Homemade Star Crunch Cookies
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
These no bake Homemade Star Crunch Cookies are a copycat Little Debbie snack that’s chewy, chocolatey, caramel-filled, and loaded with gooey marshmallows and rice krispies cereal. They’re a homemade spin of the nostalgic treat but thicker, softer, and so much better.
The combimation of melted caramel, chocolate, and marshmallow coasts every by of the rice krispies cereal and creates the perfect chewy texture once chilled.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No baking required
- Rich chocolate caramel flavor
- Chewy and crispy texture
- Easy to make
- Simple ingredients
Ingredients
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all ingredients and quantities.
Butter – I used salted butter, but unsalted butter works great too. The butter can be cold or room temperature to use it.
Cocoa powder – This is what you need for that chocolate flavor.
Sweetened condensed milk – This helps sweeten the cookies and creates a creamy mixture.
Caramels – I use the Werther’s soft caramels for the star crunch cookies. I think the chewy caramels from Werther’s would work perfect as well.
Marshmallows – What’s a star crunch cookie without that gooey texture? You need these mini marshmallows to make that happen!
Rice Krispies cereal – These create the crunch and structure of the cookies. The amount of rice krispies determines the thickness of your cookies.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add mini chocolate chips after the mixture cools slightly.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the tops of the set up cookies.
- Use cocoa krispies for extra chocolate flavor!
- Add chopped peanuts for some crunch.
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top.
NOTE: This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations
How to Make Star Crunch Cookies
Prep Work: Line the baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 1: In a large saucepan, melt the butter and cocoa powder together over medium low heat. Whisk until smooth.
Step 2: Whisk in the sweetened condensed milk until combined. Then add in the caramels and stir with a wooden spoon until melted and smooth.
Step 3: Add in the vanilla extract, salt, and marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows are completely melted.
Step 4: Remove from the heat and quickly stir in the Rice Krispies cereal until fully coated.
Step 5: Grease a cookie scoop and scoop the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly.
Step 6: Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour until the cookies are firm.
Tips for Best Results
- Grease the cookie scoop to prevent sticking.
- Don’t crank up the heat or the carame mixture can scorch.
- Slightly flatten the cookies so they look more like the classic Star Crunch treats.
How to Store and Freeze
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For a firmer texture, keep them in the refrigerator.
To freeze the cookies, place them in a freezer container or freezer bag with parchment paper in between the layers for up to 2 months. Let the cookeis thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but mini marshmallows melt faster and more evenly.
No, but popping them in the refrigerator helps them firm up faster and stay firmer while being stored.
If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a rating below and also share it on Instagram, and tag me! You can also find me on Facebook and stay up to date on recipe releases by joining the Newsletter!
Star Crunch Cookies
SAVE THIS RECIPE
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 21 Werther’s soft caramels, 4.51 ounce bag
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 10 ounces mini marshmallows, about 6 cups
- 5 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Instructions
- Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Lightly spray the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large saucepan, add the 1/2 cup salted butter and 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Place over medium-low heat and whisk until the butter is melted.
- Add the 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk and whisk until well combined.
- Add in the unwrapped 21 Werther’s soft caramels. Swap the whisk for a spatula and stir occasionally until the caramels melt into a smooth mixture. The mixture may look broken, but it will come together as the caramels melt.
- Add in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 10 ounces mini marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows is completely melted and combined.
- Remove from the heat. Working quickly, add in the 5 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal and stir until completely coated with the mixture
- Spray a large cookie scoop with nonstick cooking spray. Scoop the cookies and drop them onto the prepared cookie sheets. Flatten slightly.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to firm up.
- Remove from the cookie sheets and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
(Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.)