This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full Disclosure Policy for details.
These Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats put a festive spin on the classic marshmallow treat with bright orange zest, orange juice, and sweet-tart dried cranberries. They are chewy, crispy, easy to make, and perfect when you need a simple fall or holiday dessert.
Want to see more Love Bakes Good Cakes recipes on Google?
With just six ingredients and about 20 minutes of hands-on time, this is an easy treat for parties, holiday trays, potlucks, or an afternoon snack. The cranberry-orange combination gives an old favorite a little something extra without making the recipe complicated.
Table of Contents
- ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- What are Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats?
- Key Ingredients
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- Variations
- Tips for Best Results
- FAQs
- Storage
- Quick Steps
- Make Ahead
- What to serve with Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats
- If You Enjoyed Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats
- 📌 Save This Recipe
- Cranberry Orange Crispy Treats Recipe
- 🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy – You only need about 20 minutes of hands-on time.
- Only six ingredients – Nothing complicated or hard to find.
- A twist on a classic – Orange and cranberry make ordinary crispy rice treats feel a little more special.
- No oven needed – Everything comes together on the stovetop before the treats cool and set.
- Great for fall and the holidays – Cranberry and orange holiday rice crispy treats are right at home on Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert tables.
- Easy to share – One 9×13-inch pan makes 24 treats.
What are Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats?
Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats are a variation of classic marshmallow crispy rice treats. They start with the familiar combination of butter, marshmallows, and crisp rice cereal, then add orange zest, orange juice, and chopped dried cranberries.
The orange gives the treats a fresh citrus flavor while the cranberries add little bursts of sweet-tart chewiness. It is a simple change that makes the familiar recipe feel completely different.
Key Ingredients
NOTE: This section highlights ingredients used in the recipe. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
Crisp rice cereal – Provides the light, crispy texture that makes these treats a classic.
Mini marshmallows – Melt into the sweet, sticky mixture that holds everything together.
Butter or margarine – Helps melt the marshmallows smoothly and adds richness.
Orange zest – Adds concentrated orange flavor without adding extra liquid.
Orange juice – Brings another layer of fresh citrus flavor to the marshmallow mixture.
Dried cranberries – Add sweet-tart flavor and a chewy contrast to the crispy cereal.
Ingredients & Substitutions
NOTE: This section suggests substitutions. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- Butter or margarine – Either works as written in the original recipe.
- Mini marshmallows – Regular marshmallows can be used instead. Use 10 ounces total.
- Orange zest – Fresh zest gives these treats their concentrated citrus flavor. No recommended substitution.
- Orange juice – Fresh or prepared orange juice will work.
- Crisp rice cereal – No recommended substitution for maintaining the intended crispy texture.
- Dried cranberries – These provide the cranberry flavor and chewy texture. No recommended substitution for the original cranberry-orange flavor.
Variations
- Extra cranberry – Sprinkle a few additional chopped dried cranberries over the top before the treats set.
- More orange flavor – Add a little extra orange zest for a stronger citrus flavor without adding more liquid.
- Smaller bites – Cut the finished treats into smaller squares for parties and dessert trays.
- Holiday shapes – Instead of squares, use cookie cutters to cut completely cooled treats into festive shapes.
Tips for Best Results
- Use low heat. High heat can make the marshmallow mixture harder to work with.
- Do not walk away from the marshmallows. Stir occasionally while they melt so the mixture stays smooth.
- Work quickly once the cereal is added. The mixture becomes harder to spread as it cools.
- Grease your hands or spatula. This keeps the sticky cereal mixture from clinging to everything.
- Press gently. You want an even layer without crushing the cereal.
- Give them time to set. Allow the full 2 hours before cutting for cleaner squares.
FAQs
Yes. Mini marshmallows melt quickly and evenly, but you can also use larger marshmallows. You will need about 10 ounces total.
Fresh orange juice works especially well here since you already need a fresh orange for the zest. You only need 2 tablespoons of juice.
You can, but then you will lose the cranberry part of the cranberry-orange flavor combination. If you want classic orange crispy rice treats, you can omit them.
Too much heat or packing the cereal mixture too firmly into the pan can contribute to harder treats. Melt the marshmallows over low heat and press the mixture gently and evenly into the pan.
That marshmallow mixture is sticky! Lightly grease your hands or use a greased spatula to press the mixture into the baking dish.
Allow about 2 hours for the treats to cool completely and set before cutting.
Absolutely. Cranberry and orange are a classic holiday combination, making these especially fitting for Christmas dessert trays, parties, and treat boxes.
Storage
Store Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats in an airtight container at room temperature. If you stack them, place parchment or wax paper between the layers to help keep them from sticking together.
Quick Steps
NOTE: This section includes a step-by-step guide. Find the full printable recipe in the recipe card below.
- Prepare the pan. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Melt the marshmallows. Melt the butter over low heat, then add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
- Add the orange. Stir in the orange zest and orange juice, then remove the pan from the heat.
- Add the cereal and cranberries. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Press into the pan. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Cool and set. Let the treats sit for about 2 hours before cutting them into 2-inch squares.
Make Ahead
Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats are a good make-ahead dessert because they need about 2 hours to cool and set anyway. Make them earlier in the day, let them cool completely, then cut them when you are ready to serve.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
For the best texture, keep them covered once they have cooled.
What to serve with Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats
These holiday rice crispy treats work especially well in a holiday dessert spread. Serve them alongside cookies, fudge, candies, brownies, or other small treats so everyone can grab a little of everything.
For a casual snack, they are also great with coffee, hot chocolate, or a cold glass of milk.
Because the cranberry and orange flavors lean toward fall and winter, these are an easy addition to Thanksgiving gatherings, Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or holiday movie nights.
If You Enjoyed Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats
If you love the cranberry-orange combination, try my Orange Cranberry Bread next. It packs those same bright, sweet-tart flavors into an easy quick bread that works for breakfast, snacking, or a holiday spread.
My Cranberry Orange Christmas Sandies are another great holiday choice. These buttery cookies combine dried cranberries and orange zest, making them a natural follow-up if this is one of your favorite seasonal flavor combinations.
For another easy cranberry recipe, give my Cranberry Jam a try. It is sweet, tart, simple to make, and especially handy during the holiday season.
If you want cranberry and orange at breakfast, my Cranberry Orange Pancakes are worth adding to the menu. They bring the same citrusy, tart combination to a cozy stack of homemade pancakes.
My No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Cheesecake is perfect when the orange flavor is your favorite part. It pairs bright citrus with creamy vanilla in another easy dessert that doesn’t require baking.
And for another cranberry-orange holiday classic, try my Cranberry Sauce. It uses that familiar sweet-tart cranberry and citrus pairing and is a must-have when Thanksgiving rolls around.
Looking for more ideas? Browse the Love Bakes Good Cakes Recipe Index to find easy desserts, family-friendly meals, holiday favorites, and plenty of inspiration for whatever you’re craving next.
📌 Save This Recipe
Keep this Cranberry Orange Rice Crispy Treats recipe handy when you need an easy dessert with a seasonal twist. They are simple enough for an everyday treat but festive enough to add to a holiday dessert tray.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Cranberry Orange Crispy Treats
Would you like to save this?
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
- large saucepan
- 9×13 inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 bag mini marshmallows, 10 oz.
- zest from one medium orange
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 6 cups crisp rice cereal
- 1 cup roughly chopped dried cranberries
Instructions
- Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Melt the butter over low heat in a 5-quart or larger saucepan. Add the marshmallows and stir. Let the marshmallows melt completely, stirring occasionally.3 tablespoons butter or margarine, 1 bag mini marshmallows
- Add the orange zest and orange juice and stir to combine. Remove from the heat.zest from one medium orange, 2 tablespoons orange juice
- Add the crisp rice cereal and dried cranberries. Stir until well combined and completely coated with the marshmallow mixture.6 cups crisp rice cereal, 1 cup roughly chopped dried cranberries
- Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Press the cereal mixture down evenly with greased hands or a spatula.
- Allow the cereal mixture to cool completely and set, about 2 hours.
- Just before serving, cut into 2-inch squares.
Notes
🥡 Storage
- Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Place parchment or wax paper between layers if stacking.
♨️ Reheating
- No reheating is necessary. Serve these treats at room temperature.
❄️ Freezing
- Freezing is not recommended for the best crispy, chewy texture.
💡 Tips for Best Results
- Melt the marshmallows over low heat.
- Work quickly after adding the cereal.
- Grease your hands or spatula before pressing the mixture into the pan.
- Press gently rather than packing the cereal tightly.
- Allow the treats to cool completely before cutting.
🍳 Alternate Cooking Methods
No alternate cooking methods are recommended. The stovetop method provides the best control when melting the butter and marshmallows.♻️ Leftovers
- Cut leftover treats into smaller bite-size pieces and add them to a holiday dessert platter or snack tray.
📝 Notes
- Fresh orange juice is a great option since you will already have an orange for the zest.
- Cut into 2-inch squares for approximately 24 servings.
- This recipe was originally shared as a cookbook review for Cute As a Fox.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few more reader-favorite recipes from Love Bakes Good Cakes you may want to try next.
I love this variation….definitely perfect for fall!
I forget about crispy treats too — I don't have any either! Terrible. Your first version is very original and you are in the game now!
Haha no blogging points lost. I frequently find myself thinking, Huh? I can't believe I don't have a recipe for that on my blog. One of these days I may get to it. But your version, amazing!
I figure with your kiddos you would be making crispy treats by the barrel full!! I am loving your flavor combo in these!!
I love cranberries, dried actually more than fresh – excellent idea to include them in your crispy treats ! Those critters look adorable and all, but I'll leave it up to the kids to make 😉 {and yours did volunteer, right?!}