Circus Animal Krispie Treats

Featured in Sweet Moments of Joy.

Bring a burst of childhood joy to your dessert table with chewy marshmallow cereal bars, blended with chopped circus animal cookies for crunch and flavor. Buttery and soft, these bars are layered with colorful sprinkles, then drizzled with creamy white and pink chocolate for festive flair. Every bite delivers gooey texture from the melted marshmallows and a delightful mix of sweet, vibrant cookie pieces. Simple steps and easy-to-find ingredients make them ideal for celebrations, parties, or weeknight treats. Share these whimsical, nostalgic bars with kids and grown-ups alike and watch them disappear.

Barbara Chef
Updated on Mon, 23 Jun 2025 14:04:35 GMT
A piece of cake with marshmallows on top. Pin it
A piece of cake with marshmallows on top. | gracefulflavors.com

Circus Animal Cookie Rice Krispie Treats bring playful color and sweet nostalgia to every bite All the marshmallowy goodness of the classic treat gets leveled up with bits of pink frosted circus cookies and sprinkles These are the kind of desserts that light up a kids birthday party but honestly adults devour them just as quickly

When my son came home after his first piano recital with his friends I made a batch of these and they were gone before dinner Even the grownups sneaked extra pieces

Ingredients

  • Circus animal cookies: for nostalgic flavor and a crispy bite Choose a brand with extra frosting and sprinkles for the best pops of color
  • Mini marshmallows: for that classic gooey chew Fresh marshmallows melt more smoothly so always check for softness
  • Rice Krispies cereal: gives these their signature crunch Make sure they are crisp not stale for the lightest treats
  • Unsalted butter: adds rich flavor and helps everything stick together Use good quality butter for a more buttery finish
  • Multi colored nonpareils and colored sprinkles: bring bright festive color Try using a mix of shapes and sizes to keep things fun
  • White chocolate chips: for a creamy sweet drizzle Look for real white chocolate for easy melting and best flavor
  • Red food coloring: turns some white chocolate into a festive pink for drizzling A little goes a long way for the perfect playful look

Step by Step Instructions

Prepare the Pan:
Spray a nine by thirteen inch baking dish with non stick spray This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy
Crush the Cookies:
Add all circus animal cookies to a food processor and pulse until you have both crumbs and small nugget pieces Reserve one half cup of the pieces for the topping
Melt the Butter and Marshmallows:
In a large non stick pot melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat Stir constantly to avoid burning and create a silky smooth blend
Mix the Cereal Base:
Take the pot off the heat Add rice cereal crushed cookies plus one tablespoon each of nonpareils and sprinkles Mix gently with a spatula until everything is coated Add another tablespoon each of nonpareils and sprinkles for even more bursts of color
Spread and Press:
Spoon the mixture into your prepared dish Use a silicone spatula to gently press down for an even layer Do not press too hard so treats stay soft
Add the Cookie Topping:
Sprinkle reserved cookie pieces across the top pressing lightly so they adhere
Melt and Color the Chocolate:
Divide white chocolate chips between two small bowls Microwave one bowl at a time for thirty seconds then stir until melted silky and lump free
Drizzle with White Chocolate:
Pour melted white chocolate into a sandwich bag Snip off a tiny corner and drizzle in zigzags over treats
Make Pink Chocolate Drizzle:
Mix a little red food coloring into the second bowl of melted white chocolate Stir until you reach a soft pink hue If chocolate thickens add a splash of cream Transfer to a separate bag snip corner and drizzle in the opposite direction
Finish with Sprinkles:
Top with extra nonpareils and sprinkles for vivid flair
Set and Cool:
Let the treats cool at room temperature until firm for clean slicing
A pink and white candy bar with sprinkles. Pin it
A pink and white candy bar with sprinkles. | gracefulflavors.com

One of my favorite ingredients is the circus animal cookies themselves Sometimes I pick out the cookie piece with the thickest frosting as my reward for finishing the batch Every time I make these my kitchen smells like a birthday party from my childhood

Storage Tips

Store the treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days Place wax paper between layers to keep them from sticking together If you want to keep them longer freeze individual squares wrapped in plastic then pop one out when you need a sweet pick me up

