Rice Krispies treats are incredibly fast and easy to make. They are very popular, and—at least for me—nostalgic. In addition to having an addictive taste, Rice Krispies treats are also very malleable and versatile—so much so that they are sculpted and used as part of elaborate cakes and other displays.

What's awesome about this recipe is that making the pinwheel shape is a very simple process that doesn't require much experience or effort, and you can easily customize the ingredients to individual tastes.

I have always loved to bake. In high school, I would often bake at home over the weekend and share the desserts I made with my friends at lunch. (PSA: It's a great way to make friends!) My freshman year at college, my peer mentor let me use her kitchen, but now that she has graduated, I need to find ways to express my creativity through baking using only the microwave on my floor and the limited supplies available to me.

Here are the ingredient proportions for my favorite recipe for chewy Rice Krispie treats (adapted from the Original Treats recipe).

Rice Krispies Treat

  • Prep Time:10 mins
  • Cook Time:5 mins
  • Total Time:15 mins
  • Servings:12
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter salted
  • 5 cup cereal
  • 1 10 ounce bag marshmallows

#SpoonTip: Use a different kind of cereal or combine several to change the texture and flavor profile of your treats. You can even add texture with crushed Oreos, sprinkles and other mix-ins by stirring them into the dry cereal before adding melted marshmallows.

Don’t like Nutella? You can also switch up your filling. Try melted chocolate, peanut butter, or cookie butter for decadent treats. 

coffee, milk, cream, tea, espresso, cappuccino
Zoë Meadow

Math time: My bag contains 40 marshmallows, but my mug holds only ten marshmallows. What do I have to do to the recipe  to make it more mug-friendly? (Answer: divide by 4.) 

Updated Dorm-Style Rice Krispies Treat Recipe (per 1 mug)

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:30 secs
  • Total Time:5 mins 30 secs
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 1/4 cups cereal
  • 10 large marshmallows
  • Additional mix-ins if desired
candy, milk, sweet
Photo by Zoë Meadow
  • Step 1

    Melt butter and marshmallows in a mug for 30 seconds.

    #SpoonTip: Marshmallows puff up in the microwave, especially in a small cup or bow so be careful.

    coffee, espresso, tea, cappuccino
    Photo by Zoë Medaow
  • Step 2

    Stir well. If lumps remain, heat for an additional 10 seconds. Repeat as needed.

    milk, cream, sweet, dairy product, coffee, chocolate
    Photo by Zoë Meadow
  • Step 3

    Mix in cereal.

    yogurt
    Photo by Zoë Meadow
  • Step 4

    Grease pan and spread mixture in an even layer. Let cool until firm, yet flexible. The Rice Krispies treats should be tacky, but not overly sticky.

    cereal, corn, porridge, wheat, rice, oatmeal, milk, oatmeal cereal
    Photo by Zoë Meadow

Here I used a 6 inch square tupperware. Don't have tupperware? Use a clean to-go/takeout box or get creative and make your own container.

(To make a pinwheel shape, the Rice Krispies treats need to be thin. If you just want to make squares, double or triple the recipe to get a nice thickness.)

Now let's make things fancy. 

Rice Krispies Treat Pinwheel

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:0
  • Total Time:5 mins
  • Servings:6
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 2 batches dorm-style Rice Krispies treats
  • Nutella to taste
  • Additional toppings if desired
  • 1 gallon-sized Ziplock bag
  • Extra butter or oil to grease hands and tools
oatmeal
Photo by Zoë Meadow
  • Step 1

    Cut along the side seams of the Ziplock bag to create one long plastic rectangle. This will be your work surface.

    beer, cake, tea, bacon, pizza
    Photo by Zoë Meadow
  • Step 2

    Lay the two Rice Krispies treats side by side and use your fingers to press them together along one edge.

    cookie, sweet, rice, wheat, cracker, oatmeal, cake
    Photo by Zoë Meadow
  • Step 3

    Scoop several tablespoons of Nutella onto the treats and spread evenly. Leave room along the edges to avoid leakage when you roll the pinwheels.

    chocolate, cake, pie, cream
    Photo by Zoë Meadow
  • Step 4

    To begin the pinwheel, roll one short edge tightly onto itself.

    chocolate, cake, cream, chocolate cake
    Photo by Zoë Meadow
  • Step 5

    Continue rolling the treats into a cylinder, lifting and pulling the plastic bag to help create a compact roll.

    chocolate, peanut butter, peanut, cream
    Photo by Zoë Meadow
  • Step 6

    Refrigerate until ready to eat. These treats slice better when cold, but taste best just below room temperature. I cut mine into 6 slices about 1 to 1 1/2 in thick, but servings can vary based on how big you want each pinwheel.

    rice, chocolate
    Photo by Zoë Meadow

Tips and Tricks I've Learned For Rice Krispies Treats and Baking in Your Dorm Room

1. Grease your hands and all your tools before handling warm marshmallow and cereal mix. It’s very sticky. Good news: The high sugar content in marshmallows makes them water soluble. Soak your mug and bowl in hot water for a few minutes to let the leftover goo dissolve before washing.

2. Minimal supplies also means minimal dedicated counter space. Lay out a towel to protect your stuff and have a vacuum on hand. 

3. Make sure your Rice Krispies Treats are evenly spread, without holes to avoid Nutella leakage.

All in all, these pinwheels were a success. They were simple to make and tasted great. Small batch baking (or microwaving) can be a tedious process, especially when you buy ingredients in full-size packages. But if I'm ever craving a sweet-crunchy-chewy treat, I'd definitely make these again.

Oddly enough, my roommate said she wouldn't mind me making them again either.