No-Bake Star Crunch Cookies Recipe

The Best No-Bake Star Crunch Cookies Recipe: Crispy Cosmic Treats

Sweet tooths find pure bliss in these no-bake star crunch cookies that deliver instant dessert satisfaction.

Chocolate and caramel dance together in a crispy, chewy symphony of flavors.

Kids and adults alike will fall head over heels for this simple treat.

Minimal ingredients mean maximum enjoyment without heating up the kitchen.

Crunchy cereal provides the perfect textural contrast to smooth melted chocolate.

Seriously addictive snacks come together in mere minutes with zero baking required.

Let’s whip up these irresistible cookies that’ll make you the neighborhood dessert hero.

No-Bake Star Crunch Cookies – Chocolate Caramel Crunch

  • Quick and Easy Treat: Whip up these delightful no-bake cookies in just 25 minutes with minimal cooking skills required.
  • Minimal Kitchen Mess: Prepare these star crunch cookies using only one saucepan, making cleanup a breeze and reducing dish-washing time.
  • Kid-Friendly Dessert: Children can help mix ingredients and shape cookies, creating a fun family cooking activity that doesn't involve hot ovens.
  • Portable Party Snack: Pack these portable treats for picnics, school lunches, or potlucks since they travel well and stay intact at room temperature.

What’s Inside No-Bake Star Crunch Cookies

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Rich, creamy ingredient that helps melt and bind other ingredients together, use unsalted for better flavor control.
  • Caramel Bits: Sweet, golden morsels that add deep caramel flavor, choose high-quality brand for best taste.
  • Chocolate Chips: Smooth chocolate component that enhances overall richness, select semi-sweet or milk chocolate based on preference.
  • Milk: Liquid that helps create smooth, creamy texture, whole milk recommended for better consistency.
Binding Ingredients:
  • Mini Marshmallows: Soft, sweet ingredient that helps create chewy texture and provides natural sweetness, use fresh marshmallows for best results.
  • Rice Krispies: Crispy cereal that adds crunch and structure to the cookies, ensure cereal is fresh and crisp.
Optional Garnish:
  • Parchment Paper: Non-stick surface for easy cookie preparation and cooling, helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup simple.

No-Bake Directions for Star Crunch Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Sheets

Cover two half-sheet pans with parchment paper, ensuring full surface coverage for easy cookie placement and removal.

Step 2: Create Melting Mixture

In a large saucepan over low heat, combine:
  • Butter
  • Caramel bits
  • Chocolate chips
  • Milk

Stir gently and consistently for approximately 15 minutes until ingredients blend into a silky, uniform mixture.

Step 3: Incorporate Marshmallows

Add mini marshmallows to the melted mixture, continuing to cook on low heat.

Stir occasionally for about 5 minutes until marshmallows completely dissolve and create a smooth, glossy texture.

Step 4: Mix in Cereal

Remove saucepan from heat and fold in Rice Krispies.

Gently mix until cereal is evenly coated with the sweet, gooey mixture, ensuring each piece is thoroughly incorporated.

Step 5: Form Cookies

Scoop ¼ cup portions of the mixture onto prepared parchment-lined sheets.

Let cookies rest for 5 minutes, then carefully press each portion into a flat disc shape, smoothing edges for a uniform appearance.

Step 6: Cool and Store

Allow cookies to cool completely at room temperature.

Once set, transfer to an airtight container, where they will stay fresh for up to one week.

Make Star Crunch Like A Pro

  • Use parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure easy removal and clean-up of your no-bake cookies.
  • Maintain low heat when combining ingredients to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Fold Rice Krispies carefully to keep their crunch and avoid breaking the cereal while ensuring even coating.
  • Press cookies into disc shapes using light pressure to create uniform, attractive treats that hold together well.
  • Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness and prevent moisture buildup.

