Homemade Star Crunch Cookies

With just 5 ingredients you can make a batch of chewy, no-bake treats inspired by Little Debbie Star Crunch cookies! No stove-top needed - simply microwave and enjoy a caramel-y & chocolate treat in under 10 minutes!

Love this recipe? Try my Big Batch 9x13 Star Crunch Bar Recipe or TikTok viral Homemade Cosmic Brownies next!

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Why I Love These Star Crunch Cookies:

1. You can microwave in ONE BOWL! No messy stove-top needed!
2. This recipe makes a small batch of 6 cookies, which makes them perfect for a quick after-school snack! You can also press the mixture into a loaf pan and cut into bars.
3. It's the perfect 10-minute no-bake dessert or snack when you are craving something sweet & salty but don't want to spend an hour in the kitchen.
4. I will argue that the texture is better in this homemade version; chewier and softer than the drier packaged version (which I swear they changed the recipe over the years).
5. If nothing else, you'll get that nostalgic feeling of childhood eating star crunches & Homemade Cosmic Brownies!

Tip! If you want to make a larger batch, you will need to use the stovetop and a large pot to melt the mixture. For a 9x9 pan, quadruple the recipe.

Ingredients to Make Star Crunch Cookies:

This is just an overview, click here to jump down to the full recipe card for full instructions.

• ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup Sea Salt Caramel Baking Chips (I highly recommend Hershey's, which I can usually find at Target or regular grocery stores. The offbrand doesn't taste as good and one reader reported that a different brand had a higher melting point and burned in the microwave).
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted or salted work, but not margarine)
• 2 cups crispy rice cereal

How to Make Homemade Star Crunch:

Step 1: Melt Chocolate/Caramel Chips

Add chocolate chips (¼ cup), caramel chips (½ cup), and butter (2 tablespoons) to a medium microwave-safe bowl (the bowl has to be big enough for the marshmallows to expand).

Microwave on 50% power (important!) for 1 minute. Mix, then microwave in 30-second increments at 50% power until mostly melted. My microwave takes 2 minutes total. It's okay if a few of the chips aren't fully melted, as they'll finish melting in the next step.

Important: If you're not using the Hershey's brand shown above, melt the caramel separate from the chocolate (or melt on low on the stove). One reader reported that they used a different brand (that had a higher melting point) and it burned quicker than the chocolate in the microwave.

Step 2: Add Marshmallows

Once melted & smooth, add the 2 cups of marshmallows (do not stir them in) and microwave for 1 minute at full power. The marshmallows will expand, so make sure you're using a large bowl. Mix chocolate/marshmallow mixture until smooth (again, it's okay if there are a few small unmelted chunks).

Step 3: Add Rice Cereal

Once smooth, stir in the 2 cups of rice cereal until fully coated. Allow to cool for about 2 minutes.

Step 4: Scoop & Shape

Once the mixture is warm to the touch (i.e. not too hot to touch) scoop mixture into ¼ cup scoops, roll into a ball (spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray first), and then flatten into discs. Do not pack together too tightly or your cookies may be too hard.

Place on parchment to harden.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Storage Instructions:

Store in an airtight container. When properly stored, these will stay fresh for several days.

Did you make this Little Debbie star crunch recipe? Be sure to leave a comment below with how you liked them!

4.94 from 113 votes

Homemade Star Crunch Cookies

Makes: 6 cookies

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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 7 minutes mins

With just 5 ingredients you can make a batch of chewy, no-bake cookies inspired by Little Debbie Star Crunch! No stove-top needed - simply microwave and enjoy a caramel-y & chocolate treat in under 10 minutes!

Recipe by Melissa Rose

Ingredients

 

1x2x3xAdd your own

• ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup salted caramel chips, Hershey brand (see notes section below if using a different brand)
• 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted or salted work, just not margarine
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 2 cups rice krispy cereal

⭐️ Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor afterwards and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.

Instructions

 

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1. Add ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, ½ cup salted caramel chips, and 2 tablespoons butter to a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 50% power (important!) for 1 minute. Stir, then microwave in 30 second increments at 50% power until melted (mine takes about 2 minutes total). Mix until mostly smooth (it's okay to have a few lumps).
2. Once melted & smooth, add 2 cups mini marshmallows - do not stir them in. Microwave for 1 minute.
3. Mix chocolate mixture until smooth (it's okay if a few of the marshmallows aren't fully melted), then stir in 2 cups rice krispy cereal. Mix until coated and let cool for a few minutes.
4. Once mixture is warm to the touch (i.e. not too hot to touch) scoop mixture in ¼ cup scoops, spray hands with nonstick cooking spray, roll into a ball, and then flatten into discs (don't press together too firmly or your cookies may get too hard). Place on parchment to harden.
5. If desired, you can also press mixture into a loaf pan and make them into bars.

Notes from Melissa

Brand of caramel chips: If you're not using the Hershey's brand shown in the post above, melt the caramel separately from the chocolate (or melt on the stove on low heat). One reader reported that they used a different brand (that had a higher melting point) and it burned quicker than the chocolate in the microwave.

Can I double the batch? If you want to double the batch you have two options:

1. Simply make the recipe twice in two separate bowls. You can't double the recipe in the same bowl because the marshmallows would expand too much (also, I've found that doubling in the microwave increases your changes of burning the chocolate mixture).
2. If you want a 9x13 pan of bars (or 24 cookies!) use my larger-batch recipe for 5-Ingredient Star Crunch Bars!

Storage Instructions: Store in an airtight container. When properly stored, these will stay fresh for several days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 209kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 152mg, Potassium: 57mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 755IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 3mg

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