If you have a soft spot for nostalgic treats and crave the perfect mix of gooey marshmallow and classic cookie crunch, then you are going to absolutely adore this Rice Krispie Treat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. This delightful mashup blends the chewy, melty charm of Rice Krispie treats with the rich, buttery goodness of chocolate chip cookies, creating a unique dessert experience that’s both fun and irresistibly tasty. Imagine biting into a cookie with a secret surprise of a puffed marshmallow center surrounded by melty chocolate chips and crisp cereal—it’s a game changer for cookie lovers everywhere.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Rice Krispie Treat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity and the everyday pantry staples it requires. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering the texture and flavor that makes these cookies stand out from the rest.
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (85 grams), softened: This provides the creamy, rich foundation for the cookie dough, helping to create a tender crumb.
- 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (210 grams): Adds depth and a slight caramel flavor, keeping the cookies wonderfully moist.
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams): Balances sweetness and helps with perfect cookie spreading and crisp edges.
- 2 large eggs: Binds the ingredients and contributes to the cookie’s soft, chewy texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor with a warm, aromatic touch.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams): The backbone of your cookie, providing structure without toughness.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Ensures the cookies rise just enough for a light bite.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- 2 cups crispy rice cereal (56 grams): This is the fun twist—giving a delightful crunch and that unmistakable Rice Krispie treat feel.
- 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (170 grams): For those pockets of melty, chocolate goodness.
- About 9 regular sized marshmallows: The star surprise tucked inside every cookie, creating that soft, gooey center.
How to Make Rice Krispie Treat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Surface
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, ensuring it reaches the perfect temperature for baking these cookies evenly. Line your sheet pans with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step is essential—it prevents sticking and helps promote even baking, so your cookies maintain their shape and texture.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Using an electric mixer, beat your softened butter together with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Keep mixing for several minutes until the mixture becomes pale and creamy — this not only incorporates air for a lighter texture but also blends the sugars fully for uniform sweetness. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of your mixing bowl so everything combines effortlessly.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add the eggs one at a time, incorporating each fully before adding the next. Follow up with the vanilla extract for that comforting, aromatic flavor that ties the whole cookie together. Continue mixing gently, scraping the bowl as needed to avoid any pockets of unblended dough.
Step 4: Combine Your Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl or right in your mixer, add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix these just until the dough starts to come together. Overmixing at this stage can cause tough cookies, so a light hand preserves the tender texture you want.
Step 5: Fold in Crispy Rice Cereal and Chocolate Chips
Sprinkle in the crispy rice cereal and chocolate chips, folding them gently into the dough. This is where the magic starts—those Rice Krispies add a crisp crunch contrasted by the melty chocolate that’ll ooze in every bite. Make sure everything is evenly distributed.
Step 6: Prepare the Cookie Dough with Marshmallows
Portion your dough into large 3-tablespoon rounds for generously sized cookies. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut the marshmallows in half crosswise. Press one marshmallow half firmly into the center of each dough portion. Then carefully work the dough around it, making sure the marshmallow is completely hidden inside. This secret center is what makes this Rice Krispie Treat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe so irresistibly fun.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to turn golden brown and the tops to lose their shiny, wet look. The marshmallow inside will puff up slightly through the center, but don’t overbake or the marshmallow might melt away. Timing is everything here to capture that gooey surprise.
Step 8: Cooling and Enjoying
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two before transferring them to a wire rack. These cookies are best enjoyed the same day—they’ll slowly lose that pretty puffed marshmallow look as the center dissolves, but the taste remains absolutely delightful.