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap circus animal cookies for any sprinkle coated frosted cookie but be sure it has plenty of color If you are out of white chocolate chips try melting almond bark or even regular milk chocolate For a classic look without colored drizzle stick with plain white chocolate or dust with extra sprinkles instead

Serving Suggestions

Cut these into bars or even fun shapes with cookie cutters for parties and birthdays Stack them on a platter for bake sales or wrap individually for lunchbox treats They also work great as part of a colorful dessert table at baby showers or kids playdates

A pink and white candy bar with sprinkles. Pin it
A pink and white candy bar with sprinkles. | gracefulflavors.com

Cultural and Historical Context

Rice Krispie treats first started as a mid century American dessert that worked for potlucks and picnics Today kids and adults both crave those chewy squares Circus animal cookies have been around for over a century so mixing the two feels like bringing together generations of childhood favorites

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do you keep the bars soft and chewy?

Gently melt the butter and marshmallows over low heat and avoid pressing the mixture too firmly into the pan to maintain a soft, chewy texture.

→ Can I use different cookies?

Yes, any frosted or iced animal-shaped cookies can work, but circus animal cookies give the most authentic look and flavor.

→ What’s the best way to drizzle the chocolate?

Melt white chocolate chips, use a sandwich bag with a small snipped corner, and drizzle in thin lines for a decorative finish.

→ Are these treats best served fresh or can they be made ahead?

These bars taste best within 2 days of making, but can be stored airtight at room temperature for up to 4 days.

→ Is food coloring necessary for the pink drizzle?

Food coloring adds a festive touch, but you can skip it if preferred or use naturally colored chocolate melts.

Circus Animal Krispie Treats

Chewy bars with circus animal cookies, marshmallows, and sprinkles for a colorful, nostalgic treat everyone loves.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Barbara


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 15 Servings (15 bars)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 9 ounces Circus Animal Cookies, roughly crushed and divided
02 10 ounces mini marshmallows
03 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
04 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Decorative Additions

05 3 tablespoons multi-colored nonpareils, divided
06 3 tablespoons colored sprinkles, divided
07 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, divided
08 Red food coloring
09 Optional: 1/2 teaspoon heavy cream, for thinning chocolate if necessary

Instructions

Step 01

Lightly coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 02

Pulse Circus Animal Cookies in a food processor 3–4 times, so mixture contains both crumbs and small pieces. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cookie pieces for topping.

Step 03

In a large non-stick pot over low heat, melt unsalted butter and mini marshmallows, stirring often until smooth.

Step 04

Remove pot from heat. Add Rice Krispies cereal, cookie crumbs (except reserved 1/2 cup), 1 tablespoon nonpareils, and 1 tablespoon colored sprinkles. Stir thoroughly. Add an additional 1 tablespoon of nonpareils and sprinkles, then mix again for even distribution.

Step 05

Evenly press the mixture into the prepared baking dish using a silicone spatula. Sprinkle reserved cookie pieces on top.

Step 06

In two small bowls, place 1/4 cup white chocolate chips in each. Microwave both bowls for 30 seconds, then stir until fully melted and smooth.

Step 07

Transfer the plain melted white chocolate into a sandwich bag, snip a small corner, and drizzle over the treats.

Step 08

Add a tiny amount of red food coloring to the second bowl of melted white chocolate, stirring until a light pink hue is achieved. If the chocolate becomes too thick, blend in 1/2 teaspoon heavy cream until smooth. Transfer to a new sandwich bag, snip a corner, and drizzle over treats in the opposite direction of the white chocolate.

Step 09

Sprinkle remaining tablespoon of nonpareils and colored sprinkles evenly across the top for color and crunch.

Step 10

Allow treats to cool at room temperature until fully set before slicing into bars.

Notes

  1. For clean lines, use a lightly greased, sharp knife to cut after treats have cooled completely.
  2. Add food coloring sparingly—too much can quickly turn the chocolate deep red.

Tools You'll Need

  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Food processor or blender
  • 9 x 13-inch baking dish
  • Large non-stick pot
  • Silicone spatula
  • 2 sandwich bags
  • Scissors
  • 2 small mixing bowls

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains milk, wheat, and soy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 299
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 51 g
  • Protein: 3 g