Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings: A Festive Family Tradition

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Rice Krispie Christmas puddings transformed my holiday baking routine three years ago when my youngest daughter announced she wanted to help make “real” Christmas desserts.

As I watched her eager face, I knew traditional steamed puddings with their hours of preparation wouldn’t work for her six-year-old attention span. That’s when inspiration struck – why not create adorable festive rice krispie treats that capture all the charm of traditional Christmas puddings without the complexity?

These delightful no bake holiday desserts quickly became our family’s most requested Christmas tradition. What started as a solution for impatient little hands has evolved into something we all look forward to making together every December.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This rice krispie Christmas pudding recipe solves the eternal holiday dilemma of wanting beautiful, impressive treats without spending entire days in the kitchen. I discovered these gems during a particularly hectic Christmas season when I needed something spectacular for the school holiday fair but only had one evening to prepare.

The magic happens in just 30 minutes, making these perfect easy kids Christmas recipes that actually deliver professional-looking results. Unlike traditional Christmas pudding ideas that require weeks of preparation and aging, these festive rice krispie treats give you instant gratification while still capturing that classic Christmas pudding appearance. Plus, there’s no oven required – a blessing during busy holiday cooking when every burner and oven space is precious real estate.

Explore more quick & easy dinner recipes here to complete your holiday menu planning.

Ingredients List

Ingredient	Amount
Milk Chocolate	200 g
Butter (Unsalted)	50 g
Mini Marshmallows	180 g
Rice Krispies or Coco Pops	100 g
White Chocolate	50 g
White Sugarpaste or Pre-coloured Sugarpaste	As needed
Green Food Colour Gel	As needed
Red Food Colour Gel	As needed

These quick holiday treat recipes require simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand. The beauty of these Christmas rice krispie creations lies in their simplicity – each ingredient serves a specific purpose in creating those adorable miniature pudding shapes that’ll have everyone asking for your secret.

Find more delicious lunch ideas here for additional meal inspiration throughout the holiday season.

Step-by-Step Directions

Begin by melting your milk chocolate and butter together in a large microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals while stirring between each burst. This gentle approach prevents the chocolate from seizing and ensures a smooth, glossy base for your Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings.

Once melted and combined, add the mini marshmallows to the warm chocolate mixture. The residual heat will soften them slightly, creating that perfect chewy texture we’re after. Quickly fold in your Rice Krispies or Coco Pops, ensuring every piece gets coated in that rich chocolate mixture.

Working swiftly before the mixture cools, use damp hands to shape the mixture into small dome shapes resembling traditional Christmas puddings. Place each shaped pudding onto a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for 15 minutes to set firmly.

While your puddings chill, melt the white chocolate for the “icing” effect. Once your puddings have set, drizzle the melted white chocolate over the top of each dome, allowing it to drip down naturally for that authentic Christmas pudding appearance.

For the final festive touches, color small portions of sugarpaste with green and red food coloring. Roll the green paste into small holly leaf shapes and form tiny red berries from the red paste. Gently press these decorations onto the white chocolate “icing” while it’s still soft.

Exact Timing to make Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings

The beauty of this recipe lies in its speed and efficiency. Melting the chocolate and butter takes approximately 2-3 minutes in the microwave, while mixing in the marshmallows and cereal requires another 3-4 minutes of active preparation time.

Shaping your Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings should take about 8-10 minutes, depending on how many you’re making and your desired size. The initial chilling period requires 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes for melting and applying the white chocolate drizzle.

Creating and applying the sugarpaste decorations adds the final 5-7 minutes to your total preparation time. From start to finish, you’ll have beautiful, professional-looking festive treats ready in just 30 minutes – making this one of the most efficient holiday desserts you can create.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Per Serving (1 pudding)	% Daily Value
Calories	185	9%
Total Fat	8.2g	11%
Saturated Fat	5.1g	26%
Cholesterol	12mg	4%
Sodium	95mg	4%
Total Carbohydrates	28g	10%
Dietary Fiber	0.8g	3%
Total Sugars	24g	–
Added Sugars	22g	44%
Protein	2.8g	6%
Vitamin C	0mg	0%
Calcium	45mg	3%
Iron	1.2mg	7%

These nutritional values are based on a recipe yielding 12 servings. The primary caloric contributors come from the chocolate and marshmallows, providing quick energy ideal for holiday festivities. While these treats are higher in sugar content, they offer moderate portions that fit well into occasional holiday indulgences when enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Healthier Alternatives

