Christmas Ooey Gooey Bars are the BEST holiday version of Rice Krispies Treats.
This recipe has three delicious layers and is perfect for parties!
Last night I got together with a bunch of my girlfriends for a Christmas sing-along. We shared fabulous holiday appetizers and desserts, sang Christmas carols and enjoyed visiting with each other. My cold is still hanging on so my singing was more like croaking, but they didn’t make me leave so that’s good! It’s always nice to take a few hours out of the busy week to reconnect with old friends. Today I’m sharing a recipe for Christmas Ooey Gooey Bars that people of all ages love, so it is a perfect recipe to bring to holiday parties!
The bottom layer of these bars is like a giant cake mix cookie. Combine half of a white cake mix, an egg, oil and Christmas sprinkles in a bowl. Press into greased 9×9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Remove the cake mix layer from the oven and put spoonfuls of the marshmallow cream on top. Allow the marshmallow cream to heat and spread out on its own. While waiting, work on the top layer.
For the top layer, microwave butter for 20 seconds in a large bowl, until melted. Add mini marshmallows and stir to coat. Microwave for 45 seconds and stir until smooth. (If the marshmallows aren’t completely melted, microwave for an additional 30 seconds.) Mix in crisped rice cereal. (I used Sugar Cookie Pebbles – the Christmas flavor of Fruity Pebbles.)
Carefully spread the marshmallow cream out evenly. Then, drop the crisped rice mixture by large spoonfuls over the marshmallow cream layer and carefully spread out evenly. I put my hand in plastic baggie with a little butter on it and gently spread it out and patted it down.
Allow the bars to cool and set before cutting them into squares.
These Christmas Ooey Gooey Bars spread once they are cut, so you might want to wait to cut them until right before serving.
When Zack spotted me making these bars, he immediately asked if they were ooey gooey bars. I told him that they were and he said “YESSSS!! I have been craving those bars! They are the best.”
- 1 1/2 cups white cake mix 1/2 of a box of standard cake mix
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup oil
- 3-4 tbsp sprinkles I just red, green and white jimmies
- 7 oz container marshmallow cream
- 1½ tablespoons butter
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 3 cups crisped rice cereal I used Sugar Cookie Pebbles
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- To make the first layer, mix together cake mix, egg, sprinkles and oil. Press into greased 9x9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
- For the second layer, remove the cake mix layer from the oven and put spoonfuls of the marshmallow cream on top. Allow the marshmallow cream to heat and spread out on its own.
- While waiting, make the top layer. Microwave 1½ tablespoons of butter for 20 seconds in a large bowl, until melted. Add 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir to coat. Microwave for 45 seconds and stir until smooth. (If the marshmallows aren’t completely melted, microwave for an additional 30 seconds.) Mix in 3 cups of crisped rice cereal.
- Carefully spread the marshmallow cream out evenly. Then, drop the crisped rice mixture by large spoonfuls over the marshmallow cream layer and carefully spread out evenly.
- Allow the bars to cool and set before cutting them into squares. They spread once they are cut, so you might want to wait to cut them until right before serving.
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Julia says
Where did you find the sugar cookie cereal?
Tonia says
Hi Julia,
I bought it from Target but that was in 2014 so Post might not have put that specific version out this year.
~Tonia
Susan says
Can these be made ahead and frozen or would they lose their texture?
Tonia says
I’ve never tried freezing Rice Krispies treats. You can make them a couple of days ahead of time and store them in the fridge though. Best of luck! ~Tonia
Anna Schrader says
This looks awesome! I want to make this for my sons Christmas party at school. What are the measurements if I want to make this in a 9×13 cake pan? Just double everything?
Tonia says
Yes! That is exactly what I would do! Best of luck! ~Tonia
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
I LOVE how you put marshmallow cream in the middle of these! And the colors are perfect!
Becky says
Do you think I could just double the recipe and use the whole cake mix and maybe put in a 9 x 13 pan? I like to take treats to work and usually try to make at least a 9 x 13 size portion. This looks so good and “Rice Krispy” treats are always enjoyed! Thank you for sharing this!
Tonia says
Hi Becky,
Yes, I’ve doubled the recipe and it worked the same! Happy Baking!
~Tonia
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
OMG…I seriously want to grab one or maybe all of these ooey gooey bars right off my screen!! LOL These look delicious and so fun for Christmas! Pinned! 🙂
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
Love these! Perfect for Christmas class party treats!!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Love the gooey center! Such a festive treat!
Michelle says
Oh these sure look good! I think my kids would love these!
Beth says
Tonia, ummm.. I don’t even have words to describe these! HOLY MOLY!!!!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
Your Christmas party sounds like it was so much fun! I love these bars – they are so festive and look so gooey and delicious!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
When a recipe has “ooey gooey” in the name, you know it’s going to be good! These are so creative and look delicious, Tonia!
Mary@Bake Me A Scone says
These look so festive! They would be perfect on any Christmas table!
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
So pretty! My husband is a Rice Krispy Treat enthusiast- he’ll love these!
Tonia says
Oh yeah! The gooey-er the better, right? Thanks Jessy!
Kate @KateMovingForward says
Oh my! These look ridiculously yummy and so pretty too!
Tonia says
I love them for the holidays! Thanks Kate!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Yum! These are so festive!