Creating this fun XO Valentine’s Day Dessert is actually quite simple! Make up a batch of rice krispy treats, some fluffy pink marshmallow buttercream, and add some candy. Easy peasy and so fun!
This type of dessert is a hot new trend in baking. It started with a talented baker named Adi Klinghofer who makes numbers with cookies and frosting. She decorates hers with fruit, fresh flowers, candy, chocolate, etc. and is beyond creative!
Here is an example of one I made with cake, fresh flowers, and fruit. Friends loved it as not only is it pretty, but it’s also a bit of a “finger food”. Just cut off a small portion and enjoy!
This specific Valentine’s Day Dessert is made to be as kid-friendly as possible, so I made mine out of rice krispy treats! The kids can join in on every step of the process with this easy and delicious treat.
To make this Valentine’s Day Dessert you will need:
rice krispy recipe (below)
marshmallow buttercream recipe (below) — you can even use your own homemade marshmallow fluff in the buttercream!
Valentines Day inspired treats – chocolates, M&M’s, fruit, candy sweethearts, sprinkles, etc.
fresh flowers or piped buttercream flowers
small heart cookie cutter
paper cutouts of an X and O
sharp paring knife
piping bag fitted with large open round tip
Here is a video showing how I made this Valentine’s Day Dessert:
Tips, Tricks, Variations
Did you catch that fun tip in there? Use the scraps of the XO rice krispy cutouts to make mini hearts! I dipped the mini hearts in white chocolate and then covered some with sprinkles. These can be decorated any way you want and the kids sure have fun doing it. Add them right on top of your XO treat!
How do I make the XO?
I grabbed a standard piece of paper and sketched out an X and an O. Then I set it on top of the rice krsipies to make sure I could fit 2 X’s side by side. I folded the paper over so I could cut 2 X’s at a time. Next I used the scissors to perfect my lines so everything was straight. I repeated this with the O.
Pink Marshmallow Buttercream
I have to admit, this marshmallow buttercream just might be the star of the show. It’s SO GOOD!! I used just a few drops of McCormick Red Food Color to achieve the subtle pink color, but you can use as much or as little as you would like! I think a deep red marshmallow buttercream would be stunning as well!
I added buttercream roses to my Valentine’s Day treat instead of fresh. To see how I made a buttercream rose you can click here. If you decide to use fresh flowers be sure to wrap the stem in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before inserting into the rice krispy treat. You can also purchase food-grade flowers that are safe to set on edible treats.
Want more Valentine’s Day Treats?
Cake Decorating Idea’s {Valentine’s Day}
Red Velvet Peanut Butter Blossoms
Valentine’s Day Dessert
Ingredients
Rice Krispy Treats
- 6 c Rice Krispy cereal
- 6 tbsp. butter
- 1 16 ounce bag mini marshmallows, 1 cup set aside
Marshmallow Frosting
- 1 c 2 sticks or 226g salted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/4 c confectioners sugar
- 1/2 tsp. McCormick almond extract
- 2 -3 drops McCormick Red Food Color
- 6 oz marshmallow fluff
Instructions
Rice Krispy Treats
- Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat.
- Add marshmallows and cook until marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is well blended, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
- Add cereal; mix well.
- Add in last cup of marshmallows stirring to distribute. The marshmallows won't melt completely and that is exactly what you want.
- Press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray. Cool completely.
Marshmallow Frosting
- Cream butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium until butter is soft and fluffy.
- Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time.
- With the mixer on low, add in almond extract and food color.
- Gently fold the marshmallow creme into the frosting until thoroughly incorporated.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
Hi! If I want to do it like in the photo of the heart below, with sponge cake, not with cereals, what recipe do you recommend? Thank you in advanced
I am looking for a peanut butter icing recipe you had in the Valentine edition
The only thing better than Rice Krispie treats is adding marshmallow frosting! Thanks for the wonderful recipe.