How to Serve Rice Krispie Treat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the cookies right after they come out of the oven for a subtle contrast that enhances the sweetness. For extra flair, dust with a little powdered sugar or drizzle with some melted white chocolate. These simple touches make them look bakery-worthy and taste even more special.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk for the classic combo or serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat. A cup of hot chocolate or coffee also complements the gooey, chocolatey richness perfectly, making these cookies a fantastic choice for afternoon snacks or dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn these cookies into mini ice cream sandwiches by slicing them horizontally and filling with your favorite ice cream flavor. Or stack several with layers of frosting or marshmallow fluff for a playful twist on a layered dessert. These ideas not only amplify the fun but make for impressive presentations at parties or gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Because of the marshmallow center, these cookies are best eaten fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. After that, the marshmallows start losing their delightful texture, so treat yourself to them quickly for the best experience.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking. Place them on a tray lined with parchment, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. This way you have ready-to-go dessert magic anytime you want.
Reheating
To enjoy the cookies warm after storing, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften the chocolate and marshmallow center. Just be careful not to overheat or you might lose that built-in surprise. Warm cookies taste just as wonderful as fresh from the oven!
FAQs
Can I substitute the crispy rice cereal?
While the crispy rice cereal is key to the Rice Krispie Treat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe’s signature crunch, you could experiment with puffed quinoa or millet for a slightly different texture, but expect a change in that classic flavor and crunch.
What type of marshmallows work best?
Regular-sized marshmallows cut in half work perfectly because they fit nicely inside the cookie dough and puff up just enough without melting away completely. Mini marshmallows may melt too fast and not provide the same gooey center.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Semisweet is classic, but bittersweet, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips are delicious variations. Feel free to mix and match to suit your taste preferences.
Why do the marshmallows sometimes disappear?
If baked too long or at too high a temperature, the marshmallows will fully melt and blend into the cookie, losing that wonderful gooey center. Watch your baking time closely and remove the cookies as soon as they puff up and edges turn golden.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour and crispy rice cereal that generally contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, substitute with gluten-free flour blends and certified gluten-free crispy rice cereal, but keep an eye on the texture as it may vary slightly.
Final Thoughts
This Rice Krispie Treat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a delightful twist on two beloved classics that’s sure to become a household favorite. With every bite, you get a perfect blend of crunchy, chewy, and gooey that will have you reaching for just one more cookie. So gather your ingredients, embrace the fun of baking, and treat yourself and your loved ones to these magical cookies—you won’t regret it!
Print
Rice Krispie Treat Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Rice Krispie Treat Chocolate Chip Cookies combine the chewy, melty goodness of classic chocolate chip cookies with the crispy, fun texture of rice krispie treats and gooey marshmallow centers. The result is a delightful mashup that’s soft on the inside with a surprise of marshmallow and crispy cereal in every bite, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (85 grams), softened to room temperature
- 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (210 grams)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 2 cups crispy rice cereal (56 grams)
- 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (170 grams)
Marshmallow Center
- About 9 regular sized marshmallows, halved crosswise
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line sheet pans with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar for several minutes until the mixture is pale and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl at least once to ensure even mixing.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, mixing well and scraping the bowl after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix just until the dough begins to come together; avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Mix in Cereal and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the crispy rice cereal and chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form Dough Portions: Portion the dough into large 3-tablespoon rounds using a cookie scoop or spoon. This size helps ensure a proper marshmallow center in each cookie.
- Insert Marshmallows: Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to cut marshmallows in half crosswise. Place one half marshmallow into the center of each cookie dough portion. Enclose the marshmallow completely by working the dough around it with your hands.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, watching carefully. The edges should start to turn golden brown, the tops should lose their shiny, wet appearance, and the marshmallow inside should puff up through the center without completely melting.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents breaking.
- Serve and Enjoy: These cookies are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are baked. The marshmallow centers will slowly dissolve over time, affecting their appearance and texture.
Notes
- Use softened butter at room temperature for easy creaming and better texture.
- Do not overbake; the marshmallow inside melts quickly and can disappear if left too long in the oven.
- Use large marshmallows cut in half for perfect gooey centers.
- Work quickly when placing marshmallows inside the dough to prevent sticking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 days, but best enjoyed fresh.
- For variations, try using mini marshmallows or different types of chocolate chips.