenly into the pan. Avoid pressing too firmly, as this can make the treats hard. Allow the treats to cool for about 15-20 minutes to set slightly before cutting.
Once cooled, use your metal gingerbread man cookie cutter and a circle cookie cutter (for gingerbread face pops, if desired) to cut out shapes. Press the cookie cutter firmly through the treats, wiggling it gently back and forth to loosen the shape from the surrounding mixture. Carefully squeeze the sides of the cookie cutter to “grab” the treat, lift it out, and then gently pop the treat out onto a clean surface. Repeat until you’ve used all the mixture. Gather and re-press scraps to cut more shapes if possible.
Once all your shapes are cut, gently insert lollipop sticks into the bottom of each gingerbread man or circle treat, twisting slightly as you push to avoid cracking.
Prepare the chocolate almond bark: Break the almond bark into pieces and place them in a 4-cup glass measuring cup (remember our tip for easy dipping!). Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir well. If there are still large, unmelted pieces, continue microwaving in 20-second intervals, stirring thoroughly after each, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
Hold a gingerbread man by its lollipop stick. Tilt the measuring cup with the melted chocolate to create a deeper pool. Dip the front surface of the treat into the chocolate, ensuring it’s fully covered. Lift the treat, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the cup. Place the coated treat onto waxed paper or a cooling rack to set.
Immediately after coating each treat, decorate with candies before the chocolate dries. Use gumdrops (cut off the tip for buttons, or use the larger end for cheeks on circle faces), and other colorful candies for unique designs. Cut miniature marshmallows in half to use as eyes for the gingerbread circle faces.
Allow the chocolate to fully dry and set. This can take some time depending on room temperature. Once dry, use your white and black decorator icing tubes to add finer details such as rick-rack patterns on the gingerbread men’s bodies, pupil dots for the marshmallow eyes, or smiling mouths.

The joy of making these Christmas Rice Krispy Treats extends beyond the delicious taste; it’s about the shared experience and creating cherished memories with family and friends. These no-bake delights are incredibly versatile, perfect for holiday parties, school events, or simply as a special homemade treat for your loved ones.

Consider gathering your family for an afternoon of crafting these edible gifts. The simple steps make it a fantastic activity for children, allowing them to express their creativity through decorating. Imagine the delight on their faces as they proudly display their personalized Gingerbread Man Rice Krispy Treats or hang their charming Tree Trimmer Treats on the Christmas tree.

Beyond being a fun activity, these treats make thoughtful and inexpensive gifts. Package them individually in clear cellophane bags with a festive ribbon, and you have a heartwarming present that shows you put in extra care and effort. They’re also an excellent addition to any holiday dessert table, offering a lighter, crispy alternative to traditional baked goods.

So, whether you’re looking for a simple holiday craft, an easy dessert, or a charming edible gift, these Rice Krispy Treat Gingerbread Men are sure to bring holiday cheer. Enjoy the process, savor the delicious results, and most importantly, cherish the festive moments created in your kitchen.

Please note: The recipes on this blog are typically tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. Oven performance can vary, especially with age, so an inexpensive oven thermometer can help ensure accuracy. If using toaster or countertop ovens, adjustments to cooking/baking times may be necessary due to different heat distribution. For pressure cooker, air fryer, or slow cooker recipes, links to our used appliances are often provided. In baking recipes with weight measurements, using cups instead may lead to different results, and success cannot be guaranteed with that method.