If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s delightfully crispy, irresistibly sweet, and packed with a nostalgic crunch, then you’re in for a treat with this White Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love this because it mixes the creamy goodness of white chocolate and peanut butter with the fun texture of Rice Krispies and mini marshmallows. Trust me, once you try these, your family (and friends!) will be begging you to make them again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of what you need in your pantry or fridge.
- No-Bake Convenience: No oven required — just melt, mix, and chill.
- Perfect Crunch and Chew: That combination of Rice Krispies and mini marshmallows gives a satisfying texture that’s hard to resist.
- Customizable Flavors: You can swap in almond bark or use crunchy peanut butter to switch things up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together in such an easy way, and each one plays a vital role in creating that perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and sweet. When shopping, I always go for good-quality white chocolate because it really makes a difference in flavor.
- White Chocolate: I love using baking bars for smooth melting, but white chocolate chips work great too.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy works best here to blend effortlessly into the white chocolate.
- Rice Krispies Cereal: The star of the show for that irresistible crunch.
- Mini Marshmallows: These add that chewy softness that contrasts the crisp cereal.
- Dry Roasted Peanuts: Add a nice extra crunch and salty note that balances the sweetness.
Variations
One of the things I love about this White Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste or dietary needs. Here are a few fun swaps and additions I’ve tried over the years.
- Using Crunchy Peanut Butter: I once made these with crunchy peanut butter, and the texture gave an extra peanutty pop that my family adored.
- Substitute Almond Bark: For an even easier melt, sometimes I swap the white chocolate for almond bark—it melts smoothly and sets firm.
- Add Dried Fruit: Toss in some dried cranberries or cherries to add a tart surprise with every bite.
- Make Bars Instead of Cookies: If you’re short on time, pour the mixture into a lined pan, chill, and cut into bars—makes sharing at parties super easy!
How to Make White Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workstation
Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. This is your workspace for molding the cookies so they don’t stick later. It’s tempting to skip this part, but trust me, you’ll thank yourself when cleanup is a breeze.
Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate
I use a double boiler method because it melts the white chocolate gently and evenly, reducing the chance of scorching. Once melted, let it cool for a minute or two — you don’t want it hot enough to melt the peanut butter when you mix it in, or you’ll end up with a runny mess.
Step 3: Stir in Peanut Butter and Mix-Ins
Once your chocolate is shiny and a little cooler, add in the creamy peanut butter, stirring until smooth. Then, fold in your Rice Krispies, mini marshmallows, and dry roasted peanuts until everything is beautifully coated. This is where the magic happens—you’ll see your familiar favorite ingredients turn into these irresistible little bites.
Step 4: Form and Chill
Using a tablespoon or small scoop, drop the mixture onto your lined baking sheet—they don’t spread, so you can place them fairly close together. Let them sit at room temperature until firm, or pop them in the fridge for quicker set-up. I like to chill them because it speeds things up, especially when guests are waiting!
Pro Tips for Making White Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe
- Gentle Melting: When melting white chocolate, keep the heat low and stir often to avoid grainy texture.
- Measuring Peanut Butter: Line your measuring cup with plastic wrap to scoop out peanut butter cleanly and avoid sticky mess.
- Use Wax Paper Layers: When storing leftovers, placing wax paper between cookie layers prevents them from sticking together.
- Chill to Firm Up: If you’re in a hurry, use your fridge to speed up cooling but don’t freeze or cookies can become too hard to enjoy.
How to Serve White Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with these cookies, but I love sprinkling a little flaky sea salt on top right after scooping the mixture for a sophisticated flavor pop. Sometimes a drizzle of melted dark chocolate over the top adds a beautiful contrast and enhances that peanut butter taste.
Side Dishes
These cookies are perfect alongside a cold glass of milk or a steaming cup of coffee. For parties, I like pairing them with fruit platters or a fresh yogurt dip to provide a crunchy, creamy balance to all the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist at gatherings, try stacking them in a pretty jar or wrapping each cookie individually with colorful parchment paper tied with twine. If you make bars instead, serving them on a rustic wooden board with some nuts and berries scattered around gets a lot of compliments and makes a sweet display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep my leftover White Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies in an airtight container with wax paper layers to stop sticking. They last well at room temperature for about a week but I like to store them in the fridge if it’s warm where I’m at.
Freezing
Freezing is totally doable! Just layer the cookies with parchment paper in an airtight container. When you’re ready, thaw them at room temperature for 30 minutes or so. I found freezing can harden the marshmallows a bit, so I prefer to freeze only if necessary.
Reheating
Since these cookies are great at room temperature, I simply let mine sit out for a few minutes after refrigeration or thawing. If you want that melty, fresh-from-the-kitchen feel, a quick 5-10 second zap in the microwave does the trick to soften the edges without melting the whole cookie.
FAQs
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Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?
Natural peanut butter can work, but it tends to be thinner and oilier than creamy varieties. This might affect how well the cookies hold together, so I recommend stirring the peanut butter well and possibly chilling the dough a bit longer before forming the cookies.
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What’s the best way to melt white chocolate without burning it?
Using a double boiler is the safest method—keep water simmering gently below the bowl and stir constantly. If you use a microwave, melt at 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring in between. White chocolate burns easily, so go slow and steady.
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Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just make sure to use gluten-free Rice Krispies cereal (there are gluten-free versions available), and double-check that your other ingredients don’t have hidden gluten.
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How long do these cookies last?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for up to a week. Refrigerating extends their shelf life to about two weeks.
Final Thoughts
This White Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen when I want a quick, no-bake treat that’s a little different from the usual suspects. It’s easy, totally satisfying, and always gets rave reviews, especially around the holidays or last-minute gatherings. I think you’re going to love how these melt in your mouth with just the right crunch and chew—give them a try, and don’t be surprised if they become a staple in your treat lineup too!
Print
White Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 25 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Rocky Mountain Snowdrops are delightful no-bake treats combining creamy white chocolate, peanut butter, crispy Rice Krispies cereal, mini marshmallows, and crunchy dry roasted peanuts. These sweet and crunchy cookies are quick to make and perfect for snack time or dessert.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 pound white chocolate (baking bars, chips, or almond bark)
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- ½ cup dry roasted peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and set it aside to ensure easy removal of the snowdrops once they are set.
- Melt Chocolate: Using a double boiler, melt the white chocolate until smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly to avoid cooking the peanut butter or marshmallows when combined.
- Mix Ingredients: Stir the creamy peanut butter into the melted chocolate. Then fold in the Rice Krispies cereal, mini marshmallows, and dry roasted peanuts until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Form Cookies: Drop the mixture by 2-tablespoon portions onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow for slight spreading.
- Cool and Set: Allow the cookies to cool completely at room temperature, or for faster setting, place the baking sheet in the fridge until firm.
- Serve and Store: Once fully set, serve immediately or store using wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Notes
- Cool the cookies faster by popping them in the fridge.
- For melting chocolate, you can use a microwave on half-power in 30-second increments, stirring between each session.
- When storing, use wax paper between layers to keep the cookies from sticking.
- To make bars or squares instead of cookies, press the mixture into a wax-lined 9×9-inch baking dish, cool completely, then remove the paper before cutting.
- White chocolate baking bars, white chocolate chips, white melting chocolate, or almond bark can be used interchangeably.
- For easy peanut butter measurement, line your measuring cup with plastic wrap before scooping peanut butter to avoid mess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
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