No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies

Christmas M&Ms and sprinkles top melted vanilla chocolate and peanut butter-coated Rice Krispies cereal and mini marshmallows in this No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies recipe. Often served chilled, these cookies will switch it up at holiday parties!

This no-bake Christmas cookie with peanut butter is a fun holiday take on the classic avalanche cookies recipe.

Christmas Crunch cookies are the perfect addition to any cookie exchange or holiday baking box. They come together effortlessly. The Christmas sprinkles and M&Ms add a fun splash of color. The crunch is a nice change from your basic chocolate chip base cookie.

My family really enjoyed these Christmas Crunch Cookies for multiple reasons. There is a fun interplay of textures between the fluffy marshmallow and the crispy Rice Krispies. And who can resist that white chocolate and peanut butter coating? It kinda reminds me of the white chocolate Reese’s trees flavor: sweet, mild, and addicting! Plus, any cookie topped with M&Ms is a win!

How to Make an Avalanche Cookie Recipe with a Christmas Flair

This Christmas Crunch Cookies recipe is a great no-bake beginner’s recipe that is perfect for practicing melting chocolate and reading measurements. The chocolate can be melted in the microwave or on the stove. The measurements are pretty forgiving. Decorating with sprinkles and M&M’s can let any budding baker’s creativity soar!

Ingredients for No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies

• 12 ounces white chocolate caking chips
• 2/3 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
• 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal
  • We use the off-brand Rice Crisps.
• 1/2 cup Christmas M&Ms, minis or regular size. We had a bit of both!
• Christmas sprinkles

Kitchen Equipment Ideas for Better Success

Sauce Pan– A large saucepan works well for this recipe. Then you can melt the baking chips, stir in the peanut butter, and add all other ingredients to the same pan. If you are like my kids, the more dirty dishes there are, the worse the dish. LOL! Just kidding, but no one wants to do more dishes than necessary.

Parachment Paper– It’s ideal to use parchment paper with this cookie recipe. Once cooled and hardened, the cookies release easily from parchment.

Large Stainless Steel Baking Sheets– These heavy-duty baking sheets are perfect for this recipe. They are sturdy for easy transport to the fridge, and the rimmed edge keeps any sprinkles from landing on the floor.

Cookie Scoop– A cookie scoop works great when portioning out Christmas Crunch Cookies. This set is excellent for making a variety of cookies in different sizes. I would recommend the 2 TBSP size for avalanche cookies.

Instructions for No-Bake Christmas Crunch Cookies

First, in a large saucepan, melt the vanilla-flavored baking chips over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent the chocolate from burning or seizing.

Once the chocolate is melted, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the peanut butter until thoroughly combined.

Next, mix in the marshmallows. Note: They are not supposed to melt. We want them to remain whole for light and fluffy pockets within the cookies.

Then gently fold in the Rice Krispies until everything is evenly coated in the candy coating.

Next, scoop the cookies (with a 2 TBSP cookie scoop) onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Slightly pat down the tops and sprinkle with M&Ms and sprinkles.

Finally, chill the cookies for 10-20 minutes until the coating is cooled and set. Christmas Crunch Cookies are best enjoyed chilled. Enjoy!

Storing Christmas Crunch or Avalanche Cookies

These chocolate-coated cookies are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They will melt if exposed to heat!

Other Fun Cookie Recipe to Try!

This Easy Brookie Cookie recipe is two treats in one: Brownies and a Chocolate Chip Cookie! They are easy and a delight to the senses!

Next is a family favorite cookie recipe. Big, delicate, and full of chocolate, this Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe checks all the boxes for the perfect chocolate chip cookie! With this foolproof recipe, these cookies are moist, not dry or cakey. 

Bisquick White Chocolate Trash Cookies are sweet with white chocolate chips, savory with toffee bits, and salty with pretzels, baked in a trusted Bisquick base for tasty yet perfectly soft cookies!

Classic Sugar Cookie: There is really nothing better than the taste of a soft and buttery sugar cookie. This recipe makes the perfect cut-out cookie dough. It’s easy to handle and doesn’t spread too much when baked.

Frosted Cookies and Cream Cookies are delightful, Oreo-infused cookies. Served chilled, it’s almost like eating cookies-and-cream ice cream in cookie form. So good!!