Recipe

Vegan-Friendly Redstone Repeater

A sweet, sticky Minecraft-inspired candy bar with a crispy vanilla base, a chewy nut butter “repeater” center detail, and bright red “redstone” torches on top.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.8

A real photo of a homemade vegan candy bar styled like a Minecraft redstone repeater, cut into neat rectangles on a parchment-lined tray with a small bowl of red sugar nearby

Jump to Recipe

If you have a Minecraft fan in your house, you already know the truth: the snacks matter almost as much as the build. This Vegan-Friendly Redstone Repeater is my kitchen version of that iconic little gadget, but make it dessert. Think chewy vanilla crispy base, a little nut butter “repeater” detail on top, and bright red dots that look like redstone torches without tasting like food coloring regret.

It is sweet and simple on purpose. No gelatin, no fancy candy thermometers, and no “wait, where do I buy that?” ingredients. If you can stir, press, slice, and chill, you can make these.

A real photo of hands pressing a vegan marshmallow-like mixture into a rectangular pan lined with parchment paper

Why It Works

Kid-approved, party-ready: They slice clean, travel well, and look right at home on a game night table.
No gelatin needed: The base uses vegan marshmallows or marshmallow creme style spread, so it stays soft without animal products.
More than just sugar: Vanilla, a pinch of salt, and a pop of strawberry or raspberry in the redstone glaze keeps it from being one-note sweet.
Actually looks like a repeater: Cutting first, then decorating each bar gives you the two-torch detail on every piece instead of random stripes.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Room temp (best texture): Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment so the redstone dots stay neat.

Refrigerator: Up to 1 week. The bars get firmer when cold. Let sit at room temp for 10 to 15 minutes before serving for the chewiest bite.

Freezer: Wrap individual pieces tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or 30 to 60 minutes at room temp.

Common Questions

Is a “redstone repeater” a real food?

Nope. This is a fun, Minecraft-inspired treat that borrows the look and the name, then commits fully to being dessert.

What makes it vegan?

We use vegan butter and vegan marshmallows (or vegan marshmallow creme). Always check labels, since some marshmallows contain gelatin.

Also check your red decorations: some red sprinkles and sanding sugars contain carmine (E120) or are coated with confectioner’s glaze (shellac), which are not vegan.

One more edge case: some powdered sugars are processed using bone char (it is a processing method, not an ingredient). If that matters to you, look for brands labeled vegan.

Can I make these without food coloring?

Yes. Use freeze-dried strawberry or raspberry powder to tint and flavor the “redstone” glaze. It will be a more natural red and slightly speckled, which honestly looks pretty cool. “Natural red” shades vary by brand, so go by the color in your bowl, not the label.

My mixture is sticking to everything. Help.

Lightly grease your spatula and hands with a little neutral oil or vegan butter, then press. Sticky is normal here.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Usually yes. Use gluten-free crispy rice cereal and confirm your marshmallows and sprinkles are gluten-free.

Can I make this nut-free or school-safe?

Yes. Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter, and choose sprinkles labeled nut-free if you are packing these for school.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

8x8-inch baking pan (or 9x9 for slightly thinner bars)
Parchment paper
Medium saucepan
Silicone spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Small bowls (for the nut butter mix and red glaze)
Spoon or small piping bag (a zip-top bag works)
Sharp knife for clean slices

I love any recipe that feels like a tiny project but still lands in “Tuesday night doable.” The first time I tested these, I was aiming for something my future restaurant-self would roll their eyes at, in the best way. It ended up being the opposite: simple technique, loud flavor, and a finished treat that makes people smile before they even take a bite. Also, I have learned the hard way that if you promise kids a Minecraft snack, you better deliver the repeater look. Cutting first and decorating each bar is the trick that makes it work.

Vegan-Friendly Redstone Repeater

(4.8 Reviews)

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 1 hr 10 mins

Servings 16 bars

Ingredients

Crispy base

4 cups crispy rice cereal
3 tbsp vegan butter
1 (10 oz) bag vegan marshmallows (about 4 cups), or 1 1/2 cups vegan marshmallow creme
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp fine salt

Repeater details (chewy “slabs” and knobs)

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter or sunflower seed butter
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Redstone glaze (for the “torches”)

1 cup powdered sugar (choose vegan-labeled if bone char processing is a concern)
1 to 2 tbsp plant milk (oat or soy works great)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp freeze-dried strawberry or raspberry powder (optional but recommended)
6 to 8 drops red vegan food coloring (optional)
2 tbsp red sanding sugar or red sprinkles (make sure they are vegan)

Instructions

Prep the pan. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment, leaving overhang so you can lift the whole slab out later. Lightly grease the parchment.
Melt the marshmallow base. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the vegan butter. Add marshmallows (or marshmallow creme) and stir until smooth and glossy. Turn off the heat, then stir in vanilla and salt.
Add cereal. Fold in the crispy rice cereal until every piece is coated. Work quickly, but do not stress it. This is a friendly mess.
Press into the pan. Transfer mixture to the lined pan. With lightly greased hands or a greased spatula, press into an even layer. Do not compress it like you are packing a suitcase. Gentle pressing keeps the bars chewy, not brick-like.
Chill briefly. Refrigerate for 15 minutes so the surface firms up enough to decorate cleanly.
Mix the repeater detail. In a small bowl, stir together peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter), maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth and thick.
Slice first for the right “repeater” look. Lift the slab out using the parchment. Place on a cutting board and slice into 16 pieces (4 by 4). Set the bars back into the pan in the same pattern, leaving a tiny bit of space between pieces if you can. This is what makes each piece look like its own repeater, not one big striped sheet.
Add the “slabs” and knobs. Spoon the nut butter mixture into a zip-top bag and snip the corner, or use a small piping bag. On each bar, pipe two short “slabs” (about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide), then add two small mounds toward one end to mimic the repeater’s torches. You want 2 knobs per bar, for a total of 32 knobs if you are doing all 16 pieces. (If you used a 9x9 pan and your bars are thinner, make the slabs and knobs a touch smaller so they sit neatly.)
Make the redstone glaze. In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar with 1 tbsp plant milk and vanilla. Add more milk a teaspoon at a time until it is thick but pipeable. Mix in freeze-dried fruit powder for flavor. Add food coloring if you want it brighter. If it spreads or runs, whisk in a bit more powdered sugar.
Finish with redstone “torches.” Pipe or spoon a small dot of red glaze on top of each nut butter knob. Sprinkle with red sanding sugar or sprinkles while the glaze is still wet. Keep the rest of the bar unglazed so it reads more like a stone slab with red details.
Chill, then separate. Refrigerate 30 to 45 minutes, until set. Lift the whole parchment out, then gently separate and tidy up the bars. For clean edges, wipe the knife between any touch-ups.

A real photo of sliced vegan redstone repeater bars arranged on a wooden cutting board with a kitchen knife nearby

Nutrition information is estimated.

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