So a while back my sister came to visit and we wanted to make a series of fun blue treats. There’s always a reason to go for a theme, and no bake treats are always popular here on CookingChew. It’s always a bit sticky to make homemade crispy rice treats so a box of store-bought worked just fine; they’re also all the same size, which is nice.
Are you putting together a fun treats table for the 4th of July? A bit of blue frosting and some fun sprinkles and making them are as much fun as eating them. Blue party treats like these add a little blue whimsy to a red-white-and-blue theme, or any party where you want blue to make a statement, all in about 30 mins of prep.
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How to make Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats
Step 1: Set up a sprinkle station. Tip each sprinkle variety into its own flat, shallow plate red/white/blue sanding sugar in one, white nonpareils in another, star sprinkles in a third, and so on. We even had some “unicorn” sprinkled left over from another project so we used those too. (Plan around whatever edible decor you have on hand.) Line a half sheet pan with wax paper or parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the blue frosting. (You can also dip these in blue chocolate if you want, but I used frosting for these—the topping stays soft but the dipping chocolate will set quickly.) I had a few different cups of colored frosting ranging from light to darker as you can see in the photo.
Step 3: Unwrap the Rice Krispies Treats. With an offset spatula, frost halfway up each treat, going down the sides and the back.
Step 4: Lightly press each treat into the plates of sugar and sprinkles, experimenting with the look of each. Use a spoon or clean fingers to sprinkle into any bare spots.
Step 5: Set the finished treats one at a time onto the parchment-lined pan. I put them in a circular pattern in one layer, since stacking them may cause the decorations to rub off over time.
Step 6: Arrange on a platter for a cookout, or if gifting, place on a sturdy disposable plate and cover with clear cellophane for patriotic party treats to go, or pile into a galvanized bucket with a bit of wax paper for a whimsical, tasty centerpiece.
Tools and Equipment
- Small offset spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small spoon
- 3 or 4 small shallow plates to hold edible sprinkles and sanding sugar
- Serving tray or decorative display to hold the frosted treats
Tips for Success
- If you don’t want to bother with making the blue frosting first, just use a can of white frosting and completely cover in blue sprinkles and sugar.
- Mix red, white, and blue Star sprinkles on the same treat if you want. Single-color sprinkling looks like one flag stripe per treat. Layering red white and blue dessert sprinkles across the same coating reads patriotic at a glance.
- If you want to make your own homemade crispy rice treats, ours stay a little softer than the average RKT. Or start with OREO treats instead.
- Cookout-friendly serving: these hold up well outdoors the same way frosted cupcakes would. Too warm and the sprinkles will eventually slide off to the side, but they will taste the same, just not be as pretty.
- Store in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days. Stacking presses sprinkles into the next treat’s coating.
- If you have leftover sprinkles, more rice krispy treats and some ice cream, make these rice krispy ice cream sandwiches!!
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Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats
Ingredients
- 12 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats 1 standard pack
- 1 cup blue frosting see linked recipe
- 1/4 cup patriotic sprinkles, mixed varieties blue sanding sugar, white nonpareils, star sprinkles, red/white/blue jimmies and nonpareils
Instructions
- Set up a sprinkle station with each sprinkle type in its own shallow plate. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Make the blue chocolate following my Blue Frosting recipe. (See steps above.)
- Unwrap the Rice Krispies Treats. Using an offset spatula or butter knife, spread the blue frosting in a thin layer over half of each treat (top, sides and back, but only the bottom half).
- Press each newly frosted treat gently onto the plate of edible decor. Mix and match or use all of one texture. See photos above for ideas.
- Place the treat on the parchment-lined pan as you finish. Repeat with remaining treats. Use a spoon or your fingers to get sugar/sprinkles into any bare spots.
- These are ready to eat. Serve on a platter in one layer (like cupcakes).
Notes
FAQ
What sprinkles look most patriotic?
Red and white sanding sugar plus blue nonpareils plus star sprinkles plus a few USA jimmies. Layering 3 to 4 textures per treat looks more intentional than single-color dumping.
Can I make these the day before a 4th of July party?
Yes, up to 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temp in a single layer, covered.
Do they need refrigeration for a cookout?
No need. Extreme heat may cause the edible decorations to slide off and soften the frosting. Keep the platter in the shade.
Can I make these for Labor Day or other patriotic holidays?
Yes, same recipe, same sprinkle mix. The red, white, and blue covers any labor day dessert table or any patriotic summer holiday like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and other events you may want to serve blue party treats.
Are these gluten-free?
Rice Krispies and Rice Krispies Treats are not certified gluten-free; check the package. For gluten-free, use a certified GF crispy rice treat brand. Check the labels for the frosting and sprinkles also.
Can I use store-bought blue frosting?
Yes, you can pick up store-bought blue frosting, or even just use the white frosting and coat liberally in the edible blue sprinkles and sugar for the themed look.
How do I pack these as a 4th of July favor?
Single treat in a clear cellophane bag, blue or red ribbon tie, optional star sticker. Don’t stack in the bag.
The bottom line
Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats are the shortcut to a red, white, and blue dessert tray that will appeal to kids of all ages. A box of store-bought Rice Krispies Treats, a cup of my blue frosting (recipe here), and a handful of patriotic dipped treats sprinkles is all that separates a plain rice cereal square from a centerpiece 4th of July dessert or a Labor Day party favor. Premade treats, no baking, 30 minutes start to finish, the only fussy part is that sprinkles can be messy (like craft confetti). Make a double batch the day before; they hold up airtight at room temp for 3 days, which means the whole summer cookout dessert table can be done before the grill goes on.
More 4th of July Treats
NEW: Blue Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels
How to Make Blue Chocolate Naturally (Dye-Free Method)
How to Make Blue Frosting 2 Ways
Beachy Cupcakes with Teddy Grahams + Graham Cracker Sand!
COMING SOON: Blue Chocolate Dipped OREOs
COMING SOON: Blue Chocolate Dipped Potato Chips