Storing Star Crunch Cookies Without Crumbling

  • Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
  • Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2-3 months for best quality.
  • Remove cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
  • If cookies become soft, briefly place in a preheated 250°F oven for 2-3 minutes to crisp up Rice Krispies.

Sweet Partners For Star Crunch

  • Boost Sweet Sensation: Pair crisp vanilla ice cream alongside these gooey Star Crunch Cookies for a delightful temperature contrast.
  • Elevate Beverage Experience: Serve cold whole milk or rich hot chocolate to complement the chocolatey, caramel-filled cookie's sweetness and enhance overall flavor profile.
  • Sophisticated Flavor Combination: Introduce a small glass of coffee liqueur or caramel-infused espresso to highlight the dessert's deep, rich caramel and chocolate notes.
  • Texture Harmony Pairing: Add crunchy toasted almonds or pecans on the side to provide a nutty counterpoint to the soft, chewy cookie texture.
  • Gluten-Free Crunch Cookies: Replace Rice Krispies with gluten-free crispy rice cereal, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Vegan Star Treats: Swap butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and substitute caramel bits with vegan caramel alternative or maple syrup.
  • Nutty Chocolate Clusters: Mix in chopped almonds or pecans for extra crunch and nutty flavor, creating a more textured cookie variation.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free chocolate chips and monk fruit caramel substitute to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the classic cookie taste.

FAQs

  • Can I use regular marshmallows instead of mini marshmallows?

Yes, you can chop regular marshmallows into smaller pieces to substitute mini marshmallows in this recipe.

  • Do I need any special equipment to make these cookies?

No, you only need a large saucepan, parchment paper, and a basic measuring cup to create these no-bake star crunch cookies.

  • Are these cookies kid-friendly to make?

Absolutely! Kids can help with mixing ingredients and shaping cookies, but adult supervision is recommended when working near the stovetop.

  • How firm do these cookies get after cooling?

These cookies will have a soft, chewy texture with a slight crispness from the Rice Krispies, maintaining a gooey caramel-chocolate consistency.

Print
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No-Bake Star Crunch Cookies Recipe

No-Bake Star Crunch Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Irresistible no-bake star crunch cookies deliver sweet caramel magic with crispy rice cereal and chocolate coating. Chocolate lovers will savor these quick, simple treats perfect for satisfying sudden dessert cravings.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Ingredients:

  • 10 oz mini marshmallows
  • 10 oz mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 11 oz caramel bits
  • 6 cups (170 grams) Rice Krispies

Liquid and Fat Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup milk

Preparation Ingredients:

(None)


Instructions

  1. Prepare two parchment-lined baking sheets, ensuring a clean, non-stick surface for your no-bake treats.
  2. Combine butter, caramel bits, chocolate chips, and milk in a large saucepan, gently melting over low heat while stirring periodically until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
  3. Introduce mini marshmallows to the melted mixture, continuing to cook on low heat and stirring intermittently until the marshmallows dissolve completely and blend seamlessly.
  4. Remove the saucepan from heat and fold in Rice Krispies cereal, carefully coating each crisp morsel with the decadent chocolate-caramel mixture.
  5. Using a measured scoop, deposit ¼ cup portions onto the prepared baking sheets, allowing the mixture to rest briefly before delicately pressing each mound into a smooth, rounded disc.
  6. Leave the cookies to cool and solidify at room temperature, ensuring they develop a perfectly set texture.
  7. Once completely cooled, transfer the star crunch cookies to an airtight container, where they will maintain their delightful crunch and flavor for up to seven days.

Notes

  • Swap caramel bits with dairy-free caramel for vegan or lactose-intolerant friends without losing that rich, gooey sweetness.
  • Use low-heat technique carefully to prevent burning chocolate and caramel, which can quickly turn bitter and ruin the entire batch.
  • Work quickly when shaping cookies to ensure even distribution of ingredients and maintain the perfect chewy texture before mixture hardens.
  • Consider using silicone mats instead of parchment paper for easier cookie removal and more consistent cooling surface.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 178
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 75 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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