If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s crunchy, chewy, and bursting with chocolatey goodness, you have to try this Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. It’s a delightful twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie, with the irresistible crunch of Rice Krispies cereal adding a fun texture contrast that makes every bite a little party. With just the right balance of buttery sweetness, a hint of molasses, and that toasty oatmeal backbone, these cookies are sure to become an instant favorite for sharing with friends or indulging in at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together simply but with purpose, each contributing to the perfect combination of texture, flavor, and color in your cookies. From the creamy butter creating richness to the cereal bringing playful crispness, every item on this list plays an essential role.
- 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature: The foundation for rich, tender cookies that melt in your mouth.
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed): Adds depth and a subtle caramel note that enhances overall sweetness.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Balances the brown sugar to keep the cookies just the right level of sweet.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Brings warm, aromatic flavor that amplifies all other taste elements.
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder: Subtly intensifies the chocolate flavor without any coffee taste.
- 2 tablespoons molasses: Locks in moisture for soft, chewy cookies that last longer.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add tenderness.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The structural base that gives cookies their shape and chew.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps your cookies rise just enough for lightness.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Works alongside baking powder to perfect the texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all flavors.
- 2 cups rolled oats: Adds wholesome texture and a gentle nutty flavor.
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal: The star ingredient contributing signature crunch and fun.
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup or honey: Coats the Rice Krispies to retain crunch even after baking.
- 1-2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk): Melts into pockets of gooey chocolate delight throughout.
- Sea salt for sprinkling: Adds a gourmet touch that accentuates the sweet and savory contrast.
- ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional): Introduces a tropical twist with chewy bursts of coconut flavor.
How to Make Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Coat the Rice Krispies
Start by gently mixing your Rice Krispies cereal with corn syrup or honey until the pieces are lightly coated. This step is crucial because it preserves the crunchiness of the cereal after baking. Be gentle—fold with a spatula rather than stirring vigorously to avoid crushing the delicate cereal. This little coating trick ensures that those Rice Krispies remain a standout feature in your cookies.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Next, beat the softened butter together with the brown and granulated sugars for about 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process creates tiny air pockets that contribute to a lovely texture. Trust me on this—using room temperature butter here makes all the difference in the lightness and fluffiness of your cookie dough.
Step 3: Add Molasses and Espresso Powder
Mix the molasses into your wet ingredients to help retain moisture and keep these cookies irresistibly chewy for days. Adding espresso powder at this stage allows it to dissolve fully and enhances the chocolate flavor without imparting coffee notes—this subtle boost transforms your cookies from good to unforgettable.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
Sprinkle the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt over the wet mixture, then mix on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing, as too much stirring can develop gluten and make your cookies tough. Keeping the mixing gentle ensures these rice krispie chocolate chip cookies stay tender with a perfect bite.
Step 5: Fold in Oats, Rice Krispies, and Chocolate Chips
Use a spatula to gently fold in the oats, prepared Rice Krispies, and chocolate chips with care. This preservation of the incorporated air and the intact condition of the Rice Krispies guarantees that signature crunch and delightful chewiness, every single time.
Step 6: Prepare the Baking Sheet
Scoop your cookie dough into balls and space them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Adequate spacing here is essential because it allows your cookies to spread properly without sticking together. Using a cookie scoop also helps to make sure that each cookie bakes evenly.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 9 to 11 minutes and pull them from the oven once the edges are golden and the centers look just slightly underdone. This precise timing delivers cookies with crisp edges and soft, chewy centers—a hallmark trait that makes this Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe so irresistible.
Step 8: Cool Before Moving
Let your cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This cooling period allows the cookies to firm up enough so they won’t fall apart, while still maintaining their wonderfully chewy centers. Patience here really pays off!
How to Serve Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling a light pinch of flaky sea salt over the freshly baked cookies makes all the difference, elevating the sweet-salty balance and highlighting the chocolate chips and crunchy Rice Krispies. Optionally, a dusting of powdered sugar or a few toasted coconut flakes can add visual appeal and extra flavor dimension.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with your favorite cold glass of milk for a classic combo, or try serving alongside creamy vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat. Hot chocolate or a bold cup of coffee also complements the nuanced flavors beautifully, especially when the cookies are still warm.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, stack your Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe cookies with layers of marshmallow fluff or peanut butter spread to make deluxe cookie sandwiches. You can also crumble some over a bowl of vanilla yogurt for a dessert parfait that adds crunch and chocolate flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days. Keeping the container sealed tightly prevents them from drying out, ensuring every bite remains just as delightful as the first.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either baked or unbaked. For baked cookies, place them in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 3 months—just thaw at room temperature before enjoying. For unbaked dough, scoop into balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag for convenient baking any time.
Reheating
To bring out that freshly baked warmth, reheat cookies in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. This gently warms them without drying out the chewy centers. Microwaving is faster but be cautious, as cookies can become too soft or chewy in spots.
FAQs
Can I substitute Rice Krispies with another cereal?
While Rice Krispies are perfect for that unique crunch and light texture, you can experiment with similar crispy cereals like cornflakes or puffed rice. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture might shift slightly.
What kind of chocolate chips work best?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips offer a great balance of sweetness with chocolate intensity, but milk chocolate chips add creaminess if you prefer softer chocolate pockets. Feel free to mix or match based on your preference.
Why is molasses included in the recipe?
Molasses acts as a natural humectant, locking in moisture so cookies stay soft and chewy for days, not just out of the oven. It also adds a subtle warm caramel note that blends beautifully with the brown sugar.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
With some adjustments, yes! Use gluten-free all-purpose flour and ensure your oats and Rice Krispies are certified gluten-free. This way, you won’t lose any of the cookie’s signature texture or flavor.
How do I prevent Rice Krispies from getting soggy in the cookies?
The secret is coating the Rice Krispies with a tablespoon of corn syrup or honey before folding them into the dough. This thin layer preserves their crispness through the baking process, giving you that delightful crunch.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe that makes every bite a comforting yet exciting experience. Whether you’re baking for family, guests, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these cookies promise smiles and happy taste buds all around. Give this recipe a try soon—you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed chocolate chip cookies without the crispy cereal surprise!
Print
Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies combine the classic crunch of Rice Krispies cereal with the soft, chewy texture of traditional chocolate chip cookies. Enhanced with oats, molasses, and espresso powder to intensify flavor and moisture retention, these cookies have a perfect balance of crispy edges and tender centers, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed for deeper flavor)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup or honey (for coating Rice Krispies)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
- 1–2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)
- Sea salt (for sprinkling on top)
- ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
Instructions
- Coat Rice Krispies: In a bowl, gently mix the Rice Krispies with corn syrup or honey until they’re lightly coated. Use a folding motion with a spatula to avoid crushing the cereal, ensuring it maintains its crunch after baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat the softened butter with both sugars for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy, creating air pockets essential for the cookie’s texture. Use room temperature butter for best results.
- Add Molasses and Espresso: Mix molasses into the wet ingredients to retain moisture and keep cookies soft. Add espresso powder here to dissolve fully and enhance, but not overpower, the chocolate flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt on top of the wet ingredient mixture, gently stirring to combine. Mix only on low speed until just incorporated to avoid tough cookies from gluten overdevelopment.
- Fold in Oats, Rice Krispies, and Chocolate Chips: Use a spatula to fold in the oats, lightly coated Rice Krispies, and chocolate chips gently to preserve airiness and keep the cereal intact for crunch.
- Shape and Space Cookies: Scoop cookie dough into balls and place them about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet to allow for spreading and proper air circulation. Uniform scoops help cookies bake evenly.
- Bake: Bake the cookies at 350°F (177°C) for 9-11 minutes. Remove them when the edges are golden but the centers appear slightly underdone to ensure soft and chewy centers.
- Cool: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period prevents them from breaking apart and helps maintain their chewy texture.
Notes
- Using room temperature butter is key for proper creaming and airy texture.
- Coating Rice Krispies with syrup helps them stay crunchy after baking.
- Do not overmix the dough once flour is added to avoid tough cookies.
- Removing cookies from the oven slightly underdone ensures chewy centers once cooled.
- Optional shredded coconut adds texture and flavor variation but can be omitted.
- Adjust chocolate chip quantity depending on desired sweetness and texture.
- Use sea salt flakes on top to enhance the chocolate flavor with a slight salty contrast.
