Eating outdoors, enjoying picnics and BBQ’s with family and friends is always one of the highlights of my summer. When planning food (or dessert) for a picnic or BBQ, I need treats that travel well, can handle being left out in the heat, and are easy to eat. Rice Krispies Treats are an ever popular option for casual summer events. I love “fancy” rice krispies treats and am always on the lookout for creative and delicious variations. Last summer, I bookmarked these adorable Watermelon Rice Krispies Treats by Dine and Dish and I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to give them a try. This past weekend, we headed out of town for a family reunion and these cute rice krispies treats were the perfect dessert to bring along. I placed them on the dessert table and all the kids made a bee-line right for them! These are quite easy to make, and will draw lots of oohs and ahhs!
Assembly- Press the green “rind” around outside edge of a prepared cake pan, then make up the red “watermelon” mixture and press it into the center of the pans.
The original idea source, Dine and Dish, used flavored drink mix in the mixture to add watermelon flavor, to match the watermelon look. I didn’t try that this time, but I think it’s a fun idea!
I added some “watermelon slices” onto pretty paper straws (first creating a hole using a wooden skewer). I loved the look of them on the straws and think these would made adorable favors or take-home treats, wrapped in cellophane bags, and tied at the base of the watermelon.
Happy Summer!
How to Make Watermelon Krispie Treats
Watermelon Krispie Treats
Ingredients
For the green rind outer ring
- 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 4 cups mini mashmallows
- 3 tablespoons butter
- green food coloring
For the red watermelon center
- 5 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 5 cups mini marshmallows
- 3 tablespoons butter
- red food coloring
- Chocolate covered sunflower seeds or mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare 2- 8" cake pans by greasing with butter or non-stick spray.
Make the green (rind)
- Add 4 cups rice krispies to a large bowl, set aside.
- Melt 4 cups marshmallows and 3 tablespoons butter in a large bowl in the microwave about 2 minutes, or until very puffy.
- Carefully remove from microwave, stir, and add in green coloring.
- Pour green marshmallow mixture over the bowl of rice krispies. Stir mixture together, quickly, using a buttered spatula.
- Working quickly, divide the mixture between the two prepared cake pans, and press along the sides of the pans, creating a ring about 1.5 inches tall and 1-1.5 inches wide/thick. Rub a bit of butter on your hands as necessary, to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
Make the red (watermelon) center-
- Repeat as above, using the ingredients listed (left).
- Press red mixture into the center of the two cake pans, press down and smoothign the top surface with a buttered spatula.
Add "seeds"
- I added chocolate covered sunflower seeds, using a tiny bit of melted chocolate to keep each seed in place.
taste & look is delicious . I need some help how to cut it smooth & even pieces
I had a question regarding the red and green gel. Can we use red and green liquid food coloring instead?
Hi Shari,
I’ve only done it with the concentrated gel coloring, but I imagine you could do it with regular liquid color. Again, I haven’t tried it, but feel free to give it a go!
these are so cute! I did try kool aid brand watermelon drink packet but suggest using 1/2 packet in this recipe.
My girls helped me make these and they are so cute! Everyone we shared them with thought they were wonderful. As an FYI – the only place I could find chocolate-covered sunflower seeds was at Trader Joe’s. We picked the brown ones out to use for the seeds. Thanks for sharing the instructions!
I HAVE A QUESTION: I’ve not made rice crispie treats before. How do these items keep? How far in advance can you make and store this cuties?
I’ve made them 4 or 5 times now and children love them!