Original Ingredient	Healthier Alternative	Nutritional Benefit
Milk Chocolate	Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa)	Higher antioxidants, lower sugar content
Mini Marshmallows	Sugar-free marshmallows or dates	Reduced added sugars, increased fiber
Rice Krispies	Whole grain puffed rice or quinoa puffs	Added fiber and protein
White Chocolate	Greek yogurt with vanilla extract	Increased protein, probiotics, lower sugar
Butter	Coconut oil or almond butter	Healthier fats, dairy-free option
Regular Sugarpaste	Natural fruit leather cut into shapes	No artificial colors, added fruit nutrients

Making these Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings healthier doesn’t mean sacrificing the festive fun. Dark chocolate provides the same rich flavor while delivering beneficial antioxidants and reducing overall sugar content. For families managing dietary restrictions, these swaps create gluten-free, dairy-free, or lower-sugar versions that everyone can enjoy.

Explore more delicious Desserts here for additional healthy holiday treat inspiration.

Serving Suggestions

Present your Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings on individual dessert plates with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream alongside, mimicking the traditional Christmas pudding service. The contrast between the cool, creamy accompaniment and the sweet, textured pudding creates a delightful eating experience that bridges nostalgic flavors with modern convenience.

Create an impressive dessert table centerpiece by arranging the puddings on a tiered serving stand, surrounded by festive greenery, cinnamon sticks, and battery-operated fairy lights. This presentation elevates these simple treats into something worthy of your most elegant holiday gatherings.

For children’s parties or casual family gatherings, serve these treats in colorful cupcake liners placed in a decorative basket lined with holiday-themed fabric. This approach makes them easy to grab and enjoy while maintaining the festive presentation that makes Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings so special.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overheating the chocolate ranks as the most frequent error when making Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings. Chocolate that gets too hot will seize and become grainy, ruining the smooth texture that makes these treats so appealing. Always use short microwave intervals and stir frequently to maintain that glossy, workable consistency.

Attempting to shape the mixture when it’s too warm leads to sticky hands and misshapen puddings that won’t hold their form. Wait for the mixture to cool slightly – it should be warm but not hot to the touch. Having damp hands helps prevent sticking while allowing you to create those perfect dome shapes.

Rushing the decoration process before the white chocolate has properly set results in decorations that slide off or sink into the surface. Allow each layer to firm up completely before adding the next element, ensuring your finished Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings maintain their professional appearance throughout the holiday season.

Storing Tips

Store your completed Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent the decorations from sticking together. Room temperature storage maintains the ideal texture – keeping them soft and chewy without becoming too firm.

For longer storage, these treats freeze beautifully for up to three months when wrapped individually in plastic wrap and stored in freezer-safe containers. Thaw frozen puddings at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving, allowing them to return to their optimal texture and flavor.

Avoid refrigerating your finished Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings unless absolutely necessary, as cold temperatures can make the chocolate coating too firm and alter the pleasant chewy texture of the rice krispie base. If you must refrigerate due to warm weather, bring them to room temperature before serving for the best eating experience.

FAQs

Can I make Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings ahead of time for holiday parties?

Absolutely! Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings actually improve in flavor when made 1-2 days ahead, allowing all the flavors to meld together beautifully. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll maintain their perfect texture while developing even richer chocolate flavors. This make-ahead capability makes them ideal for busy holiday schedules.

What’s the best way to get Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings to hold their dome shape?

The key to perfectly shaped Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings lies in the mixture temperature and hand technique. Let the chocolate mixture cool until it’s warm but not hot, then use slightly damp hands to prevent sticking. Work quickly but gently, pressing the mixture firmly into dome shapes. If the mixture becomes too stiff, warm it briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Can I substitute different cereals in my Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings recipe?

Yes! While Rice Krispies create the classic texture, you can experiment with Coco Pops for chocolate flavor, cornflakes for extra crunch, or even puffed quinoa for a healthier twist. Each cereal will slightly alter the final texture and flavor of your Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings, so choose based on your family’s preferences and dietary needs.

How do I prevent the white chocolate from cracking on my Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings?

White chocolate cracking typically occurs when there’s a temperature difference between the pudding base and the melted chocolate. Ensure your Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings are at room temperature before applying the white chocolate, and let the melted chocolate cool for 2-3 minutes before drizzling. Apply in thin layers rather than thick coatings to minimize cracking risks.