National Rice Krispie Treat Day 🥣

Overview

National Rice Krispie Treat Day, observed annually on September 18th, is a sweet celebration dedicated to the iconic no-bake dessert. This simple yet beloved confection is made from just three main ingredients: Rice Krispies cereal, melted marshmallows, and butter, creating a deliciously chewy and crispy treat enjoyed by generations for its ease of preparation and nostalgic appeal.

Origin and story

The treats were invented in 1939 by Mildred Day and Malitta Jensen at the Kellogg Company's home economics department.

They were originally created as a fundraiser for the Camp Fire Girls.

Quick facts

• DateSeptember 18
• TypeFood / Dessert
• Great forFoodies, Chocolate lovers, Home bakers

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Ways to celebrate

Rice Krispies Treats exist because a Kansas City fundraiser needed a quick answer, and a Kellogg's recipe tester had one ready to test in the field.

Meet the inventor and her first name for it

Around 1939, Kellogg's recipe tester Mildred Day created the treats with colleague Malitta Jensen, originally calling them "Marshmallow Squares" after deciding marshmallows would make a less messy binder than an earlier puffed-wheat-and-molasses recipe they'd seen.

Know how the Camp Fire Girls made it famous

Soon after, a Kansas City chapter of the Camp Fire Girls asked Kellogg's for fundraiser ideas, so the company sent Day to Kansas City, where she worked nearly 16-hour days for two weeks straight making batches for the girls to sell door-to-door — a trial run that proved the treat was a hit.

Read the fuller history

Helpful resources:

• Who Made the First Rice Krispies Treat? (The Awl)

Did you know?

It took until 1941 for Kellogg's to print the recipe on the back of Rice Krispies cereal boxes for the first time — only then did "Rice Krispies Treats" become the name everyone recognizes today.

Fun facts

• The treats were invented in 1939 by Mildred Day and Malitta Jensen at the Kellogg Company's home economics department.
• They were originally created as a fundraiser for the Camp Fire Girls.
• In 2010, the world's largest Rice Krispie Treat, weighing 10,600 pounds, was made by the Michigan State University Kellogg Center.

Sources and attribution

Who Made the First Rice Krispies Treat? (The Awl)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is National Rice Krispie Treat Day?

It is observed on September 18 each year.

What is National Rice Krispie Treat Day?

National Rice Krispie Treat Day, observed annually on September 18th, is a sweet celebration dedicated to the iconic no-bake dessert. This simple yet beloved confection is made from just three main ingredients: Rice Krispies cereal, melted marshmallows, and butter, creating a deliciously chewy and crispy treat enjoyed by generations for its ease of preparation and nostalgic appeal.

How do people celebrate National Rice Krispie Treat Day?

Make a batch and thank Kellogg's recipe tester Mildred Day, who created the treat around 1939 and personally worked 16-hour days helping Kansas City's Camp Fire Girls sell it as a fundraiser.

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