Lucky Charms bars are chewy, crunchy, and ready in 20 minutes. Make a big batch with simple pantry ingredients for a party, birthday, or your St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Why These Bars Always Work
- Flavor: These tasty cereal bars are made with buttery vanilla, sweet marshmallows, and crunchy cereal with pops of crispy charms.
- Why Make It: Lucky Charms treats are a quick and easy no-bake treat made with 5 simple ingredients.
- Time-Saver: This recipe has a microwave melt option to make it even quicker to prepare these bars.
- Serving: Cut them up small for parties or make them bigger for a lunchbox surprise. This variant on Rice Krispie treats adds extra fun to your St. Patrick’s Day celebration!
Ingredients Notes and Easy Swaps
- Lucky Charms Cereal: The charms add colorful and visual appeal, while the cereal provides just the right amount of crunch and neutral flavor to balance out the sweetness.
- Marshmallows: Use mini marshmallows for the best melting. Lucky Charms marshmallows will bump up the color and fun. If you can’t find them, replace with colored mini marshmallows.
- Butter: Salted butter gives this treat a sweet-salty combo. You can also use margarine or another butter substitute.
- Vanilla: Real vanilla extract is preferred, but use what you have on hand.
- Variations: Try using cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes, such as shamrocks. Add in mini chocolate chips, M&Ms, chopped walnuts, pecans, cashews, or macadamia nuts for a fun twist.
How to Make Lucky Charms Bars
- In a large pot, melt butter and marshmallows (full recipe below).
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Mix in the remaining ingredients and press into a prepared pan.
- Let it cool completely before cutting.
Microwave Option
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter on high power.
- Stir in the mini marshmallows, then microwave again (full recipe below).
- Add cereal to the mixture and stir, then add in the extra Lucky Charms marshmallows.
- Press into prepared pan and cool before cutting.
Pro Tips for Perfect Bars
- Be careful not to overcook the marshmallows. Overheating the marshmallows will make the bars hard instead of soft and chewy.
- If microwaving, stop as soon as the marshmallow mixture is smooth and stir-able, and finish melting by stirring until dissolved.
- Lightly grease your spoon, hands (or gloves), or a measuring cup before pressing into the pan, to prevent the cereal from sticking. Press gently for light and airy bars.
- Make them party perfect by pressing a handful of marshmallow charms on top while warm, so they stick to the top for a festive touch.
How to Store Leftovers
- Store leftovers in a sealed, airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If possible, do not refrigerate them so they stay soft.
- You can freeze Lucky Charms, but they taste best when fresh. To freeze, individually wrap in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 8 weeks.
Easy No Bake Dessert Wins
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Homemade Lucky Charms Bars
These no-bake Lucky Charms treats are a soft and chewy surprise for lunchboxes, parties, or St. Patrick's Day.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- 10 ounces miniature marshmallows 6 cups (1 small package)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 13 ounces Lucky Charms Cereal 8½ cups
- 2 cups Lucky Charms Marshmallows reserve a handful for the top (or use miniature colored marshmallows), optional
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 inch pan with foil and grease with butter or cooking spray.
To Melt Marshmallows – Stovetop Method:
- In a large pot on medium low, melt butter. Add miniature marshmallows and stir until marshmallows are completely melted.
- Remove from heat. Add vanilla and stir well.
To Melt Marshmallows – Microwave Method:
- In a large microwavable bowl, microwave butter on high for 45 seconds, or until melted. Add miniature marshmallows and stir.
- Microwave for 45 seconds and stir. Microwave for an additional 45 seconds and stir again. If marshmallows are not melted, microwave in 10-second increments, stirring after each interval until they are easy to dissolve by stirring.
- Add vanilla and stir well.
To Complete Process (Either Method)
- Add cereal to melted marshmallow mixture and combine. Gently stir in the Lucky Charms marshmallows (if using).
- Add mixture to the prepared pan and press down slightly (using the back of a greased spoon or measuring cup if needed).
- Cool. Using foil, remove squares from the pan and cut.
Notes
- Nutrition calculated with ordinary mini marshmallows.
- If using a 13-ounce package of mini marshmallows, remove 1½ cups. These can be used for add-ins.
- Use a 7-ounce jar of marshmallow crème (AKA ‘fluff) instead of the colored mini marshmallows if desired.
- Use a 9×9-inch pan for taller squares
Nutrition Information
Calories: 127 | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 493IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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