Tangy Lemon Cheesecake Rice Krispie Treats Recipe to Adore

Sweet, no-bake lemon cheesecake rice krispie treats burst with zesty flavor and creamy goodness.

This delightful dessert combines the classic marshmallow base with tangy cream cheese and bright citrus notes.

Crispy rice cereal provides the perfect textural contrast to the smooth, velvety filling.

Each bite delivers a refreshing twist on the traditional rice krispie treat.

The lemon adds a vibrant, sunny dimension that makes these treats irresistibly light and delectable.

Creamy, crunchy, and utterly addictive, these treats will become your new favorite summer dessert.

Let’s find out this simple yet spectacular recipe that promises to delight your taste buds.

Serving Lemon Cheesecake Rice Krispies at Parties

• Sunshine Slice Party: Perfect for summer gatherings, these treats bring zesty lemon brightness that'll make everyone smile at picnics, potlucks, and backyard celebrations.
• Dessert Café Charm: Elegantly slice these bars and serve alongside hot coffee or cold tea, creating a sophisticated yet playful dessert experience that feels restaurant-worthy.
• Kid-Friendly Fun Plate: Children will love the sweet-tangy flavor and fun texture, making these an excellent treat for birthday parties, school events, or after-school snacking.
• Gifting Gourmet Goodness: Wrap individual bars in clear cellophane with a cute ribbon, transforming these treats into delightful homemade gifts for friends, teachers, or neighbors.

Keep Lemon Cheesecake Rice Krispies Fresh Longer

• Cool Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate treats immediately after preparation to help the cheesecake layer set quickly and maintain optimal texture.
• Quick Storage Solution: Store these delightful bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing any moisture loss.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert a day before serving, allowing flavors to meld and cheesecake layer to firm up perfectly, enhancing overall taste experience.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to enjoy up to 3 weeks later – perfect for make-ahead dessert lovers who want a sweet treat anytime.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 218 kcal

Servings: 16

Lemon Cheesecake Rice Krispie Treats Ingredient Rundown

• Rice Krispies Cereal: Provides crispy texture and structure for the treats, choose fresh and crunchy cereal for maximum crunch.
• Mini Marshmallows: Creates gooey binding and sweetness, select fresh marshmallows for smooth melting.
• Butter: Helps marshmallows melt smoothly and adds rich flavor to the base.

• Cream Cheese, Sweetened Condensed Milk: Deliver tangy cheesecake essence and creamy richness, use room temperature cream cheese for smooth blending.
• Lemon Juice: Brings bright, zesty citrus notes and balances the sweetness, fresh squeezed juice works best.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall dessert depth with warm, sweet undertones.

• White Chocolate: Creates elegant drizzle and adds extra sweetness, use high-quality chocolate for smooth melting.
• Yellow Food Dye: Optional color boost for vibrant lemon appearance, use sparingly for natural look.
• Lemon Zest: Provides intense citrus aroma and decorative touch, use fresh lemon for most vibrant flavor.

Equipment for Making Lemon Cheesecake Rice Krispies

• Microwave-safe bowl: Essential for melting butter and marshmallows smoothly.
• 9×13: Crucial for creating and setting the Rice Krispie base.
• Spatula: Perfect for mixing ingredients and spreading the mixture evenly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Needed to blend cream cheese mixture until silky smooth.
• Cutting board: Useful for zesting lemon and cutting treats into squares.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Help ensure precise ingredient quantities.
• Knife: Great for cutting the final treats into neat bars.

How to Make Lemon Cheesecake Rice Krispie Treats

• Pan Preparation

Grab a 9×13″ baking dish and coat it with a light cooking spray layer to prevent any sticky situations.

• Butter Melting

Warm butter in a spacious microwave-safe bowl, using short bursts until it transforms into a smooth liquid.

• Marshmallow Magic

Blend most of the marshmallows into the melted butter, stirring carefully until they create a dreamy, creamy mixture.

• Cereal Integration

Fold Rice Krispies into the warm marshmallow blend, ensuring every crispy piece gets coated with sweet goodness.

• Base Formation

Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan, creating a sturdy foundation for your delightful treat.

• Cheesecake Layer

Whip cream cheese with condensed milk, lemon juice, and vanilla until the mixture becomes silky and luxurious.

• Topping Application

Spread the lemony cheesecake mixture over the cooled Rice Krispie base, creating a smooth and even surface.

• Chilling Time

Let the dessert rest in the refrigerator for several hours until the cheesecake layer sets perfectly.

• Final Touches

Slice into squares and drizzle with melted white chocolate, then sprinkle with fresh lemon zest for a burst of flavor.

Lemon Cheesecake Rice Krispie Tweaks and Tips

• Use low heat when melting marshmallows to prevent burning, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture that binds perfectly with Rice Krispies.
• Experiment with different citrus juices like lime or orange to create unique flavor profiles that complement the sweet cheesecake layer.
• For extra crunch, mix in toasted coconut flakes or chopped nuts into the Rice Krispie base before pressing into the pan.
• Try using dark or milk chocolate instead of white chocolate for a different visual and flavor contrast on top of the treats.
• These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, making them a perfect make-ahead dessert for parties or quick sweet cravings.

Zesty Lemon Cheesecake Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Zesty homemade lemon cheesecake rice krispie treats blend creamy cheesecake flavors with crispy marshmallow goodness. Classic dessert meets tangy citrus in this simple, delightful recipe you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups rice krispies cereal
• 6 cups mini marshmallows
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• 14 oz (397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• 3 tbsps (45 mL) butter
• ⅓ cup (80 mL) lemon juice
• 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract
• 1 drop yellow food dye (optional)
• ½ cup (85 g) white chocolate, for drizzling
• Lemon zest, for garnishing (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Spray a 9 × 13 inches baking pan thoroughly with cooking spray for effortless treat removal.
2. Butter Marshmallow Base: Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl, progressively adding marshmallows and heating until transformed into a luxurious, glossy mixture.
3. Cereal Integration: Fold Rice Krispies into the warm marshmallow blend, ensuring comprehensive coating while preserving some marshmallow chunks for textural intrigue.
4. Pan Layering: Gently press the cereal mixture into the prepared pan, creating an even foundation, and allow to cool completely at ambient temperature.
5. Cheesecake Filling: Whip cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and vanilla extract into a velvety smooth concoction, optionally enhancing with a hint of yellow food coloring for visual appeal.
6. Layering: Spread the cheesecake mixture uniformly over the cooled Rice Krispie base, ensuring a pristine, level surface.
7. Chilling: Refrigerate for 3-4 hours until the cheesecake layer sets firmly and becomes thoroughly chilled.
8. Finishing Touches: Slice into individual squares, drizzle with melted white chocolate, and garnish with fresh lemon zest for a vibrant, citrusy accent.

Notes

• Prevent Sticking: Thoroughly spray the entire pan with cooking spray to guarantee effortless treat removal and clean cutting.
• Master Marshmallow Melting: Heat butter and marshmallows slowly in short intervals to avoid burning, stirring consistently for a smooth, glossy texture.
• Preserve Textural Contrast: Fold in remaining marshmallows gently to create delightful pockets of marshmallow throughout the Rice Krispie base.
• Chill for Perfect Setting: Refrigerate for minimum 3-4 hours to ensure the cheesecake layer becomes completely firm and sliceable, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 218
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 72 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg