The Genius Rice Krispies Treat Trick That’s Perfect for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is all about love, and for many of us, that includes showing love through homemade treats. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to create extravagant desserts that look like they belong in a bakery display. Social media is filled with towering cakes, intricately decorated cookies, and over-the-top chocolate-covered everything. But sometimes, the best treats are the simplest ones—delicious, homemade, and made with love.

Take Rice Krispies Treats, for example. They're a classic favorite, easy to make, and always a crowd-pleaser. Best of all, they can be elevated with just a few tweaks to make them feel extra special for Valentine’s Day. Content creator, cookbook author and podcast host Jessie Sheehan (@jessiesheehanbakes) shared a really fun RKT twist on Instagram, and this is one we'll definitely be making this Valentine's Day!

Related: The Best Fancy Chocolates to Buy for Your Valentine, According to Celebrity Chefs

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How to Make Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats

If you want a twist on Rice Krispie Treats that's absolutely perfect for Valentine's Day, head in a chocolate direction. Cocoa Krispies and cocoa powder transform the treat into a rich, chocolatey dessert while keeping the simplicity that makes them so great.

To make these cocoa-infused Valentine’s Rice Krispie treats, start with the standard ingredients: butter, marshmallows and rice cereal. Instead of using plain Rice Krispies, swap in Cocoa Krispies for a chocolate base. Add some cocoa powder to the melted butter and marshmallow mixture before stirring in the cereal. This boosts the chocolate flavor and makes them taste even more indulgent. Jessie said it gives them a Dutch chocolate flavor. Yum!

To make the treats extra soft and gooey (and help them stay fresher longer), Sheehan likes to add some sweetened condensed milk to the recipe.

Once your treat mixture is ready, press it into a greased or parchment-lined pan. To make them extra festive, top them with Valentine’s Day-themed sprinkles before they fully set. Red, pink and white heart-shaped sprinkles or shimmering sugar crystals add a fun and festive touch.

Related: The Secret Ingredient for Extra Chewy Rice Krispies Treats That Stay Soft for Days

How to Make These Treats Even More Festive

If you really want to go all out, drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the top for an extra layer of sweetness, or use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to shape your treats once they’ve cooled. This instantly makes them perfect for the holiday.

Swap regular marshmallows for strawberry or raspberry-flavored ones to give your treats a subtle fruity twist or dip half of each Rice Krispie treat in melted dark, milk, or white chocolate for a gourmet touch.

You can also make pink and white Rice Krispie Treats by using regular rice cereal and colored marshmallows. Stack those with the chocolate treats to make an impressive gift.

These treats are perfect for gifting, sharing at a Valentine’s Day party or simply enjoying with your loved ones. They take minimal effort but still feel thoughtful and homemade. Plus, because they’re so easy to whip up, they take the stress out of Valentine’s Day baking, letting you focus on what really matters—spending time with the people you love.

Sometimes, less really is more, and a batch of homemade Rice Krispie treats sprinkled with love is all you need to make the day sweet and special.

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