The cutest little Christmas Crackles that can be made into reindeers or Christmas puddings. Ready to eat in just 10 minutes, this is an easy Christmas baking recipe for the kids.
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!
Don't you just LOVE this time of year!?
In the lead up to Christmas, I love doing lots of festive baking with my son - and these Christmas Crackles are one of his favourite recipes to make.
It's time to spread some festive cheer with some delicious homemade food gifts - like these mini puddings and reindeer crackles, plus of course, a batch or two of Christmas rocky road, fudge, gingerbread and shortbread!
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
This is such a fun kids baking activity in the lead up to Christmas!
- Kid-Friendly Recipe - the kids will love getting into the kitchen and making their own Christmas crackles and then decorating them as mini puddings or reindeers.
- 10 Minute Recipe - this no-fuss recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare. The hardest part is waiting for the crackles to chill!
- Basic Ingredients - just 4 basic ingredients are required to make the Christmas crackles - and then add your favourite decorations on top (see my tips below for decorating as reindeers and puddings).
What You Need
My Christmas Crackles are just so cute... choose to decorate the crackles as reindeers or mini puddings - or a mixture of both!
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.
For The Crackles
- Rice Bubbles - or Rice Krispies or any other brand of puffed rice. Make sure you use a new box so that the rice bubbles are extra fresh and crunchy.
- Mars Bars - these chocolate, caramel and nougat bars give the crackles a sweet caramel flavour.
- Cream - use thickened or heavy cream.
- Cocoa Powder - use unsweetened cocoa powder.
For The Reindeers
- White Chocolate - for melting.
- Pretzels - cut in half. Use regular sized (not mini) pretzels.
- Red M&Ms - for Ruldolph the reindeer's nose!
For The Mini Puddings
- White Chocolate - for melting.
- Spearmint Leaves - cut in half. These are a popular soft jube lolly in Australia (especially at Christmas time). They are made by Allens, plus there are home brand varieties available too. If you don't have access to Spearmint Leaves, you can use any type of green soft jube lollies.
- Red M&Ms - or Smarties.
Step By Step Instructions
It takes just 10 minutes to prepare and decorate my reindeer and mini pudding Christmas crackles!
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method.
Step 1 - Chop
Chop the Mars Bars into small chunks and place into a large microwave-safe bowl.
Step 2 - Melt
Melt the Mars Bars, cream and cocoa powder in the microwave on 50% power for 2-3 minutes (or until melted).
Stir until smooth.
Note: There may still be some small lumps of Mars Bar which is completely fine.
Step 3 - Mix
Add the Rice Bubbles and stir until all of the Rice Bubbles are completely coated by the melted Mars Bar mixture.
Step 4 - Chill
Spoon the mixture into the holes of a lightly greased mini muffin tin.
Press down firmly and then place into the fridge for 10 minutes.
Step 5 - Decorate
Remove the Christmas crackles from the mini muffin tin and place onto a board or plate to decorate.
TIP: Use a flat knife to gently lift the Christmas Crackles out of the mini muffin tin. If the mixture is not firm enough, place back into the fridge until it has set firm.
Add a teaspoon of melted white chocolate to the top of each crackle and spread out gently.
To make the puddings, place the two Spearmint Leaf halves in a V shape pointing outwards. Add a red M&M to the middle.
To make the reindeers, place two pretzel halves pointing outwards in the middle of the crackle and then add a red M&M below for the nose.
Place back into the fridge to set.
Expert Tips & FAQ
Follow my tips for the perfect Christmas crackles!
I recommend buying a new box of Rice Bubbles (Rice Krispies) for this recipe. It's important that the Rice Bubbles are fresh so that the crackles are crunchy.
Yes! Older kids will be able to make this recipe all on their own. Younger children will need assistance melting the mixture in the microwave.
These crackles will last for up to 5 days.
Store in airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
This recipe is not suitable for freezing.
Related Recipes
For more Christmas baking recipes for kids, check out these great ideas!
- Chocolate Christmas Puddings | Kid-Friendly
- Christmas Ice-Cream Pudding | Choc Honeycomb, Clinkers & Maltesers
- Reindeer Noses - Free Christmas Printable Gift Bag
- Super Easy Christmas Reindeer Brownies
- Reindeer Food - Free Christmas Printable Gift Bag
- Chocolate Christmas House
- Tiny Teddy Christmas Candy Cane Sleighs
- The Famous 3 Ingredient Shortbread Recipe
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Mars Bar Chocolate Christmas Crackles
Ingredients
- 4 x 47g Mars Bars chopped
- 8 g (1 tbs) cocoa powder sifted
- 45 g (3 tbs) cream
- 90 g (3 cups) Rice Bubbles
- 150 g white chocolate melted
- spearmint leaves sliced in half lengthways
- red M&Ms to decorate
- pretzels halved
Instructions
- Place the chopped Mars Bars, cocoa powder and cream into a large microwave safe bowl. Melt on 50% power in 30 second bursts until melted (stirring each time). If using a Thermomix, melt for 2-3 minutes, 50 degrees, Speed 2.
- Add the Rice Bubbles to the melted Mars Bar mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Lightly spray a mini muffin baking tray with cooking oil.
- Place spoonfuls of the mixture into each hole and press down firmly. Place into the fridge for 10 minutes to set.
- Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate in the microwave on 50% powder, 2-3 minutes (stirring every 30 seconds). If using a Thermomix, melt for 3 minutes, 50 degrees, Speed 2.
- Remove the chocolate crackles from the muffin tray and place onto a flat board.
- To make the Christmas puddings, spread a little white chocolate over the top of the puddings, add 2 slices of spearmint leaves and a red M&M.
- To make the reindeers, place 2 pieces of pretzels as antlers and a red M&M as a nose.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Spearmint Leaves - cut in half. These are a popular green soft jube lolly in Australia (especially at Christmas time). They are made by Allens, plus there are home brand varieties available too. If you don't have access to Spearmint Leaves, you can use any type of green soft jube lollies
- I recommend buying a new box of Rice Bubbles (Rice Krispies) for this recipe. It's important that the Rice Bubbles are fresh so that the crackles are crunchy.
- Store in airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- This recipe is not suitable for freezing.
Diego Lopes
They look super cute!! Most importantly, they look delicious! Will sure try making these sometime =)