Anyone else absolutely LOVE rice krispie treats when you were little? They were the ultimate dessert, and I love it anytime anyone would jazz them up and do something a little different…you know, like adding peanut butter, chocolate, or even butterscotch chips. In fact, remember when I made my peanut butter rice krispie treats almost 10 years ago? SO DANG GOOD.
Today, I’m reminding you of my extra special birthday cake rice krispie treats because there’s always something to celebrate. Don’t you think? They’re made with brown rice krispies, no marshmallows (!!!), and are naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, speckled with sprinkles, and drizzled with a white chocolate glaze. Gluten-free and vegan friendly, and so fun to make with the kiddos.

Ingredients in healthy birthday cake rice krispie treats
The base of these gluten free birthday cake rice krispie treats is just 5 simple ingredients to keep them perfectly sweet and bursting with birthday cake flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cashew butter: be sure to use an all natural, creamy cashew butter. I like using cashew butter because it’s relatively neutral in flavor. This is what holds the bars together without any mini marshmallows!
- Maple syrup: we’re sweetening these birthday cake rice krispies with pure maple syrup. You can also use honey or brown rice syrup if you’d like.
- Coconut oil: you’ll need a bit of coconut oil to give these bars the right texture and for the white chocolate drizzle. You can also use butter or vegan butter.
- Vanilla extract: for a little boost of flavor.
- Crispy brown rice cereal: note that traditional Rice Krispies cereal is not certified gluten-free, so be sure to check your box and use a brown rice krispies cereal alternative that’s gluten free if need be.
- Rainbow sprinkles: to make these birthday cake flavored! I like to use this all natural brand but this one is another great all natural sprinkles brand.
- White chocolate chips: you’ll just need a couple tablespoons of white chocolate chips for the drizzle. YUM.

Optional ingredient swaps
There are a few recipe substitutions you can make that will still give you delicious treat!
- For the nut butter: feel free to use peanut, tahini, almond or sunflower butter in place of the cashew butter.
- For the coconut oil: you may use melted butter or vegan butter.
- For the sweetener: honey or brown rice syrup would also work!
Can I make them vegan?
Yes! Simply skip the white chocolate drizzle (they’ll still be delicious!) and they will be vegan and dairy-free.

Birthday cake rice krispies in 4 steps
- Mix the wet ingredients. Stir together the cashew butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla in a medium pot over low heat until smooth.
- Mix & shape the bars. Fold the crispy rice cereal and sprinkles into the wet ingredients, and stir until the cereal is completely coated. Pour the mixture into an 8×8 inch pan lined with parchment paper and evenly flatten the top with a spatula.
- Drizzle the up. Melt the white chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl or saucepan, then drizzle it over the bars and top with more sprinkles.
- Freeze, cut & devour. Place the pan in the freezer for 20-30 minutes or until the white chocolate drizzle has solidified. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Storing & freezing tips
- To store: Store these bars covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. When you’re ready to eat them, just let them come to room temp for about 5 minutes so that they soften a bit.
- To freeze: yes, you can freeze this birthday cake krispie treats! Place them in the freezer for up to 2 months in an airtight container. I’d recommend separating the bars with parchment wax paper as well. When you’re ready to eat them, let the bars thaw in the fridge and then bring them to room temperature as described above.
More no bake treats you’ll love
- Sweet and Salty Chocolate Tahini Rice Krispie Treats
- No Bake High Protein Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
- Crispy Chickpea Chocolate Clusters
- Homemade Healthy Peanut Butter Cups (low carb, vegan, gluten free)
- Birthday Cake Cookie Dough Energy Bites
Get all of my no bake desserts here!
I hope you love these easy no bake birthday cake rice krispie treats! If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Birthday Cake Rice Krispie Treats (gluten-free)

Ingredients
- ¾ cup natural creamy cashew butter
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt (if your cashew butter isn’t already salted)
- 2 ½-3 cups crispy brown rice cereal*
- ⅓ cup rainbow sprinkles
- For the white chocolate drizzle:
- 2-3 tablespoons white chocolate chips*
- 1-2 teaspoons coconut oil
- To garnish:
- 1 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place a medium pot over low heat and add in cashew butter, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well combined, about 1 minute.
- Next add in crispy brown rice cereal and sprinkles; stir until combined and cereal is completely coated. Pour into the prepared pan, and use a spatula to flatten the top so it is even.
- Next make the white chocolate drizzle topping by adding white chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30 second intervals, stirring in-between, until chocolate is completely melted. You can also melt the chocolate in a small saucepan over very low heat if you prefer. Drizzle melted white chocolate over the bars and evenly sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sprinkles.
- Place the pan in the freezer for 20-30 minutes or until the bars are completely cool and the white chocolate drizzle has solidified. Cut into 16 bars and enjoy!
- Bars should be kept covered in the fridge and will stay good for up to 1 week. Take bars out 5 minutes before you are ready to serve to ensure they aren't too crunchy! They soften up at room temp.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on September 18th, 2020, and republished on August 6th, 2025.

Hi! Must I say that these look amazing! Ive been eating low carb for the last 15 months and ready to transition to having a higher amount of carbs, so I started searching for a lot of clean eating blogs and I am so glad that I found yours! Can’t wait to try all of your tasty recipes.
Hi! I hope you find recipes here that you love!
My husband doesn’t like white chocolate (and somehow I married him anyway), so the first batch I made with cashew butter and omitted the white chocolate. The taste was good but the sprinkles went everywhere. So, of course, I made them again, but using tahini and a dark chocolate drizzle. The second batch is so rich – it tastes like a pastry shop dessert – and we are obsessed with them. I keep them in the freezer so we can hopefully eat them a little more slowly…
Perfect! Love the idea of using tahini and adding dark chocolate 🙂 so glad you both enjoyed!
So amazing! I followed it to a T with no modifications. This recipe is helping me curb my sugar craving when I can grab this is a healthier alternative. Best dessert ever that makes you feel like every day is your birthday!
Amazing! So glad you loved these!
These are my new favorite kind of Rice Krispie treats! I cut them into squares and keep them in the freezer. Perfect after meal treat!!!!
Made these for my husband’s birthday and he was a huge fan! He said they were BETTER than Rice Krispie treats. I would have to agree! Will definitely be making them again.
When/where do you add in the 1/3 cup of sprinkles?
Thank you for the catch! Add them in Step 3 with the cereal 🙂
Can I cut back on the maple syrup? Or will that cause an issue with the texture if there isn’t enough liquid?
I’m afraid they’ll be too dry!
Such a delicious twist on Rice Krispie treats!! I’m not a huge fan of marshmallows so personally I think these are even better 🙂
Super tasty!! Kids loved it , fun after school treat
Absolutely!