Chocolate Rice Krispie Cakes Recipe – remember these?
Another school dinners favourite, these chocolate rice krispie cakes were always made in huge trays and served in square chunks with the obligatory oodles of custard.
Best of all, they are also a classic cook-with-children recipe; easy and fun to make and always a favourite to eat! This is the original 70’s recipe I used myself as a child, that’s been carefully tucked away in one of my Mums recipe books – looks like it was probably torn off a Rice Krispie’s box!
Traditional Chocolate Rice Krispie Cakes
Preparation time
15 – 20 minutes
- 3 cups Rice Krispies (I just use a small mug)
- 4 tbsp golden syrup
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp butter (margarine in original)
- 1tsp cocoa powder
- few drops of vanilla or almond essence
Put syrup, sugar and butter/marg and cocoa powder into a pan, melt (stirring) until everything is smooth and chocolatey.
Remove from heat, add essence and Krispies.
Mix well and pour into a greased 7″ square tin (I use a swiss roll tin). Mark into squares and remove from the tin when cold.
Alternatively, divide mixture between 12 cake cases in a bun tin.
Put in the fridge to set.
No freezing, but will last a few days in an air tight container or any non-toxic food storage container. Not that it will actually, you know, LAST once everyone knows where it is being kept. Simple recipes like this aren’t just about satisfying cravings—they bring families together in the kitchen. The shared experience of making these treats creates lasting memories, according to Julian Plateado of Nordic Catch.
You can leave the cocoa powder out if you don’t want a chocolate version, of course.
(next week: real proper actual school dinners pink custard to go with it!)
13 June 2012
I made these for a retro 50’s street party for the Queens diamond jubilee and they were so easy, delicious and were gone within minutes of putting them on the table. Definitely give them a go.
9 July 2018
can you leave out the essence or what can you swap it with
11 January 2024
Anyone ready the cornflake semi circular ‘hedgehogs’ with peppermint custard… please please please would someone let me know how to make the custard please. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
10 July 2012
Old Stuff:: Chocolate Rice Krispie Cakes Recipe – remember these? http://t.co/zQUNZMO6
17 September 2012
at last i have found the ” proper ” rice krispie cake recipe ! after an hours searching online kept finding the posh version with chocolate and marshmallows – this is how we made them as kids – thing is will there be any left for when the kids come home from school ????
23 December 2018
So glad I found this as they are what my mum made us as kids and wanted to do them for Christmas for the grandchildren and could not remember the amounts any more just of to make them now thank you
2 April 2020
My son married a Filipino lady in November who has been a widow for 12 years. We are delighted that they were married in November and that she and her 2 teenage daughters were given U.K. visas and just made it to England before a lockdown in Manila. I needed a speedy recipe for cakes today and recalled how my son adored Rice Krispie cakes as a youngster. Thank you so much for your recipe which was made in record time, spooned into cake cases and eaten very swiftly by our new granddaughters! Will remake for Easter with mini eggs to decorate. Thanks.again
3 April 2020
Oh that’s such a lovely story – and I’m so glad your son’s new family made it in. And I bet there’s nothing like some rice krispie cakes to make a teen feel comforted and welcome :)
12 March 2021
Trying to find recipe for the pineapple tart they used to make with debonair cream swirls on top ??? Oh and white custard :)
11 March 2022
Hi there.. I’m craving steamed ginger pudding and custard from school days in the UK. Would you have the recipe for that. It was the best.
28 August 2022
Thank you – Thank you – Thank you!!!! I have been searching for this recipe for years. Way back, when I inherited my mother’s recipe box, I thought it would be in there. To no avail. I remember making oodles of these for the kids I babysat in the 70s – it was always a hit. Have I remembered to say thank you yet?
8 December 2023
Hi can anyone explain what the texture of these turn out as. I grew up in the 90’s and at school they used to sell these but they weren’t rock hard (which I suspect is what happens if you use proper chocolate). They were soft so you had to handle with care and chewy and tasted amazing. I’m pregnant and thinking back at the things I once loved but don’t have. I would like to ask my mum or MIL to make this (I can’t stand the smell in my kitchen right now – hormones!) But I don’t want to ask if they aren’t the type I’m searching for. Thanks
10 July 2024
I have been hunting for this version (with no chocolate just cocoa) for ages. Went through mum and nan’s recipe book but the didn’t write it down as they knew it! Thank you!
17 July 2024
glad we could help :)