If you’re looking to bring some cheeky holiday cheer to your dessert table, this Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings Recipe is a total winner. These adorable no-bake treats capture the spirit of classic Christmas puddings but with a fun, crispy twist that everyone will love. Packed with chocolate, golden syrup, and festive decorations, these mini puddings are as delightful to make as they are to eat—perfect for sharing with friends, family, or sneaking a few bites yourself!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the simplicity of this Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings Recipe fool you—each ingredient plays a vital role in creating that perfect balance of crispy texture, sweet chocolatey richness, and festive flair.
- 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal: The crunchy base that gives these puddings their iconic crispy bite.
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips: Melts smoothly to create a decadent coating that brings everything together.
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter: Adds creamy richness and helps bind the ingredients harmoniously.
- 1/4 cup golden syrup (or light corn syrup): Provides that beautiful sticky sweetness and chewiness.
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses the mixture with warm, inviting flavor notes.
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (for topping): Creates a luscious “custard” effect on top of each pudding.
- Red and green M&M’s or small candies (for decoration): Mimic festive holly berries and lend a pop of Christmas color.
- Green icing or fondant (optional for holly leaves): Adds an extra decorative touch to make your puddings truly festive.
How to Make Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings Recipe
Step 1: Melt and Mix the Chocolate Base
Start by gently melting the unsalted butter, milk chocolate chips, and golden syrup together in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until everything is silky smooth and combined. Once melted, remove the pan from the heat and gently stir in the vanilla extract—this little trick amps up the flavor beautifully.
Step 2: Incorporate the Rice Krispies
Next, pour in your Rice Krispies cereal and fold them into the warm chocolate mixture. Make sure every crispy grain is perfectly coated—that’s the secret to those wonderfully crunchy and gooey bites we’re after.
Step 3: Shape the Mini Puddings
Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, just enough so you can handle it without burning your fingers. Then scoop out heaping tablespoons and roll them into little balls resembling mini Christmas puddings. Place each one on a parchment-lined tray, ready for chilling.
Step 4: Chill Until Firm
Pop your tray into the fridge and let those little beauties set for about 20 to 30 minutes. This step is crucial—it helps the puddings hold their shape and makes decorating a breeze.
Step 5: Decorate with White Chocolate and Candy
Melt the white chocolate chips either carefully in the microwave or over a double boiler until smooth and creamy. Spoon a little white chocolate over the top of each pudding to mimic that classic custard topping. While the white chocolate is still soft, place red and green M&M’s or candies to resemble festive holly berries and leaves. For an extra festive boost, add green fondant or pipe some green icing as holly leaves.
Step 6: Final Chill and Serve
Chill again briefly to set the decoration. Once firm, your Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings are ready to charm guests or be gobbled up as the perfect holiday treat.
How to Serve Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your puddings, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar to mimic snow or add a tiny sprig of fresh mint alongside for a pop of green freshness. These small touches bring a bit of magic and make them look even more inviting on your holiday dessert spread.
Side Dishes
Pair these Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce for a comforting contrast. Fresh berries or a tangy cranberry compote also complement the sweet crunch perfectly, balancing flavors and textures delightfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these little treats in festive cupcake liners or on a decorative cake stand surrounded by holly leaves and cinnamon sticks for a charming centerpiece. You can also box them up as edible gifts—just add a ribbon and holiday tag, and you have an irresistible handmade present.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay crispy and delicious for up to 5 days, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for busy holiday weeks.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these puddings well in advance, you can freeze them. Place the puddings on a tray to freeze individually for an hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When wrapped properly, they keep well for up to 1 month. Just thaw in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
Since these are best enjoyed cool and crisp, reheating is usually unnecessary. If you prefer a slightly softer texture, leave them out at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them too soft and lose their charm.
FAQs
Can I use a different cereal instead of Rice Krispies in this recipe?
Absolutely! While Rice Krispies are classic for that iconic crunch and light texture, puffed wheat or cornflakes can work too. Just expect a slightly different texture and flavor.
Is this Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings Recipe suitable for kids to help make?
Yes, it’s perfect for little chefs! Just make sure an adult handles the melting of chocolate and hot ingredients. Rolling and decorating are fun, safe activities kids will love.
What if I don’t have golden syrup—can I substitute it?
You can swap golden syrup with light corn syrup or honey. Each will bring a slightly different flavor note, but all will provide the necessary sticky sweetness to bind the ingredients.
How long do these Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings keep at room temperature?
Because of the chocolate and butter content, it’s best to keep them refrigerated and not leave them out for more than a couple of hours to maintain freshness and prevent melting.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Definitely! Just make sure to use gluten-free Rice Krispies or a similar gluten-free crispy cereal, and check that your other ingredients like candies are certified gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
This Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings Recipe is such a joyful and easy way to bring festive spirit to your kitchen. They’re crunchy, chocolaty, and irresistibly cute, plus so simple to customize with your favorite decorations. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a holiday tradition everyone looks forward to. So grab those ingredients and start creating your own batch of holiday magic today!
Print
Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 mini puddings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: British-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Rice Krispie Christmas Puddings are a delightful no-bake treat, perfect for the holiday season. Made by combining melted milk chocolate, butter, and golden syrup with crispy Rice Krispies, then shaped into mini pudding forms and topped with white chocolate ‘custard’ and colorful candy decorations to resemble holly berries and leaves. These easy-to-make desserts are kid-friendly and bring a charming, playful touch to any holiday dessert table.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup golden syrup (or light corn syrup)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings and Decorations
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (for topping)
- Red and green M&M’s or small candies (for decoration)
- Green icing or fondant (optional for holly leaves)
Instructions
- Melt Chocolate Mixture: In a medium saucepan over low heat, gently melt the butter, milk chocolate chips, and golden syrup, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Combine with Rice Krispies: Add the Rice Krispies cereal to the melted chocolate mixture and stir thoroughly until all cereal pieces are evenly coated with the chocolate mixture, ensuring every crisp is covered.
- Shape Puddings: Allow the mixture to cool slightly so it’s easier to handle. Then, scoop out heaping tablespoons and roll each into a ball to form mini pudding shapes. Place each formed ball onto a parchment-lined tray to prepare for chilling.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the shaped pudding balls for 20 to 30 minutes until they are firm and hold their shape well.
- Prepare White Chocolate Topping: Melt the white chocolate chips using a microwave in short bursts or a double boiler method until smooth.
- Decorate Puddings: Spoon a small amount of melted white chocolate over the top of each Rice Krispie ball to mimic traditional custard. Before the white chocolate sets, adorn each pudding with red and green M&M’s or small candies to represent holly berries and leaves. Optionally, add green icing or fondant holly leaves for an extra festive look.
- Final Chill: Return the decorated puddings to the refrigerator until the white chocolate topping is completely set. Once firm, they are ready to be served or stored in an airtight container for later enjoyment.
Notes
- These no-bake treats are perfect for children to help make and decorate.
- Use green fondant to cut out small holly leaves or pipe green icing on for an extra festive decoration touch.
- Store the puddings in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for up to a week.
- Substitute golden syrup with light corn syrup if preferred.
