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Red, White, and Blue Marshmallow Bars

Red, White, and Blue Marshmallow Bars are soft, chewy, and packed with mini marshmallows for bold patriotic color. This no-bake method uses melted marshmallows to bind crispy rice cereal, then sets in the pan for clean, sliceable bars.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
cooling and setting 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 260
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

crispy rice cereal
  • 6 cup crispy rice cereal
unsalted butter
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
mini marshmallows
  • 10 oz mini marshmallows
  • 1 cup mini red, white, and blue marshmallows
vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
patriotic sprinkles
  • 0.5 cup patriotic sprinkles
red food coloring
  • 0.5 red food coloring
blue food coloring
  • 0.5 blue food coloring

Equipment

  • 1 large pot

Method
 

Prep the pan
  1. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper so the bars lift out cleanly after setting. Ensure the parchment fits with overhang for easy removal.
Melt and flavor the marshmallow base
  1. Melt the butter in a large pot over low heat until fully melted and glossy. Keep the heat low so the mixture stays smooth.
  2. Add mini marshmallows and stir continuously until completely melted, with no lumps. Continue over low heat until the mixture looks silky and uniform.
  3. Stir in vanilla extract and mix until the scent blooms and the base looks even. Turn off the heat if needed to prevent scorching.
Color and bind the cereal
  1. Divide the marshmallow mixture into three bowls so each portion can be colored separately. Use equal portions for neat patriotic stripes.
  2. Leave one portion white. It should remain uncolored for the contrast stripes.
  3. Tint one portion red with red food coloring and stir until evenly colored. The mixture should show a consistent red tone with no streaks.
  4. Tint one portion blue with blue food coloring and stir until evenly colored. The mixture should show a consistent blue tone with no streaks.
  5. Fold crispy rice cereal evenly into the white portion until fully coated. The cereal should look suspended and clumped together rather than dry.
  6. Fold crispy rice cereal evenly into the red portion until fully coated. Press and mix gently so the color stays vivid.
  7. Fold crispy rice cereal evenly into the blue portion until fully coated. Mix until the cereal is evenly distributed throughout the colored base.
Assemble the bars
  1. Press the colored mixtures into the baking dish in patriotic stripes. Pack it firmly for bars that slice cleanly.
  2. Top the bars with mini red, white, and blue marshmallows and patriotic sprinkles. Add them evenly so each square has visible color.
Cool and slice
  1. Allow bars to cool and set for 30 minutes until firm to the touch. A fully set surface makes clean squares instead of sticky edges.
  2. Slice into squares and serve. Lift using the parchment overhang for easier cutting and removal.

Notes

For the cleanest stripes, press each colored layer gently but firmly so it bonds before adding the next. Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days; refrigerate up to 5 days for firmer bars. Freezing is not recommended because sprinkles and marshmallows can lose texture after thawing. For a gluten-free swap, use certified gluten-free crispy rice cereal.