No-Bake Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings

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Every year, when the festive season rolls around, I find myself reaching for recipes that are just as fun to make as they are to eat. These No-Bake Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings check every box: they’re whimsical, delicious, and perfect for making with kids or sharing at holiday parties. I love how they come together in under 30 minutes, yet look like you’ve spent hours crafting something special.

The classic rice krispie base is laced with cocoa and studded with dried fruits for that rich, Christmas pudding flavor. Then, the magic happens with a drizzle of white chocolate “icing” and a playful topping of holly leaves and a cherry (or red candy) to finish the look. It’s a holiday treat that makes everyone smile—and not just because of how it tastes.

Why You’ll Love This No-Bake Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings

These little treats are pure holiday joy in bite-sized form. They’re festive, no-bake, and incredibly easy to customize. If you’re looking for something low-effort but high-impact, this is your go-to dessert. The combination of crispy cereal, chewy fruit, and sweet chocolate hits all the right nostalgic notes while still feeling creative and modern.

They’re perfect for gifting, party platters, or letting the kids have a blast decorating. And since there’s no oven involved, it’s a stress-free option when the kitchen is already packed with roasting, baking, and simmering.

What Kind of Cereal Should I Use?

I stick to the classic puffed rice cereal—the kind you’d use for regular rice krispie treats. It holds together well with the melted marshmallow mixture and creates that perfect light, crispy texture. If you’re using an off-brand, just make sure the cereal is fresh and crisp, not stale or overly dense.

Options for Substitutions

This recipe is highly adaptable. Want to make it dairy-free? Swap the butter for a plant-based version and use dairy-free white chocolate. You can also replace the dried fruits with mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or festive sprinkles if you’re not a fan of raisins or currants.

For a nuttier twist, a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter mixed into the marshmallow base adds great flavor and richness. And if you can’t find red candy balls for the topping, a red M&M or even a glacé cherry will do the trick.

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Ingredients for this No-Bake Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings

Puffed Rice Cereal – This is the foundation of your treat, giving that classic crispy crunch we all love. It binds well with the marshmallow and butter for the perfect texture.

Mini Marshmallows – These melt down to create the gooey, sticky mixture that holds everything together. They also bring a hint of sweetness that blends well with the other ingredients.

Unsalted Butter – Adds richness and helps melt the marshmallows evenly. It also prevents the mixture from being too sticky to work with.

Cocoa Powder – Gives the mixture that rich, chocolatey color and taste that echoes traditional Christmas pudding.

Mixed Dried Fruit (like raisins, currants, chopped cranberries) – These give the treats a chewy texture and fruity sweetness that mimics the flavor of holiday puddings.

White Chocolate – Used for the decorative “icing” on top. When melted and drizzled, it creates a realistic and delicious snowy effect.

Green Icing or Fondant – For creating the holly leaves. You can use a piping bag or mold small leaf shapes by hand.

Red Candy Balls or Glacé Cherries – These sit on top of the white chocolate and act as the “berries” in the holly decoration.

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Step 1: Melt the Butter and Marshmallows

In a large saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the mini marshmallows and stir until completely melted and smooth. Stir constantly to prevent burning.

Step 2: Add Cocoa Powder

Once the marshmallow mixture is smooth, whisk in the cocoa powder until evenly incorporated. This gives your base that festive chocolate flavor and rich color.

Step 3: Stir in Cereal and Dried Fruit

Remove the pan from heat and quickly fold in the puffed rice cereal and dried fruits. Mix thoroughly to make sure everything is coated and well combined.

Step 4: Shape into Balls

Let the mixture cool for a few minutes so it’s easier to handle. With slightly damp or buttered hands, shape the mixture into small round balls (about golf ball size) and place them on a lined tray. Let them cool and firm up at room temperature.

Step 5: Decorate with White Chocolate

Melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second bursts, stirring in between. Once smooth, spoon a little over each pudding to resemble icing dripping down the sides.

Step 6: Add Holly Leaves and Berries

Use green icing or fondant to add holly leaves on top of the white chocolate. Finish each one with a red candy ball or glacé cherry in the center.

Step 7: Let Set and Serve

Allow the decorated puddings to set completely at room temperature or in the fridge for faster results. Once the chocolate is firm, they’re ready to serve or package as gifts.

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How Long to Prepare the No-Bake Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings

Prep Time: Making these Christmas puddings takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. That includes melting the ingredients, mixing, shaping, and decorating. If you’re making these with kids or doing a large batch, give yourself a little extra time to enjoy the process.

Cooling & Setting Time: Once shaped and decorated, they’ll need around 15–20 minutes to firm up at room temperature. If you’re short on time, placing them in the refrigerator will speed things up, setting them in just 10 minutes.

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Tips for Perfect No-Bake Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings

• Use fresh marshmallows for the best melting texture.
• Butter your hands lightly before shaping to prevent sticking.
• Let the mixture cool slightly before shaping, but not too long or it’ll harden.
• Work quickly once the cereal is added to avoid the mixture setting in the pan.
• Use a piping bag for more precise holly leaf decorations.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overheating the marshmallows: This can cause the mixture to harden too quickly or become too stiff.
• Not mixing thoroughly: Uneven coating will result in dry patches or clumps of unmixed cereal.
• Waiting too long to shape: The mixture will become hard to work with as it cools.
• Using too much cocoa: This can make the mixture bitter.
• Adding decorations before chocolate sets: The decorations may slide off if the white chocolate is too warm.

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What to Serve With No-Bake Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings?

1. Hot Chocolate

A mug of rich hot cocoa complements the sweet and chewy puddings beautifully.

2. Mulled Wine

For an adult twist, serve these alongside warm mulled wine for a cozy holiday vibe.

3. Festive Fruit Platter

Balance the sweetness with a colorful arrangement of fresh fruits like kiwi, oranges, and grapes.

4. Christmas Cookies

Pair these with spiced or iced cookies for a beautiful and varied dessert tray.

5. Vanilla Ice Cream

These puddings are great chilled, but even better with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream on the side.

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Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store the finished puddings in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them away from heat or moisture to avoid melting or going stale.

Refrigerator: If you prefer a firmer texture, store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just be sure to bring them back to room temp before serving for the best texture.

Freezer: These can also be frozen undecorated. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature and then decorate before serving.

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Estimated Nutrition

(Per pudding, approximately)

• Calories: 160 kcal
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Sugar: 17g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Sodium: 85mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance can I make these?

You can make them up to 3 days in advance if stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature.

Can I use large marshmallows instead of mini?

Yes, just chop them into smaller pieces to help them melt evenly.

What if I don’t have cocoa powder?

You can leave it out for a traditional vanilla version, or use melted chocolate instead.

Are these gluten-free?

If you use certified gluten-free puffed rice cereal and marshmallows, yes, they can be made gluten-free.

Can I make them vegan?

Yes! Use plant-based butter, vegan marshmallows, and dairy-free white chocolate.

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Conclusion

No-Bake Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings are the perfect blend of tradition and ease. They’re festive, fast to make, and bring smiles to anyone who sees or tastes them. Whether you’re crafting holiday gifts, building a dessert table, or looking for something simple and sweet, these little pudding treats deliver the holiday cheer without the hassle of baking. Try them once, and they’ll likely become a yearly favorite!

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