This recipe makes adorable edible reindeer faces. It is a simple recipe with delicious decorations that thrill children and your guests during this Christmas season.
This was inspired by my Snowman Rice Krispies Treats on this site, and pairs well with the Rainbow Rice Krispies Treats during preparation.
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Why this recipe
The Christmas season is here! The joy of giving and spending time with family fills the air. These cute reindeer will thrill your family and guests or even cheer a friend when you pack and send them as handmade and homemade gifts.
It takes a short time to assemble the reindeer treats. The children will cheerfully help in decorating the reindeer's face!
Suitable For Occasions
My children came beaming with excitement as they had been invited to a kids' party in the neighborhood. It seemed to be on really short notice. The little ones were eager to take gifts to the host family.
These cute reindeer would be a suitable seasonal gift. Other than that, they would still be on time as no baking is required in making the delicious treats! Oh, I knew the party would light up with smiles on seeing smiling reindeer on the snack table.
Little Cleaning
The children excitedly stirred the cream into Rice Krispies, which are very light and airy; this made the cereals spill onto the kitchen
counter and a few on the floor. However, it takes less than a minute to wipe the counter and sweep the floor.
"I can count the number of dishes we used. They are so few!" my son announced happily. A few dishes clean would enable them to leave the kitchen spic and span and be on time for the neighborhood kids' Christmas party. If you mind dishes, this recipe is just for you.
Food Art Session
The most exciting part of this recipe is the assembly of the cute reindeer heads! I had made early preparations in anticipation of the season's recipe and bought a few supplies we could use to make the features on our reindeer.
The kids cheerfully participated in assembling the reindeers. They were fascinated by the delicious and cute outcome.
With M and Ms forming the nose, candies the eyes, and pretzels the antlers, the children's excitement, and anticipation warmed the cold winter weather!
The ingredients :
Rice Krispies
All other ingredients bind to the Rice Krispies. Rice Krispies form the primary structure of the treats. This recipe requires about 6 cups of the airy cereals.
Butter
Butter adds moisture to the rice Krispies, making them soft and chewy. The butter gives the treats a rich milky flavor.
Marshmallows (preferably mini-sized)
These contain the sugar that sweetens the treats and the gelatin that becomes gooey, sticky, and stretchy when melted. This property binds the rice Krispies together.
Candies
We used candy, chocolate chips, and colored Rice Krispies to form the reindeer's features.
Vanilla essence
Although adding this essence might be optional, it gives the Rice Krispies treats an exquisite aroma.
Note: If you use unsalted butter, you could sprinkle a pinch of salt while combining the cream and the Rice Krispies.
How To Make It
The recipe involves melting butter and marshmallows into a smooth-flowing cream. The cream is poured into a round mixing bowl containing the Rice Krispies. Gently mix the Rice Krispies with the cream till all the Rice Krispies are coated by the cream.
Transfer the mixture to the greased round-shaped tray and lightly press the mixture onto the tray.
Once the mixture is set, carefully turn the tray to the chopping board. Using a sharp knife, cut the circle in half. Then cut the halves into halves once more. You will end up with eight cute triangles, a grand opportunity to reinforce the concept of fractions!
Molten butter and marshmallows are poured into rice krispies.
Rice Krispies coated with the cream.
Mixture after being transfered to a rounded tray to set.
Cut the halves into halves with a sharp knife.
Everyone was bubbling with ideas at this stage of the recipe execution!! Having watched Rudolph the Reindeer Christmas animation, they all wanted those reindeer to have a red nose! Many Rodulphs to help Santa out …
The Equipment To Use
Saucepan: A heavy-based pan is a plus in the recipe as it ensures the butter and marshmallows do not burn quickly.
Spatula: an excellent tool for scraping all the creamy mixture from the mixing bowl, thereby not wasting any ingredients.
Mixing bowls; A wide round bowl is the best choice because mixing is easy, and none of the mixtures remains in the corners.
Baking tray: A round-shaped non-stick is suitable for setting the mixture.
Chopping board: A sturdy chopping board is required to be used to cut out the desired shapes.
Kitchen tweezers or tongs: These small tools will come in handy as you stick the eyes, antlers, and noses on the reindeer's faces. The results will be neat.
Substitution
Marshmallows
Marshmallows are an essential ingredient since they act as a binding agent. However, other components, such as honey, maple syrup, date paste, or tamarind paste, could be used instead of marshmallows.
Butter
Butter adds moisture to the recipe. It can be substituted with coconut oil, peanut butter, or almond butter.
Decorations
We used Pretzels to form the antlers, candy eyes for the eyes, and M and Ms for the noses. A little melted dark chocolate will help pretzels and candies to stick.
Rice Krispies
Rice Krispies form the most basic structure of the recipe. You can substitute them with toasted oats, cornflakes, or granola.
Reindeer Rice Krispies Preservation
Can you freeze?
Reindeer Treats freeze wonderfully. First, it's advisable to place the cut-out treats on a tray lined with a baking sheet. Place the cut-out treats in your freezer overnight.
The following day, remove the treats and carefully put them in a ziplock bag. They can freeze for about three months.
How to Store
The Reindeer Rice Krispies should be stored in an airtight container and in the refrigerator.
Though as tasty and cute as they are, the little ones might consume them too quickly, leaving you with none to freeze!
Frequently asked questions - FAQs.
It takes about 2 hours for the treats to set well.
It could probably take longer in climates with higher temperatures, such as 34 degrees Celsius, and high humidity levels as well.
If you reside in such areas, it is recommended to place your tray in the coolest part of your kitchen.
Any version of Rice Krispie Treats will fall apart when you put too many marshmallows or too much butter.
It is essential to find the correct ratio of marshmallows and butter to the rice Krispies. 2 cups of marshmallows is enough for 6 cups of Rice Krispies.
About two days in the refrigerator or in a cool place as long as they are sealed in an airtight container.
Expert Tips
Rice Krispies are very light and airy. It is helpful to remember to use the spatula while mixing gently; otherwise, most of the Rice Krispies will spill out of the bowl. Spilling causes a mess and wastage too.
It will be prudent to consider using a ruler to determine the exact center of the circle. Using a ruler will ensure the cut-out reindeer are the same size.
If you tried this Reindeer Rice Krispies Treats Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Reindeer Rice Krispies Treats
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Spatula
- Mixing bowls
- Baking Tray
- Chopping Board
- Knife
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons Butter
- 4 Cups Rice Krispies
- 1 Packet Eye Candies
- 2 Bars Dark Chocolate
- 2 Cups Marshmallows
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla essence
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Grease a shallow baking tray, preferably a 9-inch pan. 2. Measure out the ingredients and set them aside in bowls.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat and add the marshmallows. Stir the mixture for about a minute and a half.
- Pour the cream into a bowl containing the rice Krispies and mix with a spatula making sure all the Krispies are coated with the cream.
- Gently scoop the mixture into a round, greased baking tray.
- Set aside the tray, and let the mixture rest for two hours to set firmly.
- Turn the set bar from the tray onto a chopping board, preferably round in shape.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the set mixture into half, then cut the halves to form quarters, and lastly cut the quarters to form eighths. It would be nice to use a ruler to determine the exact center of the circle. We eyeballed and later noticed that we had some reindeer bigger than others!
- Melt a little dark or white chocolate in a microwave or water bath.
- Carefully dip the eyes in the melted chocolate and stick the eyes on the cut-out reindeers, dip the pretzel and stick them as horns. Lastly, attach the nose, M and Ms at the pit of the shape.
