Circus Animal Cookie Rice Krispy Treats

photo of circus animal cookie rice krispy treats stacked on a pink background

Buckle up, because these Circus Animal Cookie Rice Krispy Treats are going to blow your mind! Thick and chewy krispy treats with extra marshmallows and real pieces of Circus Animal Cookies!

Just so you know, I have zero intentions on ceasing my love for Circus Animal Cookie recipes. Just so we’re crystal clear. I love them too damn much!

And according to my traffic searches and engagement on Instagram, you guys do, too! I love that because you guys also find these bright and sprinkly cookies nostalgic and fun as well.

These Circus Animal Cookie Rice Krispy Treats are certainly every bit as bright and happy as the cookies themselves, with a one-two punch of extra deliciousness since they’re Rice Krispy Treats as well! Rice Krispy Treats, or as I call them: RKTs – are one of my favorite sweets because they’re simple but so perfect. Nothing beats that gooey marshmallow and butter mixture combined with crispy cereal.

These treats couldn’t be simpler to make, either! Here’s how you do it.

closeup of rice krispy treat circus animal cookie First, they start as any self-respecting RKT does: butter and marshmallows! You’ll melt the two together until they’re nice and smooth and totally combined. To the melted marshmallow mixture, you’ll add in some coarsely crushed circus cookies and the crispy rice cereal, as well as some extra marshmallows. Mix it all together and pour it into a greased 9×13 baking pan. One of the keys for delicious RKTs is to not compress the mixture when putting it in the pan. Get it in an even layer, but do not press down on it. The taller and more craggly the top looks, the better!

Let it set for about an hour and then garnish with some melted hot pink candy melts, sprinkles, and additional crushed circus cookies. I mean, can you even HANDLE how good these look!?

Buttery, thick and chewy Circus Animal Cookie Rice Krispy Treats. Come to mama!

closeup stack of circus animal cookie rice krispy treats stacked on pink background

Circus Animal Cookie Rice Krispy Treats

These Circus Animal Cookie Rice Krispy Treats are delightful RKTs swirled with circus cookies in every bite! Perfectly delicious and nostalgic!

Prep Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr

Course: Bars, No Bake Desserts, No-Bake Treats

Cuisine: American, Dessert

Servings: 15

Ingredients

11 ounces (One 11oz bag) Circus Animal Cookies
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
10 ounces PLUS 2 cups miniature marshmallows divided
6 cups crispy rice cereal
2/3 cup hot pink candy melts
Non-pareils sprinkles

Instructions

First, grease a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Add the circus animal cookies to a food processor and pulse 3-5 times or until cookies resemble coarse crumbs – some with larger pieces, some with smaller. Reserve 2/3 cup of this mixture.
Next, melt the 10-ounce bag of marshmallows and butter together in a very large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH power for 30 seconds, then stir and microwave for another 30 seconds or until mixture is melted and smooth. Stir in the crushed cookies, the cereal, and the remaining 2 cups of miniature marshmallows, stirring quickly until fully combined. Pour the cereal treat mixture into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Tip: avoid compressing the cereal treats – get them into an even layer but leave an uneven, craggly surface on top.
Allow krispy treats to cool and set for about 1 hour. Just before serving, melt the candy melts according to package directions or until smooth and melted. Drizzle evenly over the krispy treats and immediately garnish with remaining crushed cookies and non-pareils sprinkles. Let chocolate candy coating set before cutting into bars.